Wetland Management Research Articles

Enhancing nitrogen removal through macrophyte harvest and installation of woodchips-based floating beds in surface-flow constructed wetlands

Wetland management maintains nitrogen (N) removal capacity in mature and overgrown constructed wetlands (CWs). We evaluated whether CW management by macrophyte harvesting, and subsequent installation of woodchips-based floating beds (WFBs) planted with Glyceria maxima and Filipendula ulmaria improved N removal. In sixteen heavily overgrown experimental CWs, we applied four treatments: i) only macrophyte harvesting, ii) 5% of the harvested-CW surface covered with WFBs, iii) 20% WFBs cover, and iv) a control treatment (heavily overgrown). N removal was determined in all wetlands at nine occasions. Plant biomass accrual, N assimilation, and denitrification genes nirS, nirK, nosZI and nosZII on plant roots and woodchips from WFBs were estimated. Macrophyte harvesting improved N removal of heavily overgrown CWs, whereas subsequent WFB installation only sometimes improved N removal. Mean N removal efficiencies (± standard deviation) overall were 41 ± 15 %, 45 ± 20 %, 46 ± 16 % and 27 ± 8.3 % for treatments i to iv, respectively. Relative biomass production, root length and root surface area for G.maxima (mean ± standard deviation: 234 ± 114 %, 40 ± 6.5 cm, 6308 ± 1059 cm2g-1, respectively) were higher than those for F. ulmaria (63 ± 86 %, 28 ± 12 cm, 3131 ± 535 cm2g-1, respectively) whereas biomass N assimilation was higher for F. ulmaria (1.8 ± 0.9 gNm−2 of WFB) than for G. maxima (1.3 ± 0.5 gNm−2 of WFB). Denitrification gene abundance was higher on plant roots than on woodchips while G. maxima hosted higher root denitrification gene abundance than F. ulmaria. We conclude that macrophyte harvesting improves N removal in heavily overgrown CWs. WFBs installation has the potential to support plant growth and denitrification in surface-flow constructed wetlands. Further studies need to evaluate the long-term effects of macrophyte harvesting and WFB installation on N removal in CWs.

Lay of the (wet)land: manager practices and challenges in wetland revegetation

Despite providing essential ecosystem services, wetlands are one of the most threatened ecosystems worldwide. Revegetation of wetlands is a critical aspect of restoring ecosystem services, yet little is known about common practices, the challenges managers face, or what resources they require to improve revegetation outcomes. We assessed current revegetation practices, obstacles, and potential solutions by surveying wetland managers in the Intermountain West of the United States, a vast, ecologically diverse region containing hundreds of millions of hectares of public lands. Survey results indicate that managers revegetate wetlands for erosion control, invasion resistance, enhanced wildlife habitat, and improved water quality despite small budgets and limited personnel. Drought, invasive species, and the timing and availability of water are the biggest ecological challenges that managers face and point to the need to prioritize wetland revegetation research to improve revegetation practices in a changing climate with dwindling water resources. Additionally, access to genetically‐ and species‐diverse native plant materials is a concern for many managers. To address these challenges, managers need additional financial and human resources, accessible information relating to revegetation methods, and greater collaboration with research institutions and native plant vendors. Our findings underscore the need for funding entities to prioritize money for wetland revegetation efforts, a natural resource management area that has been neglected relative to many other ecosystems. The results of this study provide insight into challenges and potential solutions for wetland revegetation in regions of the world, such as the western United States, where increasing water scarcity threatens wetlands and their restoration.

Extreme precipitation events trigger abrupt vegetation succession in emerging coastal wetlands

Climate change is projected to increase extreme precipitation events in coming decades. Although extreme precipitation events have been reported to cause vegetation degradation, how they affect replacement of dominant species in vegetation succession remains poorly understood. By analyzing two decades’ vegetation dynamics in emerging coastal wetlands on four fluvial islands, we investigate the roles of extreme precipitation events in the shifts of dominant vegetation. We found that shifts in the dominant vegetation from Suaeda salsa to Phragmites australis were abrupt, rather than gradual. Phragmites coverage varied in a nonlinear, threshold manner along flooding gradients across the islands, being very high where flooding frequency was below the threshold flooding frequency (18–40%, depending on island) and minimal elsewhere. Although with time sedimentation lowered flooding frequency to below these thresholds, abrupt shifts from Suaeda to Phragmites did not take place until extremely wet years occurred, likely because extreme precipitation was necessary to decrease salinity stress and to allow this relatively salt-intolerant plant to proliferate. Our findings reveal that extreme precipitation events may play a key role in triggering abrupt vegetation succession and provide a novel addition to previous views that vegetation succession in emerging coastal wetlands is driven primarily by sedimentation-mediated flooding changes and plant-plant interactions. Combining extreme climate events with local hydrological conditions is thus critical for vegetation management in coastal wetlands (including those under restoration) in an increasingly anthropogenic hydrosphere.

Review of soil form and wetness indicators for wetland delineation in South Africa

Wetland delineation in South Africa incorporates soil form and soil wetness indicators, requiring formal soil classification and description of soil redox morphology. The current wetland definition used administratively in South Africa focuses on saturated (hydric) soil signatures within plant root zones. Saturated soil horizons deeper than plant root zones fall outside the 50 cm criterion in the local approach as well as the accepted zone in USA literature. The field of hydropedology accommodates the classification of the various hydrologically active horizons and provides a tool for the handling of horizons with ephemeral wetness. This approach has been variably accepted by mandated authorities in South Africa. The South African soil classification system has evolved through three editions over the past 50 years while retaining the same redox morphology understanding. However, despite the concepts and context of redox morphology having been thoroughly technically adopted by soil scientists, this is not the case within the wetland research and management environment. This especially because the classification system is structured differently from other international systems, and the South African landscape is geologically ancient with mature soils, introducing challenges to resource assessment specialists who rely on international norms and approaches for wetland assessment. This paper reviews the various components of soil classification and redox morphology based on Fe and Mn minerals within the context of the South African soil classification system, the field of hydropedology and wetland delineation indicators. We provide a qualitative correlation between the various diagnostic horizons and materials in the system and their related redox morphology contexts that are relevant to wetland assessment, delineation, and protection in South Africa. This paper therefore aims to serve as a reference point for the description and correlation of various soil hydrological parameters used in formal assessments.

Preserving Ghana’s Water Resources: Insights from Communities Along Keta Lagoon Complex Ramsar Site

Maintaining water resources in Ghana is crucial to the survival of its populace. It is commonly said, it is the “survival of the fittest”, but it is water that makes it possible for the fittest to survive. This study examined Ghanaians’ activities towards water resources by exploring the views of residents of Anyanui, Anloga and Tegbi along Keta Lagoon Complex Ramsar Site. The study adopted the qualitative approach, narrative design and thematic analysis. In-depth face-to-face interviews with 15 residents, purposively and conveniently sampled from the three communities and observations in the Anloga District revealed that, there is a moderate environmental challenge to Keta Lagoon Complex Ramsar site. Over exploitation of mangroves, the habit of open defecation, dumping of refuse in the enclave and poaching were revealed in the study. The study concludes that, advancing the protection and strategizing to achieve effective management of wetlands in Ghana is needed to ensure that ecosystem benefits inure to mankind. Based on this, the study recommends that, Traditional chiefs should be given the mandate and be tasked to ensure rules and regulations regarding Ramsar sites are well respected. Moreover, Wildlife Division/Forestry Commission needs to be more vibrant in ensuring that, wetlands are wisely used and protected. The study also recommends that, toilet facilities need to be provided along the banks of the Keta Lagoon Complex Ramsar Site

Combining multisensor images and social network data to assess the area flooded by a hurricane event.

In this study, multisensor remote sensing datasets were used to characterize the land use and land covers (LULC) flooded by Hurricane Willa which made landfall on October 24, 2018. The landscape characterization was done using an unsupervised K-means algorithm of a cloud-free Sentinel-2 MultiSpectral Instrument (MSI) image, acquired during the dry season before Hurricane Willa. A flood map was derived using the histogram thresholding technique over a Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR) Sentinel-1 C-band and combined with a flood map derived from a Sentinel-2 MSI image. Both, the Sentinel-1 and Sentinel-2 images were obtained after Willa landfall. While the LULC map reached an accuracy of 92%, validated using data collected during field surveys, the flood map achieved 90% overall accuracy, validated using locations extracted from social network data, that were manually georeferenced. The agriculture class was the dominant land use (about 2,624 km2), followed by deciduous forest (1,591 km2) and sub-perennial forest (1,317 km2). About 1,608 km2 represents the permanent wetlands (mangrove, salt marsh, lagoon and estuaries, and littoral classes), but only 489 km2 of this area belongs to aquatic surfaces (lagoons and estuaries). The flooded area was 1,225 km2, with the agricultural class as the most impacted (735 km2). Our analysis detected the saltmarsh class occupied 541 km2in the LULC map, and around 328 km2 were flooded during Hurricane Willa. Since the water flow receded relatively quickly, obtaining representative imagery to assess the flood event was a challenge. Still, the high overall accuracies obtained in this study allow us to assume that the outputs are reliable and can be used in the implementation of effective strategies for the protection, restoration, and management of wetlands. In addition, they will improve the capacity of local governments and residents of Marismas Nacionales to make informed decisions for the protection of vulnerable areas to the different threats derived from climate change.

Strong declines of waders between 1991 and 2021 related to changes in water management in the Syvash wetlands

Strong declines of waders between 1991 and 2021 related to changes in water management in the Syvash wetlands

Impacts of vegetation and tidal conditions on porewater and salt transport in coastal wetlands: Numerical simulations and field evidence

Coastal wetlands are crucial ecosystems with high fragility to environmental alterations. Despite early efforts, interactions of water and salt with vegetation in coastal wetlands have rarely been investigated especially with increasing anthropogenic disturbances. Here, field data and numerical simulations were utilized to understand the influences of vegetation, evapotranspiration (ETa), tide, and inundation events on porewater and salt transport in highly regulated tidal riparian wetlands. At the site, the presence of Phragmites australis significantly enhanced soil hydraulic conductivity (KS) and facilitated hydraulic connections between groundwater and surface soil, resulting in the rapid response of soil salinity to groundwater level fluctuations. Simulation results further demonstrated the combined effects of tides and ETa on the salinity distributions, revealing the formation of a high salinity zone in the middle region due to the inflow of water from the tides and ETa-driven upward movements of water and salt; however, as salinity levels increased within the high salinity zone, the growth of Phragmites australis was constrained, leading to reduced transpiration (Ta). Tidal parameters such as amplitudes and mean water levels could affect salt accumulation processes in soils and further the high-salinity zone. Finally, inundation events from extreme upstream discharge had a flushing and diluting effect on accumulated salts, alleviating salinity stress and promoting vegetation Ta and growth; however, further increases in ETa led to salt re-accumulation, potentially reinstating the salinity distribution pattern after inundation. These findings enhance our understanding of ecohydrological processes in coastal wetlands and have important implications for wetland management and restoration.

Status, Diversity and Species Composition of Wetland Birds on Vaduvoor Bird Sanctuary, Tiruvarur District, Tamil Nadu, India

Birds serve as the best indicators of wetland function and as measures of success in wetland management, restoration, and creation. This study was conducted from 2022 to 2024 in the Vaduvoor Bird Sanctuary of Tiruvarur district, employing the total count method to estimate the population of wetland birds. Year-wise species diversity, richness, relative diversity, evenness, density, and relative abundance were calculated. A total of 147 bird species belonging to 48 families and 18 orders were recorded. The maximum diversity and evenness were observed in 2024 (3.05 and 0.37), while the minimum values were recorded in 2023 (2.11 and 0.21). The total density was highest in 2023 (162.68/ha) and lowest in 2024 (27.82/ha), and species richness peaked in 2022 (117) and was lowest in 2024 (84). This sanctuary complex supports three IUCN Red-listed, four Near Threatened species: Curlew Sandpiper (Calidris ferruginea), Spot-billed Pelican (Pelecanus philippensis), Black-headed Ibis (Threskiornis melanosephalus), and Oriental Darter (Anhinga melanogaster), two vulnerable species: Yellow-throated Bulbul (Pycnonotus xantholaemus) and River Tern (Sterna hirundo), and one Endangered species – Lesser Sand Plover (Charadrius mongolus). This paper provides an overview of the current status and the IUCN status of wetland birds within the study area.

Restored Wetland Size and Age Influence Small Mammal Communities in West Virginia, USA

Small mammals are important, albeit often overlooked, fauna in wetland restoration projects. However, it is essential to evaluate factors that influence small mammal community metrics in restored wetlands to maximize wetland restoration effectiveness. Previous studies found that vegetation differed as restored wetlands aged and that wetland age may play a role in the presence of amphibians and birds. Therefore, we assessed whether wetland age influenced small mammals. We also evaluated 17 environmental factors in restored wetlands that could influence small mammal communities in these wetlands. To assess and evaluate the effects of age and environmental factors on the small mammal community, we appraised 14 restored wetlands in West Virginia, USA, in the summers of 2020 and 2021 for small mammal community metrics, specifically relative abundance, diversity, richness, and evenness. We captured six species of small mammals: deer mice (Peromyscus maniculatus), white-footed mice (Peromyscus leucopus), meadow voles (Microtus pennsylvanicus), meadow jumping mice (Zapus hudsonius), northern short-tailed shrews (Blarina brevicauda), and eastern chipmunks (Tamias striatus). We found that the relative abundance of deer mice, white-footed mice, and meadow voles decreased with wetland age. However, both species diversity and evenness increased with wetland age. Wetland size influenced the relative abundance of white-footed mice, meadow jumping mice, and all small mammals combined. Although the relative abundance of white-footed mice and total small mammals decreased with wetland size, the relative abundance of meadow jumping mice increased with wetland size. Wetland managers should consider wetland age and size when designing wetlands to facilitate small mammal communities.

Characterization of Fish Spawning Grounds near the Likouala-Aux-Herbes River, Lac Tele Community Reserve (LTCR), Republic of Congo, for Sustainable Wetland Management

Characterization of Fish Spawning Grounds near the Likouala-Aux-Herbes River, Lac Tele Community Reserve (LTCR), Republic of Congo, for Sustainable Wetland Management

Choosing the Right Tool: A Comparative Study of Wetland Assessment Approaches

There are over 700 aquatic ecological assessment approaches across the globe that meet specific institutional goals. However, in many cases, multiple assessment tools are designed to meet the same management need, resulting in a confusing array of overlapping options. Here, we look at six riverine wetland assessments currently in use in Montana, USA, and ask which tool (1) best captures the condition across a disturbance gradient and (2) has the most utility to meet the regulatory or management needs. We used descriptive statistics to compare wetland assessments (n = 18) across a disturbance gradient determined by a landscape development intensity. Factor analysis showed that many of the tools had internal metrics that did not correspond well with overall results, hindering the tool’s ability to act as designed. We surveyed regional wetland managers (n = 56) to determine the extent of their use of each of the six tools and how well they trusted the information the assessment tool provided. We found that the Montana Wetland Assessment Methodology best measured the range of disturbance and had the highest utility to meet Clean Water Act (CWA§ 404) needs. Montana Department of Environmental Quality was best for the CWA§ 303(d) & 305(b) needs. The US Natural Resources Conservation Service’s Riparian Assessment Tool was the third most used by managers but was the tool that had the least ability to distinguish across a disturbance, followed by the US Bureau of Land Management’s Proper Functioning Condition.

Physical and chemical features of hydro-geologically connected wetlands in the Abbay River basin, Ethiopia

Physico-chemical water quality assessment is vital for wetland characterization, detecting environmental stress affecting the ecosystem and wetland management interventions. Therefore, this study aimed at comprehensive analysis of water quality parameters of six hydro-geologically connected wetlands in West Gojjam zone, Amhara region, Ethiopia. Water quality data was collected for one year (from June 2022 to April 2023) during four sampling seasons (pre-rainy, main-rainy, post-rainy and dry seasons) from twelve purposively selected sampling sites. In-situ measurements and nutrient analysis were carried out following standard procedures. Water quality index (WQI) was also computed by the weighted arithmetic water quality index method (WAWQI) based on selected parameters. Phosphate ranged from 0.24 mg/l (Kurt Bahir) to 1.80 mg/l (Zindib) and nitrate ranged from 2.12 mg/l (at Gudera) to 3.25 mg/l (at Geray). This increased nutrient concentration and the decreasing trend in DO level clearly indicates their ecological degradation. There was a statistically significant difference (P < 0.05, One-way ANOVA) in the mean measurements of some of the parameters among the study wetlands and among the study seasons. The PCA also clearly shows the most influential variables responsible for the variation among the wetlands. The study concluded that the wetlands water quality has been degraded. Therefore, regular water quality monitoring is recommended to reduce further deterioration.

Developing simple indicators of nitrogen and phosphorus removal in constructed stormwater wetlands

Quantifying pollutant removal by stormwater wetlands requires intensive sampling which is cost-prohibitive for authorities responsible for a large number of wetlands. Wetland managers require simple indicators that provide a practical means of estimating performance and prioritising maintenance works across their asset base. We therefore aimed to develop vegetation cover and metrics derived from monitoring water level, as simple indicators of likely nutrient pollutant removal from stormwater wetlands. Over a two-year period, we measured vegetation cover and water levels at 17 wetlands and used both to predict nitrogen (N) and phosphorus (P) removal. Vegetation cover explained 48 % of variation in total nitrogen (TN) removal; with a linear relationship suggesting an approximate 9 % loss in TN removal per 10 % decrease in vegetation cover. Vegetation cover is therefore a useful indicator of TN removal. Further development of remotely-sensed data on vegetation configuration, species and condition will likely improve the accuracy of TN removal estimates. Total phosphorus (TP) removal was not predicted by vegetation cover, but was weakly related to the median water level which explained 25 % of variation TP removal. Despite weak prediction of TP removal, metrics derived from water level sensors identified faults such as excessive inflow and inefficient outflow, which in combination explained 50 % of the variation in the median water level. Monitoring water levels therefore has the potential to detect faults prior to loss of vegetation cover and therefore TN removal, as well as inform the corrective action required.

Surface and groundwater flow exchanges and lateral hydrological connectivity in environments of the Matusagaratí Wetland, Panama

The Matusagaratí wetland in the Panamanian Darien is one of the largest wetlands in Central America. These types of riverine wetlands, associated with large drainage basins, are complex hydrological environments where variations in water flows and exchanges condition the existence of different wetland habitats. The work aimed to establish the hydrological functioning of the Matusagaratí wetland in different sectors of the Balsas River, emphasizing the exchanges of surface and groundwater flows and the hydrological connectivity that exists between the different laterally linked wetland environments. For this purpose, a monitoring network for surface water and groundwater was established along transects intersecting various wetland environments in the middle and lower basin of the Balsas River. This network is complemented by measurement points for surface water located in streams and in the upper basin of the river. Data collected in sensors installed in boreholes were compared to river level and precipitation data. Continuous water level recording sensors were installed at the monitoring points, and samples were collected for the determination of major ions and stable isotopes. The results indicate that in the mangroves of the lower basin and in the cativo forests of the middle basin levee there is a strong exchange of water between the river and the shallow groundwater. This water exchange is strongly influenced by the tide which spreads from the estuary to the continent through the river. Meanwhile, in the middle basin, mixed forests and orey forests developed on the alluvial plain exhibit a hydrological functioning that depends primarily on precipitation inputs. This study provides data that could serve as a basis for the management of this large tropical wetland that, despite having protection initiatives, could be hydrologically impacted by unsustainable socio-economic practices.

Analyzing the applicability of wetland ecological modes in the Minjiang Estuary wetland

Wetlands are badly damaged in many parts of the world. The wetland management of Minjiang Estuary wetland has achieved remarkable results. This provides valuable experience for wetland management in other areas. Minjiang Estuary wetland can achieve the effect, mainly because of the adoption of the water quality management, ecological restoration, and ecological tourism development. However, different management modes have their own scope of application. In order to spread its successes, three differential game modes related to Minjiang Estuary wetland management are constructed, and their equilibrium results are compared and analyzed. Finally, research shows that the amount of water quality control by governments is directly proportional to the resilience of wetlands. The amount of social organization culture is proportional to the degree of better water quality. The amount of development by the government and social organizations is directly proportional to the decrease of investment in the spontaneous tourism industry. When the loss caused by flood or the ecological restoration effect is large, the wetland should adopt the ecological restoration mode. When the increased income or reputation of ecotourism is large, the ecotourism development mode should be adopted. This provides a reference for how to manage wetlands and how to promote the management mode of Minjiang Estuary wetland to other areas more effectively.

Spatial interactions between perceived biophilic values and neighborhood typologies in urban wetlands

Wetlands provide a wide range of ecosystem services; however, little is known about their perception value or use for improving urban planning and wetland management. This study explores the perception values towards the Los Batros Wetland in Chile, by inhabitants from different neighborhood typologies. A sample of 457 responses evaluated the wetland by applying the Kellert framework of 9 biophilic values using a Public Participation Geographic Information Systems (PPGIS) approach. A spatial autocorrelation analysis with hotspot revealed that the spatial distribution of biophilic values varies by neighborhood typology. Subsequent ANOVA and T-test suggest that such distribution is affected by perceived accessibility and visitation purposes, and is influenced by socio-demographic aspects that vary among neighborhood typology. Inhabitants of the garden city typology located next to the wetland area, whose residents have higher education and income levels and who have easy and moderate access to the wetland, agreed with a diverse type of biophilic values. In the garden city, the ecologistic-scientific value has the higher spatial concentration. In the condominium typology, with similar education and income levels and accessibility, but situated far from the wetland, there was less agreement with biophilic values, and these were more dispersed, i.e. biophilic values are less representative. In this case, the aesthetic value prevails over others. At the north area of the neighborhood unit, where residents had lower education and income levels along with moderate to difficult physical access to the wetland, but they developed horticultural activities alongside the wetland, inhabitants agree with various biophilic values, highlighting its symbolic value. Conversely, biophilic values of people in the favela were not in agreement nor disagreement, regardless they have similar physical access and distance to the wetland as residents in the condominium typology, but have the lowest income and education level. Findings suggest that effective wetlands management requires appreciation of the clusters of values assigned to wetland environments, which in this case relate to neighborhood typologies. These clusters should be considered when planning to restore, protect, and improve urban wetlands.

Analysing sensitivity of conditioning factors for wetland habitat quality modelling

Wetland habitat quality degradation, in addition to wetland loss, is a growing concern that demands rapid action. The purpose of the current study is to assess the sensitivity analysis of conditioning factors on the Wetland Habitat Quality State (WHQS) in the Rarh tract of Murshidabad, West Bengal. Total seventeen metrics in total, including water quality, hydrology, and landscape composition were employed to mapping WHQS. WHQS was modelled using machine learning techniques. The efficiency of the models was evaluated using statistical methods such as the Receiver operating characteristics (ROC) curve. Very strong portions of wetland area have been decreased from 32.74% in 1990 to 20.72% in 2020. According to the study, wetland fragmentation, distance from agricultural land, and trophic status factor of the wetlands are key elements that affect wetland habitat quality to a large extent. The current study's findings could serve as the foundation for developing water resource management plans for the management, conservation, and restoration of wetlands, in addition to doing extensive research on monitoring habitat quality in wetlands.

Effects of Seasonal Variations in Seagrass Density and Storms on Sediment Retention and Connectivity Between Subtidal Flats and Intertidal Marsh

AbstractBoth submerged aquatic vegetation and salt marsh are important coastal ecosystems known for their effectiveness in sediment trapping and carbon burial. However, their proximity can lead to competition for limited sediment resources, potentially compromising their capacity to facilitate sufficient sediment deposition to withstand sea‐level rise. Here we applied the Delft3D flow and sediment transport model in a shallow coastal bay to assess how seasonal variations in seagrass density and storms modulate sediment retention and connectivity between subtidal flats and intertidal marsh. Results show that submerged seagrass meadows acted as temporary storage for fine sediment and altered the timing of sediment transport to an adjacent marsh through seasonal growth cycles. When seagrass occupied subtidal flats, sediment flux to the marsh was controlled by seasonal seagrass density variations, with peak fluxes during winter senescence. In contrast, wave‐induced sediment resuspension on the flats was the major contributor for marsh sediment input in the simulation with no seagrass, with peak storm‐driven fluxes in summer/autumn. Overall, seagrass meadows significantly increased annual sediment accumulation on the vegetated subtidal flats by tenfold, while reducing annual marsh sediment flux and edge erosion by 20%. Seagrass meadows and marsh were both able to maintain a sediment deposition rate comparable to the rapid sea‐level rise at the study site despite the absence of terrestrial sediment sources. Our findings highlight the strong seasonal control subtidal aquatic vegetation has in the vertical and horizontal dynamics of tidal flat‐marsh systems and provide insights that can inform wetland restoration and management strategies in similar systems.

Vegetation Spatial Distribution on Taean Duung Wetland Protect Area

In this study, we conduct for providing information on the status of vegetation space distribution in the Duung wetland protected area and to help manage the wetland protected area. To understand the spatial distribution of vegetation in Duung Wetland, used the results of surveys in 2019 and 2023. As a result of the study, the number of vegetation types increased by 4 from 20 to 24. Four communities were newly investigated, including the &lt;i&gt;Utricularia tenuicaulis&lt;/i&gt; community, &lt;i&gt;Pueraria montana&lt;/i&gt; var. &lt;i&gt;lobata-Elymus tsukushiensis&lt;/i&gt; community, &lt;i&gt;Spiraea prunifolia&lt;/i&gt; for. &lt;i&gt;simpliciflora&lt;/i&gt; community, and &lt;i&gt;Miscanthus sinensis&lt;/i&gt; var. &lt;i&gt;purpurascens&lt;/i&gt; community. In accordance with the environment, the range of aquatic plant communities such as &lt;i&gt;Trapa japonica&lt;/i&gt; community and &lt;i&gt;Nymphaea tetragona&lt;/i&gt; var. &lt;i&gt;angusta&lt;/i&gt; community increased, and the succession zone of cultivated land expanded dry grassland. The survey results can be used as basic data for systematic management of the Duung wetland protected area.