Ecohydrological Engineering for the Sustainable Management of
Water-Biota Interactions
Abstract
Ecohydrology engineering provides a valuable framework for addressing
emerging environmental challenges by integrating ecological and
environmental engineering principles. In this study, we discuss the
potential of parsimonious, physically-based ecohydrological models
through the lens of three case studies: sustainable irrigation, urban
heat island mitigation via green roofs, and mangrove restoration for
climate change mitigation. First, we investigate sustainable irrigation
strategies, illustrating the trade-offs between water conservation and
soil salinization. This highlights the delicate balance required to
optimize crop yield while mitigating soil degradation. Second, we
explore the role of green roofs in urban heat island mitigation, showing
how vegetation and water dynamics on rooftops can enhance latent heat
flux, thereby potentially reducing urban temperatures and improving
building energy efficiency. Lastly, we assess the climate mitigation
potential of mangrove restoration, accounting for the impacts of
salinization and sea-level rise. We demonstrate that carbon
sequestration in mangrove ecosystems may be strongly limited by
productivity reduction due to salinity and reduced area availability
under sea-level rise. These examples highlight the value of simple
ecohydrological models in providing critical insights into sustainable
environmental management. Ecohydrological engineering, therefore, offers
promising avenues for developing innovative solutions that leverage the
intricate connections between water and biota to address emerging
challenges.