Methodologies and Management Framework for Restoration of Wetland Hydrologic Connectivity: A Synthesis

ABSTRACT Under the dual influences of high‐intensity anthropogenic activity and climate change, wetland hydrologic connectivity (HC) has decreased significantly, resulting in the severe fragmentation of wetlands, a decrease in wetland area, and a degradation of hydrological functions, resulting in a worsening disaster response to floods and droughts. Dynamic changes in wetland HC are affected by a variety of factors. Many degraded wetlands have undergone measures to restore HC. Recovery can improve the HC pattern of degraded wetlands. Based on the knowledge of practitioners and a review of the literature, it was found that recovery measures can be divided into structural recovery and functional recovery according to the specific recovery objectives. However, the current recovery method lacks a holistic analysis of the HC pattern. To this end, we propose a hydrologic network–water balance‐based HC recovery and management framework that overcomes the limitations of single‐drive‐factor repair and local repair effects. Integr Environ Assess Manag 2020;16:438–451. © 2020 SETAC