The study investigated the influence of hydrological wellness design on the psychological health and social interaction of elderly people in rural areas of Guangzhou. The design positively influenced health response assessments, including mental health, social behaviour and physical health, and multimodal interaction perception mediated the relationship between hydrological design perception and health response. The results emphasise potential of hydrological design in enhancing wellbeing of the elderly, particularly by reducing loneliness and promoting social integration, and guide future designs aimed at improving the health of the elderly through integrated natural elements.

This article belongs to the collection: Global perspectives: sustainable management of freshwater aquatic ecosystem services and water resources.

We used ArcGIS software and the InVEST model to identify the regional recessive hydro-ecological space of the Qinhuai River Basin in Nanjing, Jiangsu Province, China. We visualised the three types of recessive hydro-ecological spaces (water source conservation, water purification, and soil and water conservation), and quantitatively analysed the spatial distribution characteristics of each type, which led us to the relevant conclusions.

This article belongs to the collection: Global perspectives: sustainable management of freshwater aquatic ecosystem services and water resources.

This research has examined water-related challenges in Pakistan, evaluated current environmental management practices and compared strategies with those in China, India and the UK. It has highlighted the need for comprehensive water governance, aligning with global standards and the UN SDGs. The study underscored the importance of legal cooperation, sustainability and international collaboration for effective water management across industrial and agricultural sectors.

This article belongs to the collection: Global perspectives: sustainable management of freshwater aquatic ecosystem services and water resources.

The global water crisis, driven by unsustainable resource consumption, exacerbates drought severity and water scarcity. This assessment emphasises the utility of drought indices for evaluating regional vulnerability and monitoring patterns. It critiques large-scale engineering interventions, advocating for sustainable, nature-based management strategies. The findings underscore the necessity of global cooperation in water resource management to enhance ecosystem resilience and ensure long-term water security.

This article belongs to the collection: Global perspectives: sustainable management of freshwater ecosystems.

This study explores the impact of community water ecological design on promoting health behaviours among the elderly in China’s aging population. Through a survey of 315 seniors and analysis using structural equation modelling, the findings showed that water ecological design enhances health by improving environmental perception and psychological comfort.

This article belongs to the collection: Global perspectives: sustainable management of freshwater ecosystems.

This study assessed resilience changes in the supply and demand of water resources in the Yellow River Basin over the past decades by using an improved grey-target model. From 2011 to 2020, the resilience index increased by 69.4%, with the contribution of driving factors rising by 70.9%. The findings highlighted resilience disparities between supply and demand, providing evidence for improving water resilience.

This article belongs to the collection: Global perspectives: sustainable management of freshwater ecosystems.