Water & Ecology (W&E) focuses on original research in the fields of water resources, water environment and water ecology (Three-Water, water3) to coordinate theoretical, methodological and technological innovations in the three fields. The aim is to overcome the constraints of current research paradigms, as well as achieve optimal allocation of water resources, steady improvement of water environment, and fundamental improvement of water ecology.

W&E is a platform for disseminating original research in the field of water and ecology, including not only traditional sciences, technologies, policies and practices but also innovative approaches. W&E welcomes research on the relationship between water and ecology, theories and methods of Three-Water integration, watershed water ecosystem evolution, water ecological integrity and ecological security, climate change response and resilient water ecosystems, and digital/smart watersheds, including but not limited to the following topics.

The relationship between water and ecology includes water quality risk identification and assessment, early warning of water quality safety, process regulation and optimal utilization of water quality safety, environmental behavior and ecological effects of water pollutants (especially new pollutants), ecosystem response and biodiversity under the influence of water quality, and water ecosystem health.

The theory and method of Three-Water integration refers to the overall construction of a green and sustainable natural and social water ecosystem from the three levels of micro-water purification, meso-water resource utilization and macro-water ecosystem. In addition to the new principles and technologies of water purification at multi-phase and micro-interface scale, it includes water-energy-carbon coupling mechanism, water quality transformation mechanism and purification technology of sustainable water quality, environmental friendliness and energy resource balance, green water quality improvement technology system based on water resources security, and construction of "zero pollution" green water ecosystem.

Basin water ecosystem evolution, including regional/basin scale water ecosystem restoration, land and sea integrated water ecosystem restoration, resilient urban water ecosystem construction and regulation, green digital basin system construction, zero pollution basin system theory, etc.

Water ecological integrity and ecological security, including the impact of pollution on water ecosystem, biosecurity of water ecosystem, efficient and safe reuse system of reclaimed water under the background of water shortage.

Climate change response and resilience of water ecosystems, including the impact of climate change on water quality and water ecology, water environmental problems caused by extreme climate, the impact of climate issues on biodiversity in water ecosystems, and health management of water ecosystems in response to climate issues.

Digital/smart watershed, including intelligent water quality monitoring technology, water quality big data analysis technology and water ecosystem regulation based on machine learning.