Coastal wetlands in Northeast Italy remained generally stable from 1984-2016, largely due to effective reservation policies. However, insular wetlands experienced greater vulnerability to sea-level rise, emphasizing the need for increased protection in these areas. Continental wetlands, while less impacted by sea-level rise, exhibited environmental polarization intensified by reservation policies and surrounding anthropogenic activities.

The authors declare no competing interests. The acknowledgements section mentions funding from various sources including the Chinese Academy of Sciences, the National Natural Science Foundation of China, and the Shenzhen Science and Technology Program. While these funding sources don't represent a direct conflict of interest regarding the research topic, it is worth noting for transparency.

This study presents a comprehensive analysis of coastal wetland dynamics in Northeast Italy over three decades, using remote sensing data and field observations. The methodology is sound, employing land use classification, sea-level rise analysis, and ecological indices to assess changes. The identification of the vulnerability of insular wetlands to sea-level rise is an important finding with implications for conservation. While there are some limitations regarding the scope of factors considered and potential refinements to the ecological indices used, the overall research is strong and provides valuable insights into the dynamics of these important ecosystems. Rating capped at 4 due to the multiple, significant limitations present. No obvious COI found.