Effects of monocot and dicot types and species richness in mesocosm constructed wetlands on removal of pollutants from wastewater

► Plant biomass was enhanced by the monocot and monocot + dicot species richness, respectively. ► Microbial biomass carbon, nitrogen and phosphorus were enhanced by the plant species richness. ► Removals of NH4-N and NO3-N were enhanced only by the monocot species richness. ► The removal of inorganic P was enhanced only by the monocot planting alone.