Announcements

We are pleased to announce that the 2024 Tu Youyou Award has been conferred upon Richard DiMarchi and Rolf Müller, in recognition of their significant contributions to natural products chemistry and medicinal chemistry.

Richard DiMarchi Indiana University, USA	Prof. Richard DiMarchi is a Distinguished Professor of Chemistry and Gill Chair in Biomolecular Sciences at Indiana University, USA. He is a member of the National Academy of Medicine and the National Inventors Hall of Fame. Dr. DiMarchi is a former Group Vice President at Eli Lilly and later at Novo Nordisk. He is recognized for his contributions to the discovery and development of rDNA-derived Humulin®, Humalog®, rGlucagon®, and Forteo®. His academic research has broadened the understanding of glucagon and incretin physiology and pioneered the discovery of single-molecule multi-mechanism agonists for the treatment of diabetes and obesity. The central element to success has been the chemical vision and technology to install within single molecules simultaneous agonism at related G-protein coupled receptors, coupled to the counter-intuitive discovery that glucagon and GIP agonism could synergize the therapeutic efficacy of GLP-1. These peptides and their conceptual approach have transformed the management of excessive body weight to a condition comparable to how hypertension, adult-onset diabetes, and excess cholesterol are medicinally managed.
“Professor DiMarchi was recognized by the 2024 Tu Youyou Award Committee members as being an exceptional leader in the medicinal chemistry of peptides and proteins of natural origin, and as a pioneer in the field of chemical biotechnology. His very important discoveries have led to breakthroughs in new drugs related to the therapy of diabetes and obesity. He has been named as an inventor on a very large number of patents, and he has had initially a highly successful scientific and administrative career in industry, which was followed by over two decades in academia as a distinguished professor.” —Prof. Dr. A. Douglas Kinghorn, Chair of the Award Committee
Rolf Müller Helmholtz Institute for Pharmaceutical Research Saarland (HIPS), Germany; Helmholtz Centre for Infections Research (HZI), Germany; Saarland University, Germany	Prof. Rolf Müller is the Founding and Managing Director of the Helmholtz Institute for Pharmaceutical Research Saarland (HIPS) and Professor of Pharmaceutical Biotechnology at Saarland University, Germany. Having received his training from the University of Bonn, he held research positions at the University of Washington, USA, and Braunschweig University of Technology, Germany, prior to his appointment as professor to Saarland University. His laboratory has dedicated itself to the exploration of bacterial natural-product biosynthetic pathways for more than 20 years and has extensive experience in working with myxobacteria and other microbial producer strains. Starting from the isolation and characterization of new microorganisms, the scope of work includes microbiology-, biotechnology-, bioinformatics-, and chemistry-based approaches to exploit these isolates as sources of new drugs with a special focus on novel anti-infectives. Müller and his team apply a variety of state-of-the-art analytical methods and biological assays to perform biological and chemical characterizations of the identified compounds. Prof. Müller has received several awards, including the prestigious Gottfried Wilhelm Leibniz Prize, the PHOENIX Pharmacy Research Award, the DECHEMA Prize, and the Inhoffen Medal, as well as being an elected member of acatech, Leopoldina, and the German Academy of Sciences and Literature.
“The 2024 Tu Youyou Award Committee members were highly impressed by the truly outstanding past and ongoing contributions of Professor Müller in both microbial natural products isolation chemistry and in biosynthesis, as well as in the development of lead compounds for their potential in treating human diseases, through his global connections with various major funding agencies. He is also a dedicated teacher who has trained numerous graduate students and postdoctoral fellows, and he has lectured on his research in countries all over the world.” —Prof. Dr. A. Douglas Kinghorn, Chair of the Award Committee

The achievements of Richard DiMarchi and Rolf Müller highlight the transformative impact of natural products chemistry and medicinal chemistry. We congratulate them and invite the global academic community and public to join us in celebrating their significant contributions.

2024 Award Committee
Committee Chair:

• Prof. Dr. A. Douglas Kinghorn, Ohio State University, USA.
  

Committee Members (listed in alphabetical order):

• Prof. Angelo Fontana, University of Naples “Federico II”, Italy;
• Prof. Binghe Wang, Georgia State University, USA;
• Dr. Diana Pinto, University of Aveiro, Portugal;
• Prof. Hideaki Kakeya, Kyoto University, Japan;
• Dr. RuAngelie Edrada-Ebel, University of Strathclyde, UK;
• Prof. Thomas Prisinzano, University of Kentucky, USA
• Prof. Wei Li, University of Tennessee Health Science Center, USA.

About the Tu Youyou Award:
The 2024 Tu Youyou Award includes a total monetary prize of 100,000 Swiss Francs and a medal for each recipient. Established in 2016 to honor the pioneering spirit of Nobel laureate Tu Youyou, the Tu Youyou Award is an international award honoring exceptional scholars dedicated to the fields of natural products chemistry and medicinal chemistry.

For further information about the award and the winners, please visit the Tu Youyou Award website.

MDPI is excited to collaborate with Toronto Metropolitan University to host an engaging Scientific Publishing Workshop aimed at empowering scholars with the knowledge and tools needed to succeed in academic publishing. This workshop will delve into the key aspects of MDPI’s open access publishing framework, offering an in-depth exploration of journal selection, the editorial workflow, and the essentials of publication ethics. Participants will also gain practical advice on improving their scientific writing and effectively addressing reviewer comments, with guidance from an experienced professional. This session promises to equip attendees with valuable skills to elevate their publishing journey.

Workshop Highlights:

• Learn How to Better Write and Structure a Research Article;
• How to Choose Where to Publish Academic Work;
• How to Respond to Reviewer Comments;
• Reasons for Rejection During Pre-Check;
• How to Navigate Through Ethics and AI Use.

Date: 15 May 2025
Time: 12:00–1:30 p.m.
Venue: Toronto Metropolitan University

Program:

On the International Day of Plant Health, we recognize the vital role that healthy plants play in securing food, sustaining livelihoods, and protecting biodiversity. Plant health is fundamental to global food security, environmental sustainability, and economic development. As the world faces the increasing threat of plant pests and diseases, exacerbated by climate change, global trade, and unsustainable practices, this day serves as a call to action for stronger phytosanitary systems and international collaboration.

Aligned with this year’s theme of “The Importance of Plant Health in One Health”, we invite you to explore selected articles, Special Issues, and journals that span fields such as biology, biosciences, agriculture, and plant science. Healthy plants are the foundation of food security, ecosystems, and global biodiversity. By sharing research that addresses plant pests and diseases, we aim to inspire action and foster collaboration to strengthen plant protection, ultimately supporting a healthier, more sustainable future for all.

Keynote speakers:

Prof. Dr. Horacio Heinzen University of the Republic, Uruguay	Dr. Azucena González Coloma Institute of Agricultural Sciences, CSIC, Spain
Prof. Dr. Assunta Bertaccini Alma Mater Studiorum - University of Bologna, Italy	Prof. Dr. Hikmet Budak Arizona Western College, United States

Feel free to register for the webinar here!

“Phytochemical Profile, Antioxidant and Antimicrobial Activity of Two Species of Oak: Quercus sartorii and Quercus rysophylla”
by Elizabeth Coyotl-Martinez, Juan Alex Hernández-Rivera, José L. Arturo Parra-Suarez, Sandra Raquel Reyes-Carmona and Alan Carrasco-Carballo
Appl. Biosci. 2025, 4(1), 13; https://doi.org/10.3390/applbiosci4010013

“Flavonoids as Insecticides in Crop Protection—A Review of Current Research and Future Prospects”
by Verónica Pereira, Onofre Figueira and Paula C. Castilho
Plants 2024, 13(6), 776; https://doi.org/10.3390/plants13060776

“The Function of Root Exudates in the Root Colonization by Beneficial Soil Rhizobacteria”
by Lin Chen and Yunpeng Liu
Biology 2024, 13(2), 95; https://doi.org/10.3390/biology13020095

“A New Gonolobus Species (Apocynaceae, Asclepiadoideae) from Sinaloa, Mexico”
by Leonardo O. Alvarado-Cárdenas, Juan F. Pío-León, Gilberto Morillo and Carla Sofía Islas-Hernández
Taxonomy 2024, 4(1), 1-9; https://doi.org/10.3390/taxonomy4010001

“Zamia magnifica (Zamiaceae, Cycadales): A New Rupicolous Cycad Species from Sierra Norte, Oaxaca, Mexico”
by Miguel Angel Pérez-Farrera, José Said Gutiérrez-Ortega, Mauricio Gerónimo Martínez-Martínez and Michael Calonje
Taxonomy 2023, 3(2), 232-249; https://doi.org/10.3390/taxonomy3020017

“Manipulation of the Cellular Membrane-Cytoskeleton Network for RNA Virus Replication and Movement in Plants”
by Rongrong He, Yinzi Li, Mark A. Bernards and Aiming Wang
Viruses 2023, 15(3), 744; https://doi.org/10.3390/v15030744

“Tissue Culture—A Sustainable Approach to Explore Plant Stresses”
by Akila Wijerathna-Yapa and Jayeni Hiti-Bandaralage
Life 2023, 13(3), 780; https://doi.org/10.3390/life13030780

“Geometric Morphometric Versus Genomic Patterns in a Large Polyploid Plant Species Complex”
by Ladislav Hodač, Kevin Karbstein, Salvatore Tomasello, Jana Wäldchen, John Paul Bradican and Elvira Hörandl
Biology 2023, 12(3), 418; https://doi.org/10.3390/biology12030418

“Identification and Characterization of Neofusicoccum stellenboschiana in Branch and Twig Dieback-Affected Olive Trees in Italy and Comparative Pathogenicity with N. mediterraneum”
by Giuliano Manetti, Angela Brunetti, Valentina Lumia, Lorenzo Sciarroni, Paolo Marangi, Nicola Cristella, Francesco Faggioli, Massimo Reverberi, Marco Scortichini and Massimo Pilotti
J. Fungi 2023, 9(3), 292; https://doi.org/10.3390/jof9030292

“Plants as Biofactories for Therapeutic Proteins and Antiviral Compounds to Combat COVID-19”
by Corbin England, Jonathan TrejoMartinez, Paula PerezSanchez, Uddhab Karki and Jianfeng Xu
Life 2023, 13(3), 617; https://doi.org/10.3390/life13030617

“Epichloë Endophytes Shape the Foliar Endophytic Fungal Microbiome and Alter the Auxin and Salicylic Acid Phytohormone Levels in Two Meadow Fescue Cultivars”
by Suni Anie Matthew, Marjo Helander, Kari Saikkonen, Radomira Vankova, Petre I. Dobrev, Serdar Dirihan and Benjamin Fuchs
J. Fungi 2023, 9(1), 90; https://doi.org/10.3390/jof9010090

“Molecular Basis of Seed Germination and Dormancy” Guest Editors: Dr. Yifeng Wang, Prof. Dr. Jiezheng Ying, Dr. Xiaohong Tong and Dr. Yu Cheng Submission deadline: 31 August 2025	“Diversity and Taxonomy of Scarabaeoidea” Guest Editor: Dr. Frank-Thorsten Krell Submission deadline: 31 October 2025
“The Silent Players of Forest Ecosystems: Viruses, Viroids, and Beyond” Guest Editor: Dr. Leticia Botella Sánchez Submission deadline: 31 December 2025	“Plant–Insect Interactions—3rd Edition” Guest Editor: Dr. Francisco Rubén Badenes-Pérez Submission deadline: 31 December 2025

We are pleased to welcome you to this important MDPI Topic Collection on the impact of global challenges on (world) heritage sites. Around the world, cultural heritage is under increasing pressure from climate change, armed conflict, demographic shifts, economic instability, mass tourism, and other regional or global disruptions. These forces are reshaping heritage landscapes, threatening their integrity, altering their significance, and challenging long-standing models of preservation and stewardship. This Topic Collection aims to bring together diverse perspectives and interdisciplinary research to address these urgent issues.

Topics will include the following:

• Identifying and understanding the threats facing heritage sites today;
• Showcasing case studies that highlight the tangible and intangible impacts;
• Exploring theoretical frameworks for contextualizing transformation;
• Examining how new holistic heritage approaches can support entire heritage systems;
• Sharing governance models and tools that enhance resilience;
• Reflecting on recovery strategies rooted in cultural heritage;
• Understanding how these shifts affect different communities and users of heritage spaces.

Whether you are a heritage practitioner, policymaker, researcher, or student, this Topic Collection offers critical insights for navigating change and safeguarding the cultural legacy of tomorrow.

Date: 7 May 2025 at 2:00 p.m. CEST | 8:00 p.m. CST (Asia) | 8:00 a.m. EDT
Webinar ID: 837 1857 2138
Website: https://sciforum.net/event/topics-33

Register now for free

Program

After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information on how to join the webinar. Registrations with academic institutional email addresses will be prioritized.

Unable to attend? Register anyway and we will let you know when the recording is available to watch.

Webinar Chair and Keynote Speakers:

• Dr. Matthias Ripp, Organisation of World Heritage Cities, Department for cultural heritage, City of Regensburg, Regensburg, Germany;
• Dr. Rohit Jigyasu, ICCROM Rome, Italy;
• Dr. Christer Gustafsson, Uppsala University, Sweden.

Relevant Topic Collection:

“(World) Heritage Sites and Values in Danger: Climate-Change Related Challenges and Transformation”
Topic Editors: Dr. Matthias Ripp, Prof. Dr. Christer Gustafsson and Dr. Rohit Jigyasu
Deadline for manuscript submissions: 30 May 2025

World Migratory Bird Day (WMBD) is officially celebrated on the second Saturday of May in Canada and the US, and the second Saturday of October in Mexico, Central and South America, and the Caribbean. While the official dates are set, organizations and individuals are encouraged to celebrate and raise awareness about birds throughout the year by organizing relevant events and activities.

In 2025, WMBD will raise awareness about the many challenges migratory birds face due to human activities and expanding urban development. The campaign will advocate for strategic urban planning and conservation efforts that incorporate bird-friendly practices, making sure that our communities become havens for these remarkable travelers. The 2025 theme encourages action from all sectors, including national and local governments, businesses, community groups, and individuals worldwide.

We hope that established journals in the field of Environmental & Earth Sciences at MDPI, including Animals, Biology, Birds, Conservation, Ecologies, and Wild, will provide an invaluable platform for the exchange of innovative ideas regarding making our environment safe and welcoming for birds.

“Birds of Game Abundances in Evergreen Forests in Calakmul Biosphere Reserve, Campeche, Mexico”
by Héctor M. J. López-Castilla, Fernando M. Contreras-Moreno, Daniel Jesús-Espinosa, José M. Méndez-Tun, Khiavett Sánchez-Pinzón, Pedro Bautista-Ramírez, Lizardo Cruz-Romo and Sandra Petrone
Wild 2025, 2(1), 3; https://doi.org/10.3390/wild2010003

“Trends in the Application of Citizen Science in Waterbird Conservation: A Bibliometric Analysis”
by Ruilin Wang and Keming Ma
Animals 2025, 15(3), 368; https://doi.org/10.3390/ani15030368

“Mitigating Acute Climate Change Threats to Reintroduced Migratory Northern Bald Ibises”
by Johannes Fritz, Markus Unsoeld, Bernhard Goenner, Regina Kramer, Lisbet Siebert-Lang and Helena Wehner
Conservation 2024, 4(4), 748-761; https://doi.org/10.3390/conservation4040044

“Quantifying the Ecological Performance of Migratory Bird Conservation: Evidence from Poyang Lake Wetlands in China”
by Zhenjiang Song, Shichao Gao, Mingni Leng, Bo Zhou and Baoshu Wu
Biology 2024, 13(10), 786; https://doi.org/10.3390/biology13100786

“Comparing Energetics and Physiological Trait Patterns of North American Birds to Support Ecological Risk Assessment”
by Erik B. Muller, Carlo Romoli, Benoit Goussen, Jonathan D. Maul, Richard Brain and Nika Galic
Ecologies 2024, 5(3), 354-367; https://doi.org/10.3390/ecologies5030022

“Use of Stable Isotopes (δ13C and δ15N) to Infer Post-Breeding Dispersal Strategies in Iberian Populations of the Kentish Plover”
by Andrea Gestoso, María Vidal and Jesús Domínguez
Animals 2024, 14(8), 1208; https://doi.org/10.3390/ani14081208

“Simulation Modeling Unveils the Unalike Effects of Alternative Strategies for Waterbird Conservation in the Coastal Wetlands of Sardinia (Italy)”
by Alessandro Ferrarini, Marco Gustin and Claudio Celada
Biology 2023, 12(11), 1440; https://doi.org/10.3390/biology12111440

“Stopover Ecology of the European Turtle Dove (Streptopelia turtur), a Threatened Migratory Bird Species, after the Crossing of an Extended Ecological Barrier”
by Christos Barboutis, Anastasios Bounas, Elisabeth Navarrete and Thord Fransson
Birds 2023, 4(2), 202-212; https://doi.org/10.3390/birds4020017

“Using Pop-GUIDE to Assess the Applicability of MCnest for Relative Risk of Pesticides to Hummingbirds”
by Matthew A. Etterson, Elizabeth A. Paulukonis and S. Thomas Purucker
Ecologies 2023, 4(1), 171-194; https://doi.org/10.3390/ecologies4010013

“Blood Metabolites and Profiling Stored Adipose Tissue Reveal the Differential Migratory Strategies of Eurasian Reed and Sedge Warblers”
by Pedro M. Araújo, Ivan Viegas, Luis P. Da Silva, Pedro B. Lopes, Ludgero C. Tavares and Jaime A. Ramos
Birds 2022, 3(4), 359-373; https://doi.org/10.3390/birds3040024

“Unveiling the Breeding Biology and Life History Evolution in Birds” Guest Editors: Prof. Dr. Shaobin Li, Dr. Changcao Wang and Dr. Weibin Guo Submission deadline: 31 October 2025	“Multi-Sensor Remote Sensing and Ecological Models for Bird and Wildlife Conservation” Guest Editors: Dr. Annalisa Viani, Dr. Tommaso Orusa and Dr. Samuele De Petris Submission deadline: 30 November 2025

We are honored to introduce the award committee for the 2024 Tu Youyou Award, composed of distinguished scientists from around the world whose research covers diverse areas of natural product chemistry, pharmacognosy, and drug discovery. Their broad expertise and pioneering contributions have significantly advanced medicinal and natural products research.

Through their collective insights, rigorous evaluation, the committee has carefully selected this year’s award recipients, recognizing exceptional achievements in the field.

We sincerely thank these distinguished scholars for their efforts and dedication to upholding the standards of the Tu Youyou Award.  Below is the list of committee members. For more information about the Tu Youyou Award, please visit https://tuyouyouprize.org/. 

Chair:

Prof. Dr. A. Douglas Kinghorn Ohio State University, USA

Prof. Dr. A. Douglas Kinghorn is a leading expert in pharmacognosy and natural products research. He is recognized for his key contributions to discovering bioactive compounds from plants, especially in anticancer, cancer chemopreventive, and substances with a sweet taste and taste-modifying agents. His prolific contributions include over 590 peer-reviewed works and book chapters and edited or co-edited 40 scientific volumes.

Prof. Angelo Fontana University of Naples “Federico II”, Italy	Angelo Fontana is a Professor of Organic Chemistry at the University of Naples “Federico II” in Italy and serves as Director of the Institute of Biomolecular Chemistry at the National Research Council (CNR). His research focuses on bioactive small molecules derived from marine eukaryotes, with a particular interest on their pharmaceutical applications in immunology and oncology. He also explores their potential as molecular tools for probing and modulating complex biological systems. Prof. Fontana is a co-founder of BioSEArch SRL and has been recognized with numerous grants and honors, including the Apivita Award from the Phytochemical Society of Europe.
Prof. Binghe Wang Georgia State University, USA	Prof. Binghe Wang’s lab works on drug design, drug delivery, click chemistry, chemical biology, new diagnostics, and gaseous signaling molecules such as carbon monoxide and hydrogen sulfide. His interdisciplinary research supports advances in cancer, infectious diseases, organ protection, inflammation, and other areas.
Dr. Diana Pinto University of Aveiro, Portugal	Dr. Diana Pinto, an Associate Professor at the University of Aveiro, specializes in organic synthesis of bioactive heterocyclic compounds, sustainable catalysis (organo-, heterogeneous, and biocatalysis), and natural product research, including isolation, characterization, and total synthesis.
Prof. Hideaki Kakeya Kyoto University, Japan	Prof. Hideaki Kakeya conducts cutting-edge research in chemical biology, high-throughput screening, and biosynthesis of bioactive natural products for system chemotherapy and other therapeutic applications.
Dr. RuAngelie Edrada-Ebel University of Strathclyde, UK	Prof. RuAngelie Edrada-Ebel heads the Natural Products Metabolomics Group (NPMG), specializing in marine natural products discovery and metabolomics-driven drug development. A recognized expert in bioactive metabolites, she collaborates with industry and academia to address antimicrobial resistance and sustainable bioprospecting. She serves on the Editorial Board of Marine Drugs and holds two patents in the field.
Prof. Thomas Prisinzano University of Kentucky, USA	Prof. Thomas Prisinzano combines medicinal and natural product chemistry to explore neurotransmitter systems and develop treatments for drug abuse and pain. He has received several prestigious awards, including the Innovator Award from the College on Problems of Drug Dependence.
Prof. Wei Li University of Tennessee Health Science Center, USA	A distinguished professor and Director of the Drug Discovery Center, Prof. Wei Li is also the founder of SEAK Therapeutics, and the 2025 Chair-Elect of the Drug Discovery and Development Division of the American Society of Pharmacology and Experimental Therapeutics (ASPET). His work focuses on medicinal chemistry and small molecule drug discovery, with over 200 publications and 15 issued US patents.

MDPI will be attending the 11th World Conference of the Ecosystem Services Partnership in Darwin, Australia, which will take place from 23 to 27 June 2025. The Ecosystem Services Partnership (ESP) is one of the largest network organizations in the field of ecosystem services worldwide. The 11th ESP World Conference will explore pathways to Nature-based Solutions (NbS), with a special focus on the insights that local and Indigenous peoples and their value systems can offer.

The following MDPI journals will be represented:

• Diversity;
• Land;
• Sustainability;
• Urban Science;
• Agriculture;
• Conservation;
• Ecologies;
• Environments;
• Forests;
• Hydrology;
• Pollutants.

If you are attending the conference, we welcome you to visit our booth. Our delegates look forward to meeting you in person and answering any questions that you may have. For more information about the conference, please visit the following link: https://www.espconference.org/esp11/homepage.

Conservation (ISSN: 2673-7159) is pleased to add the following eight researchers to the 2024 Early Career Editorial Board and congratulates them on becoming part of the Conservartion community!

	Name: Dr. Alexandra D. Solomou Email: solomou@fria.gr Affiliation: Institute of Mediterranean and Forest Ecosystems, Hellenic Agricultural Organization- DIMITRA, 11528 Athens, Greece Research interests: utilization and conservation of plant biodiversity; biodiversity indicators; aromatic and medicinal plants; ecosystem function; services and resilience; environmental impacts and threats to biodiversity; restoring biodiversity; ecology Homepages: https://www.prevailforestfires.eu/project/partners/demeter/ Publications: https://www.scopus.com/authid/detail.uri?authorId=36125575800
	Name: Dr. Dejun Yang Email: dejunyang@cumt.edu.cn Affiliation: School of Environment Science and Spatial Informatics, China University of Mining and Technology, Xuzhou 221116, China Research interests: environmental geotechnical engineering; ecological restoration and soil pollution; control in mining areas Homepage: https://cesi.cumt.edu.cn/info/1322/2658.htm Publications: https://www.scopus.com/authid/detail.uri?authorId=55717957300
	Name: Dr. Gustavo Freire de Carvalho Souza Email: gustavo.souza@csic.es Affiliations: 1. Universidade Católica do Salvador (UCSal), Campus de Pituaçu, Av. Prof. Pinto de Aguiar, Pituaçu, Salvador 41.740-090, BA, Brazil; 2. Instituto de Ciencias Marinas de Andalucía (ICMAN-CSIC), Campus Universitario Río San Pedro, 11519 Puerto Real, Cádiz, Spain Research interests: marine biology; estuarine and coastal ecology and dynamics; biodiversity and conservation; ecosystem analysis and modeling; biological Invasions Homepage: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-4569-4782 Publications: https://www.scopus.com/authid/detail.uri?authorId=57031836300
	Name: Dr. Chunyi Li Email: chunyili@126.com Affiliation: Beijing Key Laboratory of Wetland Services and Restoration, Institute of Wetland Research, Chinese Academy of Forestry, Beijing 100091, China Research interests: wetland research methodology; wetland ecology; wetland resource management Homepage: https://www.caf.ac.cn/info/1781/45080.htm Publications: https://www.scopus.com/authid/detail.uri?authorId=55545752500
	Name: Dr. Yiannis G. Zevgolis Email: zevgolis@env.aegean.gr Affiliation: Biodiversity Conservation Laboratory, Department of Environment, University of the Aegean, 81132 Mytilene, Greece Research interests: forest ecology; urban forestry; agro-ecosystem conservation; wildlife conservation; conservation physiology; behavioral ecology; non-invasive methods Homepage: https://www.env.aegean.gr/all_staff/yiannis-g-zevgolis/ Publications: https://www.scopus.com/authid/detail.uri?authorId=57202087763
	Name: Dr. James Lucas da Costa Lima Email: james.lima@ufersa.edu.br Affiliation: Herbário HUEFS, Universidade Estadual de Feira de Santana, Feira de Santana 44036-900, Brazil Research interests: systematics; plant taxonomy; plant nomenclature; plant ecology; evolution; conservation; ornamental plants Homepage: https://sigaa.ufersa.edu.br/sigaa/public/docente/portal.jsf?siape=1269586 Publications: https://www.scopus.com/authid/detail.uri?authorId=55818148000
	Name: Dr. Francesco Sica Email: francesco.sica@uniroma1.it Affiliation: Department of Architecture and Design, Sapienza University of Rome, via Flaminia 359, 00196 Rome, Italy Research interests: economic evaluation of projects; environmental economy; evaluation of ecosystem services; decision-support systems; multicriteria analysis; mathematical programming Homepage: https://corsidilaurea.uniroma1.it/it/users/francescosicauniroma1it Publications: https://www.scopus.com/authid/detail.uri?authorId=58410428900
	Name: Vladyslav Zakharovskyi Email: v.zakharovskyi@massey.ac.nz Affiliation: School of Agriculture and Environment, Massey University, Palmerston North 4474, New Zealand Research interests: geodiversity; geoeducation; geotourism; geoconservation; remote sensing; GIS Homepage: https://www.massey.ac.nz/massey/expertise/college-staff-lists/college-of-sciences/school-of-agriculture-and-environment-staff.cfm?stref=916922 Publications: https://www.scopus.com/authid/detail.uri?authorId=57256950300

Mother Earth is sending us an urgent call to action as nature suffers from the devastating impacts of human activity. Our oceans are choked with plastic and acidifying, while extreme heat, wildfires, and floods have disrupted millions of lives. Climate change, deforestation, unsustainable agriculture, illegal wildlife trade, and other human-driven disruptions are accelerating the destruction of ecosystems and biodiversity. As we mark the third Mother Earth Day within the UN Decade on Ecosystem Restoration, it is clear that healthy ecosystems are vital for all life on Earth. Restoring damaged ecosystems can help end poverty, fight climate change, and prevent mass extinction, but success depends on everyone playing their part. Together, we must act now to heal our planet and secure a sustainable future for generations to come.

On this significant day, we are proud to present a curated collection of articles and initiatives dedicated to groundbreaking research and innovative solutions for protecting and restoring our planet. As we celebrate Mother Earth and reflect on the urgent need for action, these contributions highlight critical efforts to combat climate change, restore ecosystems, and promote sustainability. We invite readers to explore these resources and join us in our shared mission to safeguard the health of our planet for future generations. Together, we can make a lasting impact and ensure a thriving, resilient Earth for all.

Keynote Speakers

“The Conservation of Biodiverse and Threatened Dry Rainforest Plant Communities Is Vital in a Changing Climate”
by Marion Howard, Hilary Pearl, Bill McDonald, Yoko Shimizu, Sanjeev Kumar Srivastava and Alison Shapcott
Conservation 2024, 4(4), 657-684; https://doi.org/10.3390/conservation4040040

“Ten Years of Mediterranean Monk Seal Stranding Records in Greece under the Microscope: What Do the Data Suggest?”
by Maria Solanou, Aliki Panou, Irida Maina, Stefanos Kavadas and Marianna Giannoulaki
Animals 2024, 14(9), 1309; https://doi.org/10.3390/ani14091309

“Groundwater Temperature Stripes: A Simple Method to Communicate Groundwater Temperature Variations Due to Climate Change”
by Manuela Lasagna, Elena Egidio and Domenico Antonio De Luca
Water 2024, 16(5), 717; https://doi.org/10.3390/w16050717

“Resilience of an Urban Coastal Ecosystem in the Caribbean: A Remote Sensing Approach in Western Puerto Rico”
by Yadiel Noel Bonilla-Roman and Salvador Francisco Acuña-Guzman
Earth 2024, 5(1), 72-89; https://doi.org/10.3390/earth5010004

“Particulate Matter in the American Southwest: Detection and Analysis of Dust Storms Using Surface Measurements and Ground-Based LIDAR”
by Joscelyne Guzman-Gonzalez, Rosa M. Fitzgerald, Nakul N. Karle, Ricardo K. Sakai and William R. Stockwell
Atmosphere 2024, 15(1), 110; https://doi.org/10.3390/atmos15010110

“An Imported Environmental Crisis: Plastic Mismanagement in Africa”
by Gilbert Moyen Massa and Vasiliki-Maria Archodoulaki
Sustainability 2024, 16(2), 672; https://doi.org/10.3390/su16020672

“The Effect of Habitat on Insect Movements: Experimental Evidence from Wild-Caught Butterflies”
by Matteo Marcantonio, Raluca Voda, Daniele Da Re, Quentin Igot, Roger L. H. Dennis, Aurélien Vielfaure, Sophie O. Vanwambeke and Caroline M. Nieberding
Insects 2023, 14(9), 737; https://doi.org/10.3390/insects14090737

“Artificial Reefs around the World: A Review of the State of the Art and a Meta-Analysis of Its Effectiveness for the Restoration of Marine Ecosystems”
by Carolina Bracho-Villavicencio, Helena Matthews-Cascon and Sergio Rossi
Environments 2023, 10(7), 121; https://doi.org/10.3390/environments10070121

“Topography, Slope and Geomorphology’s Influences on Shoreline Dynamics along Dakar’s Southern Coast, Senegal”
by Ibrahima Pouye, Dieudonné Pessièzoum Adjoussi, Jacques André Ndione and Amadou Sall
Coasts 2023, 3(1), 93-112; https://doi.org/10.3390/coasts3010006

“Potential Use of Industrial Biomass Waste as a Sustainable Energy Source in the Future”
by Tomasz Kalak
Energies 2023, 16(4), 1783; https://doi.org/10.3390/en16041783