Announcements

11 July 2023
MDPI’s Newly Launched Journals in June 2023

With the first issue released in June 2023, five new MDPI journals disseminating multi-disciplinary science are due to launch, which will cover the subjects of medicine & pharmacology, biology and physical sciences.

The newly launched journals will be overseen by professional Editorial Board Members and Editors to ensure an accurate and rapid publication, rigorous peer review and broad visibility.

Please feel free to browse and discover more about the new journals below.

Journal Founding Editor-in-Chief Journal topics (selected)
Prof. Dr. Jun Ma, Peking University, China| Editorial | view inaugural issue growth and development;
diet and nutrients; school health promotion policies and practices; child health and care; adolescent health and wellbeing | view journal scope | submit an article
Prof. Dr. Bernd Rehm, Griffith University, Australia | Editorial | view inaugural issue DNA and gene synthesis; synthetic transcription factors; protein engineering; viral engineering; metabolic engineering | view journal scope | submit an article
Prof. Dr. Varsha Gandhi, University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, USA | Editorial | view inaugural issue lymphatics; cancers associated with lymphocytes and lymphoblasts; lymphatic tissues; lymphoma; lymphoid leukemia | view journal scope | submit an article
Dr. Bradley Turner, University of Melbourne, Australia | Editorial | view inaugural issue multiple sclerosis; amyotrophic lateral sclerosis; primary lateral sclerosis; atherosclerosis; systemic sclerosis | view journal scope | submit an article
Prof. Dr. Clemens Burda, Case Western Reserve University, USA | Editorial | view inaugural issue Gamma ray, X-ray, and UV–Vis spectroscopies; NIR/mid-infrared/Raman spectroscopy; microwave and THz spectroscopy; high-resolution gas-phase atomic, molecular, and cluster spectroscopy; MS, NMR, and EPR spectroscopy | view journal scope | submit an article

We wish to thank everyone who has supported the development of open access publishing. You are welcome to submit an application to the New Journal Committee (newjournal-committee@mdpi.com) if you would like to create more new journals.

3 July 2023
MDPI Insights: The CEO's Letter #1 - Open Access and Impactful Research

Welcome to the MDPI Insights: The CEO's Letter.

In these monthly letters, I will showcase two key aspects of our work at MDPI: our commitment to empowering researchers and our determination to facilitating open scientific exchange.


Opening Thoughts

The Future is Open, and MDPI is Leading the Way

I strongly believe in a future that embraces openness, where open source, open information, and open access (OA) take center stage. This belief that led me to join MDPI in 2020, and I am honored to have recently been appointed as Chief Executive Officer (CEO). In this capacity, and operating in close liaison with Dr. Lin and MDPI’s senior management, I shall work to build on Dr. Lin’s achievements of the past quarter-century. In this role, I will focus on communication initiatives to promote MDPI's remarkable work and continue to build our company as a trusted leader in OA publishing. For over two decades, MDPI has been at the forefront of reshaping the academic publishing landscape, with OA surpassing subscription-based publishing in 2020. This trajectory is deeply rooted in our history and reflects our unwavering commitment and vision for an open future.

1 Million Published Articles

2023 began with a remarkable achievement for MDPI, as we became the first OA publisher to reach the milestone of 1 million published articles. This represents 2.7 million unique authors who have trusted us with their work, or about a third of all researchers worldwide. As the world's most cited OA publisher, we are proud in sharing these significant milestones.

Our mission remains unchanged: to make science open and accessible to all. We understand the importance of knowledge access, empowering researchers to stay at the forefront of a rapidly changing world. Our diverse range of journals covers a wide spectrum of disciplines, offering cutting-edge insights, trusted tools, and crucial knowledge to address global challenges.

Liberating Science

As the world’s leading OA publisher, MDPI is actively liberating science. We are committed to eliminating the frustrations researchers and the general public face when accessing information, ensuring it is not locked behind paywalls. We firmly believe that everyone has a right to information, and our commitment to open access publishing drives our work.

In this inaugural edition of Insights: The CEO's Letter, I draw inspiration from the upcoming 20th anniversary of the Berlin Declaration on Open Access. Its stated mission reminds us that true impact is achieved when knowledge is widely and readily available to society:

"Our mission of disseminating knowledge is only half complete if the information is not made widely and readily available to society”

Impactful Research

MDPI Publishes Impactful Research: Recognized by Leading Indexing Databases

MDPI journals are indexed in every single top database in the world.

As of June 2023, we have 214 journals indexed within Web of Science, 223 indexed within Scopus, 87 indexed within PubMed and PMC, and 17 indexed within MEDLINE, and these numbers increase every month. We constantly strive to expand the coverage of our journals within leading multi-disciplinary and scope-specific databases, resulting in an incredibly broad range of journals that are indexed within a variety of databases. MDPI has active relationships with approximately 65 well-known databases around the world, and we continue to expand our portfolio every year so that your work can be found, cited, and referenced with ease.

Continued Growth of MDPI Journals

The 2022 Scopus and Web of Science journal citation metrics were officially released in June, and I am pleased to report that 31 MDPI journals received their first CiteScore, taking the total number of journals with a CiteScore to 216. The number of MDPI journals receiving an Impact Factor (IF) also continues to grow with 111 receiving their first, by being covered in the ESCI, bringing our total number of journals with an IF to 208 of which 41 journals received an IF above 4.0. Looking at 2022 CiteScores in the Scopus database, 80% of MDPI journals have a score that ranks them in Q1 or Q2 in at least one subject category.

Publishing impactful science would not be possible without all of our authors, editors and reviewers. Thank you for your contribution and continued support! Together we share the latest scientific insights faster and ensure that your work is accessible to all.

Read more

Interview with Indexing Manager—Constanze Shelhorn

Inside MDPI

Preprints.org: Clarivate adds the Preprint Citation Index to the Web of Science

At MDPI, we are dedicated to driving the advancement of science. Through our initiative, Preprints.org, researchers can publish their work and gain valuable feedback from the broader research community, ensuring rapid progress in their respective fields. This is particularly crucial during times of health and climate challenges, where timely dissemination of findings is essential.

Increased Visibility for Preprints

I am pleased to share that Clarivate recognizes the significance of preprints and has taken a crucial step to enhance their visibility. Clarivate has added the Preprint Citation Index to the Web of Science, encompassing preprints published not only on Preprints.org but also on other reputable repositories.

Looking ahead, the future of preprints appears promising, bolstered by the recent indexing announcement from the Web of Science. As a result, preprints will receive increased visibility, serving as a valuable resource for staying informed about the latest research developments.

Read more

What are Preprints?
The Pros and Cons of Preprints
Preprints and COVID-19
Preprints—The Future of Open Access Publishing?

Coming Together for Science

The First International Conference on Antioxidants: Sources, Methods, Health Benefits and Industrial Applications

In this edition of ‘Coming Together for Science,’ I am pleased to highlight the First International Conference on Antioxidants organized by our conference team in the beautiful city of Barcelona, Spain. The conference attracted over 130 attendees, who engaged in 42 talks, and 89 poster presentations spread across several sessions.

Working Together

Under the leadership of Prof. Dr. Alessandra Napolitano (Department of Chemical Sciences, University of Naples ‘Federico II’, Naples, Italy) and Prof. Dr. Rosa M. Lamuela Raventos (Department of Nutrition, Food Sciences and Gastronomy, University of Barcelona, Spain) as chairs, and supported by the committee members, 10 invited keynote speakers, poster presenters, and all the attendees, this dedicated group of academics came together to discuss the natural sources, methodologies, health benefits, and industrial applications of antioxidants.

Especially noteworthy is the positive feedback received from attendees, with 94% rating the overall organization of the conference as good or excellent. I particularly love the picture above, capturing the gathering of some of the participants. You can browse through more photos in the event gallery located here.

Managing Events With Sciforum

If you are considering hosting your own academic event, I highly recommend checking out Sciforum, MDPI's event management platform. Sciforum simplifies the entire process, making it easy to host your own event by allowing you to focus on what really matters: Science!

Read more

Sciforum: forthcoming events
Spotlight on Antioxidants

Closing Thoughts

Stefan Tochev, Dr. Shu-Kun Lin, Dr. Eric O. Freed, Peter Roth, Wynne Wang, Allison Yang

Viruses and Editorial Quality: Acknowledging the Dedication of our Viruses Journal Team

During a June meeting with Dr. Eric O. Freed, the founding and current Editor-in-Chief of our journal Viruses, I was reminded of the exceptional dedication of our editorial board. Meeting with Eric is a pleasure, as he has a strong commitment and clear vision for the journal. Over the course of two days, we gained a deep understanding of the journal’s expectations and focus on strategic growth, editorial board representation, and engagement.

I am pleased to share that Viruses holds a CiteScore of 7.1 (an increase of 7.57% versus the 2021 metric) and an Impact Factor of 4.7. You can view the journal statistics here. Viruses publishes highly cited papers, and is indexed in renowned databases such as Scopus, SCIE (Web of Science), PubMed, and others, and maintains affiliations with prestigious societies. Moreover, the Viruses team has recently announced an exciting upcoming event titled ‘Viruses 2024 – A World of Viruses,’ scheduled to take place in Barcelona, Spain, from 14–16 February 2024.

Testimonials

If you notice my enthusiasm regarding our editorial service, it’s because the surveys and testimonials we receive speak volumes about the experiences of our authors, reviewers, and guest editors who collaborate with MDPI. The purpose of these letters is to highlight the exceptional work that we do and the experiences we create for the scholars – thus, let me end with this testimonial from an author:

“It was a great pleasure to publish in Viruses Special Issue [Emerging Viruses in Aquaculture]. The submission process was easy. Guest editors were very helpful and provided all the guidance and support as needed. The handling of the manuscript by the Editorial Team was very fast, efficient, and professional. The reviewer’s comments were insightful, and the publication processes were remarkably rapid.”
Ms. Magdalena Stachnik, Państwowy Instytut Weterynaryjny | PIWet

Article in Viruses: Emerging Viral Pathogens in Sturgeon Aquaculture in Poland: Focus on Herpesviruses and Mimivirus Detection

Stefan Tochev
Chief Executive Officer
MDPI AG

28 June 2023
2022 Impact Factors for MDPI Journals

The 2022 citation metrics have been released in the Journal Citation Reports (JCR), and we’re pleased to announce the following results for MDPI journals:

We are thrilled to announce that 90% of our ranked MDPI journals, specifically 86 out of 96 (captured in the table below), are performing above average in Q1 or Q2. This year, Clarivate has expanded its Impact Factor (IF) awards to include journals in the Emerging Sources Citation Index (ESCI) and the Arts and Humanities Citation Index (AHCI), providing greater transparency for the full set of journals indexed in the Web of Science Core Collection. As a result, 111 of MDPI journals have received their first IF in 2023, with 37 journals surpassing an IF of 3.0. In total, 208 MDPI journals have been honored with an IF.

Clarivate explains that by "expanding the coverage but holding to highly selective standards, the [Impact Factor] is now a reliable indicator of trustworthiness, as well as a measure of scholarly impact, at the journal level."

Please visit our blog post where we discuss the release of the latest citation metrics with our Indexing Manager, Dr. Constanze Schelhorn, to find out what's different this time around and how to make use of different metrics available.

Journal Impact Factor Rank Quartile Category
Vaccines 7.8 Q1 Immunology
Medicine, Research & Experimental
Antioxidants 7.0 Q1 Food Science & Technology
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Chemistry, Medicinal
Cells 6.0 Q2 Cell Biology
Nutrients 5.9 Q1 Nutrition & Dietetics
International Journal of Molecular Sciences 5.6 Q1 Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Q2 Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Journal of Theoretical and Applied Electronic Commerce Research 5.6 Q2 Business
Biomolecules 5.5 Q1 Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Biosensors 5.4 Q1 Chemistry, Analytical
Instruments & Instrumentation
Q2 Nanoscience & Nanotechnology
Fractal and Fractional 5.4 Q1 Mathematics, Interdisciplinary Applications
Marine Drugs 5.4 Q1 Chemistry, Medicinal
Pharmacology & Pharmacy
Pharmaceutics 5.4 Q1 Pharmacology & Pharmacy
Nanomaterials 5.3 Q1 Physics, Applied
Q2 Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Materials Science, Multidisciplinary
Nanoscience & Nanotechnology
Cancers 5.2 Q2 Oncology
Foods 5.2 Q1 Food Science & Technology
Polymers 5.0 Q1 Polymer Science
Remote Sensing 5.0 Q1 Geosciences, Multidisciplinary
Q2 Remote Sensing
Imaging Science & Photographic Technology
Environmental Sciences
Antibiotics 4.8 Q1 Pharmacology & Pharmacy
Q2 Infectious Diseases
Drones 4.8 Q2 Remote Sensing
Journal of Functional Biomaterials 4.8 Q2 Engineering, Biomedical
Materials Science, Biomaterials
Biomedicines 4.7 Q1 Pharmacology & Pharmacy
Q2 Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Medicine, Research & Experimental
Journal of Fungi 4.7 Q2 Mycology
Microbiology
Viruses 4.7 Q2 Virology
Bioengineering 4.6 Q2 Engineering, Biomedical
Gels 4.6 Q1 Polymer Science
Molecules 4.6 Q2 Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Pharmaceuticals 4.6 Q2 Pharmacology & Pharmacy
Chemistry, Medicinal
Toxics 4.6 Q1 Toxicology
Q2 Environmental Sciences
Biomimetics 4.5 Q1 Engineering, Multidisciplinary
Q2 Materials Science, Biomaterials
Microorganisms 4.5 Q2 Microbiology
Plants 4.5 Q1 Plant Sciences
Biology 4.2 Q2 Biology
Chemosensors 4.2 Q2 Instruments & Instrumentation
Chemistry, Analytical
Electrochemistry
Membranes 4.2 Q2 Engineering, Chemical
Materials Science, Multidisciplinary
Chemistry, Physical
Polymer Science
Toxins 4.2 Q1 Toxicology
Q2 Food Science & Technology
Metabolites 4.2 Q2 Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Batteries 4.0 Q2 Electrochemistry
Materials Science, Multidisciplinary
Q3 Energy & Fuels
Catalysts 3.9 Q2 Chemistry, Physical
Journal of Clinical Medicine 3.9 Q2 Medicine, General & Internal
Land 3.9 Q2 Environmental Studies
Sensors 3.9 Q2 Instruments & Instrumentation
Chemistry, Analytical
Engineering, Electrical & Electronic
Sustainability 3.9 Q2 Environmental Sciences (SCIE)
Environmental Studies (SSCI)
Q3 Green & Sustainable Science & Technology (SCIE)
Green & Sustainable Science & Technology (SSCI)
Buildings 3.8 Q2 Construction & Building Technology
Engineering, Civil
Agronomy 3.7 Q1 Agronomy
Q2 Plant Sciences
Fermentation 3.7 Q2 Biotechnology & Applied Microbiology
Pathogens 3.7 Q2 Microbiology
Agriculture 3.6 Q1 Agronomy
Diagnostics 3.6 Q2 Medicine, General & Internal
Genes 3.5 Q2 Genetics & Heredity
Journal of Intelligence 3.5 Q2 Psychology, Multidisciplinary
Lubricants 3.5 Q2 Engineering, Mechanical
Processes 3.5 Q2 Engineering, Chemical
Coatings 3.4 Q2 Materials Science, Coatings & Films
Physics, Applied
Q3 Materials Science, Multidisciplinary
ISPRS International Journal of Geo-Information 3.4 Q2 Geography, Physical
Q3 Computer Science, Information Systems
Remote Sensing
Materials 3.4 Q2 Metallurgy & Metallurgical Engineering
Physics, Applied
Physics, Condensed Matter
Q3 Materials Science, Multidisciplinary
Chemistry, Physical
Micromachines 3.4 Q2 Instruments & Instrumentation
Physics, Applied
Chemistry, Analytical
Q3 Nanoscience & Nanotechnology
Water 3.4 Q2 Water Resources
Environmental Sciences
Brain Sciences 3.3 Q3 Neurosciences
Energies 3.2 Q3 Energy & Fuels
Fire 3.2 Q1 Forestry
Q2 Ecology
Life 3.2 Q2 Biology
Current Issues in Molecular Biology 3.1 Q3 Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Horticulturae 3.1 Q1 Horticulture
Animals 3.0 Q1 Agriculture, Dairy & Animal Science
Veterinary Sciences
Insects 3.0 Q1 Entomology
Atmosphere 2.9 Q3 Meteorology & Atmospheric Sciences
Environmental Sciences
Electronics 2.9 Q2 Engineering, Electrical & Electronic
Physics, Applied
Q3 Computer Science, Information Systems
Forests 2.9 Q1 Forestry
Inorganics 2.9 Q2 Chemistry, Inorganic & Nuclear
Journal of Marine Science and Engineering 2.9 Q1 Engineering, Marine
Q2 Oceanography
Engineering, Ocean
Metals 2.9 Q2 Metallurgy & Metallurgical Engineering
Q3 Materials Science, Multidisciplinary
Tropical Medicine and Infectious Disease 2.9 Q2 Tropical Medicine
Parasitology
Q3 Infectious Diseases
Universe 2.9 Q2 Astronomy & Astrophysics
Physics, Particles & Fields
Healthcare 2.8 Q2 Health Policy & Services (SSCI)
Q3 Health Care Sciences & Services (SCIE)
Applied Sciences 2.7 Q2 Engineering, Multidisciplinary
Physics, Applied
Q3 Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Materials Science, Multidisciplinary
Crystals 2.7 Q2 Crystallography
Q3 Materials Science, Multidisciplinary
Entropy 2.7 Q2 Physics, Multidisciplinary
Magnetochemistry 2.7 Q2 Chemistry, Inorganic & Nuclear
Q3 Chemistry, Physical
Materials Science, Multidisciplinary
Symmetry 2.7 Q2 Multidisciplinary Sciences
Actuators 2.6 Q2 Instruments & Instrumentation
Engineering, Mechanical
Aerospace 2.6 Q1 Engineering, Aerospace
Behavioral Sciences 2.6 Q2 Psychology, Multidisciplinary
Current Oncology 2.6 Q3 Oncology
Machines 2.6 Q2 Engineering, Mechanical
Q3 Engineering, Electrical & Electronic
Medicina 2.6 Q3 Medicine, General & Internal
Separations 2.6 Q3 Chemistry, Analytical
Minerals 2.5 Q2 Mining & Mineral Processing
Mineralogy
Geochemistry & Geophysics
Children 2.4 Q2 Pediatrics
Diversity 2.4 Q2 Biodiversity Conservation
Q3 Ecology
Journal of Cardiovascular Development and Disease 2.4 Q3 Cardiac & Cardiovascular Systems
Mathematics 2.4 Q1 Mathematics
Photonics 2.4 Q3 Optics
Veterinary Sciences 2.4 Q1 Veterinary Sciences
Fishes 2.3 Q2 Marine & Freshwater Biology
Fisheries
Axioms 2.0 Q2 Mathematics, Applied
Systems 1.9 Q2 Social Sciences, Interdisciplinary
Tomography 1.9 Q3 Radiology, Nuclear Medicine & Medical Imaging


Note: The Journal of Personalized Medicine's Impact Factor was omitted in the original release and will be assigned separately. Please find the data on the journal webpage in due course.

Source: 2022 Journal Impact Factors, Journal Citation Reports TM (Clarivate, 2023)

 

24 May 2023
Diversity | Top 10 Cited Papers in 2021–2022 in the Section “Microbial Diversity and Culture Collections”

1. “COLMENA: A Culture Collection of Native Microorganisms for Harnessing the Agro-Biotechnological Potential in Soils and Contributing to Food Security”
by Sergio de los Santos-Villalobos, Alondra María Díaz-Rodríguez, María Fernanda Ávila-Mascareño, Andrea Denisse Martínez-Vidales and Fannie Isela Parra-Cota
Diversity 2021, 13(8), 337; https://doi.org/10.3390/d13080337
Available online: https://www.mdpi.com/1424-2818/13/8/337

2. “Zobellia barbeyronii sp. nov., a New Member of the Family Flavobacteriaceae, Isolated from Seaweed, and Emended Description of the Species Z. amurskyensis, Z. laminariae, Z. russellii and Z. uliginosa
by Olga Nedashkovskaya, Nadezhda Otstavnykh, Natalia Zhukova, Konstantin Guzev, Viktoria Chausova, Liudmila Tekutyeva, Valery Mikhailov and Marina Isaeva
Diversity 2021, 13(11), 520; https://doi.org/10.3390/d13110520
Available online: https://www.mdpi.com/1424-2818/13/11/520

3. “Soil Microbial Community Based on PLFA Profiles in an Age Sequence of Pomegranate Plantation in the Middle Yellow River Floodplain”
by Shilin Wang, Xinyu Yan, Dong Wang, Imran Ahammad Siddique, Ji Chen, Qi Xu, Cancan Zhao, Leyun Yang, Yuan Miao and Shijie Han
Diversity 2021, 13(9), 408; https://doi.org/10.3390/d13090408
Available online: https://www.mdpi.com/1424-2818/13/9/408

4. “The Diversity of Root-Associated Endophytic Fungi from Four Epiphytic Orchids in China
by Tao Wang, Miao Chi, Ling Guo, Donghuan Liu, Yu Yang and Yu Zhang
Diversity 2021, 13(5), 197; https://doi.org/10.3390/d13050197
Available online: https://www.mdpi.com/1424-2818/13/5/197

5. “Genome Insights into the Novel Species Jejubacter calystegiae, a Plant Growth-Promoting Bacterium in Saline Conditions
by Ling Min Jiang, Yong Jae Lee, Ho Le Han, Myoung Hui Lee, Jae Cheol Jeong, Cha Young Kim, Suk Weon Kim and Ji Young Lee
Diversity 2021, 13(1), 24; https://doi.org/10.3390/d13010024
Available online: https://www.mdpi.com/1424-2818/13/1/24

6. “Vibrio spp.: Life Strategies, Ecology, and Risks in a Changing Environment”
by Ana Sampaio, Vanessa Silva, Patrícia Poeta and Florin Aonofriesei
Diversity 2022, 14(2), 97; https://doi.org/10.3390/d14020097
Available online: https://www.mdpi.com/1424-2818/14/2/97

7. “New Records of Powdery Mildews from Taiwan: Erysiphe ipomoeae comb. nov., E. aff. betae on Buckwheat, and E. neolycopersici comb. nov. on Cardiospermum halicacabum
by Hui-Yu Hsiao, Hiran A. Ariyawansa, Ching-Ching Hsu, Chao-Jen Wang and Yuan-Min Shen
Diversity 2022, 14(3), 204; https://doi.org/10.3390/d14030204
Available online: https://www.mdpi.com/1424-2818/14/3/204

8. “Factors in the Distribution of Mycorrhizal and Soil Fungi”
by Daniel Janowski and Tomasz Leski
Diversity 2022, 14(12), 1122; https://doi.org/10.3390/d14121122
Available online: https://www.mdpi.com/1424-2818/14/12/1122

9. “Mechanisms Generating Dichotomies in the Life Strategies of Heterotrophic Marine Prokaryotes
by Tron Frede Thingstad, Lise Øvreås and Olav Vadstein
Diversity 2022, 14(3), 217; https://doi.org/10.3390/d14030217
Available online: https://www.mdpi.com/1424-2818/14/3/217

10. “Study of Rhizosphere Microbial Community Structures of Asian Wild and Cultivated Rice Showed That Cultivated Rice Had Decreased and Enriched Some Functional Microorganisms in the Process of Domestication
by Jianfeng Zhang, Zongmu Yao, Yalin Chen, Jiafan Zhang, Shouyang Luo, Chunjie Tian and Lei Tian
Diversity 2022, 14(2), 67; https://doi.org/10.3390/d14020067
Available online: https://www.mdpi.com/1424-2818/14/2/67

19 May 2023
2023 International Day for Biological Diversity

The International Day for Biological Diversity will be celebrated on 22 May 2023, under the theme “From Agreement to Action: Build Back Biodiversity”, which aims to raise awareness and understanding of biodiversity issues. Biodiversity refers to the diversity of all life forms on Earth, including genetic, species, and ecosystem diversity. Biological diversity resources are the pillars upon which we build civilizations; however, the loss of biodiversity threatens everything, including our health. We hope that the established MDPI journals on life sciences and biology, including Biology, Diversity, Fishes, Birds, Insects, Water, Forests, Grasses, Life, Seeds, Agriculture, and Agronomy, will provide suitable communication platforms. The aim is to strengthen scientific cooperation in response to the International Day for Biological Diversity and to embrace the potential to promote sustainable development.

Avifaunal Diversity and Abundance in the Proposed Sarasalai Mangrove Reserve, Jaffna, Sri Lanka”
by Nitharsan Aloysius, Shashi Madhushanka and Chathuri Chandrika
Birds 2023, 4(1), 103-116; https://doi.org/10.3390/birds4010009

Perils of Underestimating Species Diversity: Revisiting Systematics of Psammocambeva Catfishes (Siluriformes: Trichomycteridae) from the Rio Paraíba do Sul Basin, South-Eastern Brazil
by Wilson J. E. M. Costa, José Leonardo Mattos, Paulo J. Vilardo, Pedro F. Amorim and Axel M. Katz
Taxonomy 2022, 2(4), 491-523; https://doi.org/10.3390/taxonomy2040032

Environmental DNA Metabarcoding: A Novel Contrivance for Documenting Terrestrial Biodiversity
by Shahnawaz Hassan, Sabreena, Peter Poczai, Bashir Ah Ganai, Waleed Hassan Almalki, Abdul Gafur and R. Z. Sayyed
Biology 2022, 11(9), 1297; https://doi.org/10.3390/biology11091297

Dam Construction Impacts Fish Biodiversity in a Subtropical River Network, China
by Xiongjun Liu, Julian D. Olden, Ruiwen Wu, Shan Ouyang and Xiaoping Wu
Diversity 2022, 14(6), 476; https://doi.org/10.3390/d14060476

Human Communities in Protected Natural Areas and Biodiversity Conservation
by Elizabeth Olmos-Martínez, Heidi Leticia Romero-Schmidt, María del Carmen Blázquez, Camilo Arias-González and Alfredo Ortega-Rubio
Diversity 2022, 14(6), 441; https://doi.org/10.3390/d14060441

Effects of Habitat Fragmentation on the Population Structure and Genetic Diversity of Erythroneurini in the Typical Karst Rocky Ecosystem, Southwest China”
by Chen Xiaoxiao, Jia Jiang, Ni Zhang, Xiao Yang, Yongkuan Chi and Yuehua Song
Insects 2022, 13(6), 499; https://doi.org/10.3390/insects13060499

Application of Ecological Restoration Technologies for the Improvement of Biodiversity and Ecosystem in the River”
by Li Pushuang, Dan Li, Xiaoqing Sun, Zhaosheng Chu, Ting Xia and Binghui Zheng
Water 2022, 14(9), 1402; https://doi.org/10.3390/w14091402

Conservation-Status Gaps for Marine Top-Fished Commercial Species
by Imanol Miqueleiz, Rafael Miranda, Arturo Hugo Ariño and Elena Ojea
Fishes 2022, 7(1), 2; https://doi.org/10.3390/fishes7010002

Special Issue: “Elasmobranch Biodiversity, Conservation and Management
Edited by: Dr. Fabrizio Serena and Dr. Fabio Fiorentino
Special Issue: “Systematics, Evolution, and Diversity of Dance Flies (Diptera, Empidoidea)
Edited by: Dr. Christophe Daugeron

Special Issue: “Taxonomy, Biodiversity and Ecology of Mediterranean Plants
Edited by: Dr. Saverio Sciandrello, Dr. Carmelo Maria Musarella and Dr. Ricardo Quinto-Canas
Special Issue: “Macro-Ecology, Macro-Evolution and Conservation of Animals and Plants
Edited by: Prof. Dr. Youhua Chen, Prof. Dr. Kaiwen Pan and Prof. Dr. Xiaohong Chen

International Day for Biological Diversity

Date and time: 22 May 2023, 9–11 a.m. (CEST)

This is a free webinar. After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information on how to join the webinar.

15 May 2023
Meet Us at the 10th FEMS Congress of European Microbiologists, 9–13 July 2023, Hamburg, Germany

FEMS was established in 1974 and is now an active and diverse federation of 55 European learned societies that includes around 30,000 professionals who are committed to advancing microbiology for the benefit of society. Located in 38 European countries, around half of these professionals are early career researchers, and the remainder include industry scientists, established academics, educators and campaigners. The 10th FEMS Congress of European Microbiologists will take place in Hamburg, Germany, from 9 to 13 July 2023. This event is dedicated to showcasing the latest developments in microbiology and to connecting microbiologists from all over the world.

Main topics:

  • Environmental Microbiology & Ecology;
  • Biotechnology & Synthetic Microbiology; 
  • Food Microbiology; 
  • Infection Biology & Pathogens; 
  • Infectious Diseases; 
  • Taxonomy & Systematics;
  • Genetics & Genomics;
  • Virology;
  • Microbiology Education & Profession;
  • Molecular Microbiology & Biochemistry.

The following MDPI journals will be represented:

If you are attending this conference, please feel free to start an online conversation with us. Our delegates look forward to meeting you at booth #B18 in person and answering any questions you may have. For more information about the conference and our virtual booth, please visit the following link: https://www.fems2023.org/.

27 April 2023
Diversity | Top 10 Cited Papers in 2020 and 2021 in the Section “Plant Diversity”

1. “Roles of Arbuscular Mycorrhizal Fungi on Plant Growth and Performance: Importance in Biotic and Abiotic Stressed Regulation”
by Nathalie Diagne, Mariama Ngom, Pape Ibrahima Djighaly, Dioumacor Fall, Valérie Hocher and Sergio Svistoonoff
Diversity 2020, 12(10), 370; https://doi.org/10.3390/d12100370
Available online: https://www.mdpi.com/1424-2818/12/10/370

2. “Neural Network Recognition of Marine Benthos and Corals”
by Alina Raphael, Zvy Dubinsky, David Iluz and Nathan S. Netanyahu
Diversity 2020, 12(1), 29; https://doi.org/10.3390/d12010029
Available online: https://www.mdpi.com/1424-2818/12/1/29

3. “Monitoring of Plant Species and Communities on Coastal Cliffs: Is the Use of Unmanned Aerial Vehicles Suitable?”
by Sandro Strumia, Maurizio Buonanno, Giovanna Aronne, Antonio Santo and Annalisa Santangelo
Diversity 2020, 12(4), 149; https://doi.org/10.3390/d12040149
Available online: https://www.mdpi.com/1424-2818/12/4/149

4. “Spatial and Temporal Trends of Burnt Area in Angola: Implications for Natural Vegetation and Protected Area Management”
by Silvia Catarino, Maria Manuel Romeiras, Rui Figueira, Valentine Aubard, João M. N. Silva and José M.C. Pereira
Diversity 2020, 12(8), 307; https://doi.org/10.3390/d12080307
Available online: https://www.mdpi.com/1424-2818/12/8/307

5. “Isolation and Identification of Endophytic Bacteria from Mycorrhizal Tissues of Terrestrial Orchids from Southern Chile”
by Héctor Herrera, Tedy Sanhueza, Alžběta Novotná, Trevor C. Charles and Cesar Arriagada
Diversity 2020, 12(2), 55; https://doi.org/10.3390/d12020055
Available online: https://www.mdpi.com/1424-2818/12/2/55

6. “Why Is the Alpine Flora Comparatively Robust against Climatic Warming?”
by Christian Körner and Erika Hiltbrunner
Diversity 2021, 13(8), 383; https://doi.org/ 10.3390/d13080383
Available online: https://www.mdpi.com/1424-2818/13/8/383

7. “Seeding Resilient Restoration: An Indicator System for the Analysis of Tree Seed Systems”
by Rachel J. Atkinson, Evert Thomas, Federico Roscioli, Jonathan P. Cornelius, Rene Zamora-Cristales, Maria Franco Chuaire, Carolina Alcázar, Francisco Mesén, Hariet Lopez, Roberto Ipinza et al.
Diversity 2021, 13(8), 367; https://doi.org/10.3390/d13080367
Available online: https://www.mdpi.com/1424-2818/13/8/367

8. “Orchid Extinction over the Last 150 Years in the Czech Republic”
by Zuzana Štípková and Pavel Kindlmann
Diversity 2021, 13(2), 78; https://doi.org/10.3390/d13020078
Available online: https://www.mdpi.com/1424-2818/13/2/78

9. “Ethnolichenology—The Use of Lichens in the Himalayas and Southwestern Parts of China”
by Mei-Xia Yang, Shiva Devkota, Li-Song Wang and Christoph Scheidegger
Diversity 2021, 13(7), 330; https://doi.org/10.3390/d13070330
Available online: https://www.mdpi.com/1424-2818/13/7/330

10. “The Analysis of Italian Plant Agrobiodiversity Databases Reveals That Hilly and Sub-Mountain Areas Are Hotspots of Herbaceous Landraces
by Luca Giupponi, Davide Pedrali, Valeria Leoni, Alessia Rodari and Annamaria Giorgi
Diversity 2021, 13(2), 70; https://doi.org/10.3390/d13020070
Available online: https://www.mdpi.com/1424-2818/13/2/70

31 March 2023
Interview with Dr. Zhichao Zhou—Winner of the Diversity 2023 Young Investigator Award

We are pleased to announce the winner of the Diversity 2023 Young Investigator Award—Dr. Zhichao Zhou.

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Name: Dr. Zhichao Zhou
Affiliation: Department of Bacteriology at the University of Wisconsin–Madison, USA
Website: https://zczhou2017.wixsite.com/mysite

Dr. Zhichao Zhou is an Assistant Scientist in the Department of Bacteriology at the University of Wisconsin–Madison, USA. Dr. Zhou’s research interests are in the metagenome- and metatranscriptome-based interpretations of biogeochemical functions and activities, environmental and energy dynamics mediated by microorganisms, microbial community interactions, the environmental microbiome, the virome, and population genomics. Dr. Zhou received his Ph.D. in 2017 and has an outstanding publication record, comprising 47 publications in peer-reviewed international journals. His Google Scholar citation number is 2147, and his H-index is 23. He is a rising star in the field of environmental microbiomes and viromes. As a single applicant, Dr. Zhou has obtained multiple awards, including the Lorus J. and Margery J. Milne Scholarship (2016, MBL Microbial Diversity Course), the third prize of Polar Science Excellent Paper (2012, State Oceanic Administration of China), and a University Postgraduate Fellowship (2012, the University of Hong Kong). These are outstanding achievements in today’s competitive environment.

We thank the award committee for their hard work in the difficult task of selecting a winner from such a large number of exceptional candidates. We also thank all the nominees from various fields for their participation. We will continue to reward young scientists with the Young Investigator Award, and wish them every success in their careers.

The following is an interview with Dr. Zhichao Zhou:

1. Can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers?

I spent my childhood in a small town in central China and went on to study biology at Wuhan University. During my studies, I discovered a strong interest in microbiology and excelled in microbiology experiments. After completing my undergraduate studies, I pursued my graduate studies in Hong Kong, where I developed a range of molecular microbiological skills and gained experience in studying the molecular ecology of marine microbiology. I came to the United States before the pandemic and joined my current lab to study the marine microbiome and virome, especially focusing on the ecosystem of hydrothermal vents. In my free time, I enjoy riding my bicycle, listening to music, and exploring the woods. Furthermore, I am a big fan of brewed foods and drinks, such as beers, frozen yogurt, and chocolate, which are gifts from microorganisms to human beings.

2. What are you currently researching, and what made you choose this field?

In the later stage of my Ph.D. studies, I recognized the growing importance of high-throughput sequencing and large-scale data processing in microbial ecology and took the initiative to develop my skills in these areas with the help of my Ph.D. advisor. After completing my studies, I spent several years in a dry-experiment-based lab studying microbial evolution and ecology while also refining my bioinformatic skills. I am now an Assistant Scientist in Dr. Karthik Anathanraman’s lab, where I am leading a project on the ecological and evolutionary dynamics of freshwater lake viruses over a 20-year period. Our goal is to analyze changes in viral populations in response to seasonal and physicochemical variations by harnessing bioinformatic and statistical techniques. The freshwater lake—Lake Mendota—located just to the north of our university campus, is a research hotspot to study the microbiome and virome dynamics during a long-course time series. It is a very important component of the US Long-Term Ecological Research Network for North Temperate Lakes. The research outcome will significantly contribute to the current understanding of viral ecology and diversity, which leads to impactful influences on local freshwater lake environments.

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3. Have you had difficulties to overcome in your work? How did you approach those situations?

There will always be difficulties in researching science since many originally planned attempts may not work. Sometimes, small mistakes will lead to a big problem and cause lots of energy and time to re-check the whole pipeline. Sometimes, debugging the script itself is also painful and tends to be very stressful. At these times, I first try to take a deep breath, calm down, and re-organize my thoughts. Then, for me, making a to-do list and detailed time plans is usually a way to overcome these tough problems or tedious issues. Breaking down complex tasks into small, manageable steps and maintaining focus on one step at a time can lead to a more effective approach to finally achieving the goal. During each step, confidence will be established, and I will be more skillful and familiar with the problem.

4. What qualities do you think young scientists need?

Persistence, diligence, good habits, and a clear mind.

5. We are an Open Access journal. How do you think Open Access impacts authors?

Open Access journals can allow all academic members to access the publications easily. They also tend to have a wide range of editors and reviewers, which leads to a more diverse and open-course peer-reviewing system. Now, many society journals have changed to full or partial Open Access. I think this will be the trend of the future.

6. As the winner of this award, is there anything else you would like to say or anyone you would like to thank?

I want to thank my Ph.D. advisor, Prof. Ji-Dong Gu, who initially encouraged me to apply for this award. He guided me to this field, offered me lots of opportunities to reach out, and is still my advisor on many issues even today. I express my special gratitude to him.

For more information about Diversity awards, please refer to the following link: https://www.mdpi.com/journal/diversity/awards.

30 March 2023
Meet Us at the 2023 American Society for Microbiology Annual Meeting (ASM Microbe 2023), 15–19 June 2023, Houston, USA


The 2023 American Society for Microbiology Annual Meeting (ASM Microbe 2023) will be held in Houston, USA, from 15 to 19 June 2023. This annual meeting is the largest gathering of microbiologists in the world, and it is expected that nearly 8,000 professionals from all over the world will attend the meeting. Founded in 1899, the American Society for Microbiology (ASM) is the oldest and largest single life science society in the world, consisting of more than 50,000 scientists and health professionals, of which more than one-third of the members are from countries and regions outside the United States. The mission of the American Society for Microbiology is to promote and advance the science of microbiology.

Topics include:

  • Disaster Microbiology;
  • Emerging Infections – What is the next pandemic? (Focus on Nipah and Marburg);
  • Natural Product Discovery and Synthesis;
  • Combating the Climate Crisis with Critters: Microbial Carbon Capture;
  • Powering the Future: Applied Microbiology in the Energy Industry;
  • Equity and Access in Laboratory Diagnostics;
  • Microbiome Management in a Changing World.

The following MDPI journals will be represented:

  • Microorganisms;
  • Journal of Fungi;
  • Viruses;
  • Applied Biosciences;
  • MPs;
  • IJMS;
  • Vaccines;
  • Fermentation;
  • Diversity;
  • Metabolites;
  • Biomolecules;
  • Antibiotics;
  • Pathogens;
  • Life.

If you are attending this conference, please feel free to start an online conversation with us. Our delegates look forward to meeting you at booth number #2504 in person and answering any questions you may have. For more information about the conference and our virtual booth, please visit the following link: https://asm.org/Events/ASM-Microbe/Home.

21 March 2023
Diversity | Top 10 Cited Papers in 2021 and 2022 in the Section “Animal Diversity”

1. “Functional Diversity of Soil Nematodes in Relation to the Impact of Agriculture—A Review”
by Stela Lazarova, Danny Coyne, Mayra G. Rodríguez, Belkis Peteira and Aurelio Ciancio
Diversity 2021, 13(2), 64; https://doi.org/10.3390/d13020064
Available online: https://www.mdpi.com/1424-2818/13/2/64

2. “Karstic Landscapes Are Foci of Species Diversity in the World’s Third-Largest Vertebrate Genus Cyrtodactylus Gray, 1827 (Reptilia: Squamata; Gekkonidae)”
by Lee Grismer, Perry L. Wood, Nikolay A. Poyarkov, Minh D. Le, Suranjan Karunarathna, Siriwadee Chomdej, Chatmongkon Suwannapoom, Shuo Qi, Shuo Liu, Jing Che et al.
Diversity 2021, 13(5), 183; https://doi.org/10.3390/d13050183
Available online: https://www.mdpi.com/1424-2818/13/5/183

3. “The Current State of Eunicida (Annelida) Systematics and Biodiversity”
by Joana Zanol, Luis F. Carrera-Parra, Tatiana Menchini Steiner, Antonia Cecilia Z. Amaral, Helena Wiklund, Ascensão Ravara and Nataliya Budaeva
Diversity 2021, 13(2), 74; https://doi.org/10.3390/d13020074
Available online: https://www.mdpi.com/1424-2818/13/2/74

4. “Annelid Diversity: Historical Overview and Future Perspectives
by María Capa and Pat Hutchings
Diversity 2021, 13(3), 129; https://doi.org/10.3390/d13030129
Available online: https://www.mdpi.com/1424-2818/13/3/129

5. “The Role of Carrion in the Landscapes of Fear and Disgust: A Review and Prospects
by Marcos Moleón and José A. Sánchez-Zapata
Diversity 2021, 13(1), 28; https://doi.org/10.3390/d13010028
Available online: https://www.mdpi.com/1424-2818/13/1/28

6. “Microplastics Occurrence in the European Common Frog (Rana temporaria) from Cottian Alps (Northwest Italy)”
by Paolo Pastorino, Marino Prearo, Alessia Di Blasio, Damià Barcelò, Serena Anselmi, Silvia Coluss, Silvia Alberti, Giovanni Tedde, Alessandro Dondo, Michele Ottino et al.
Diversity 2022, 14(2), 66; https://doi.org/10.3390/d14020066
Available online: https://www.mdpi.com/1424-2818/14/2/66

7. Vibrio spp.: Life Strategies, Ecology, and Risks in a Changing Environment”
by Ana Sampaio, Vanessa Silva, Patrícia Poeta and Florin Aonofriesei
Diversity 2022, 14(2), 97; https://doi.org/10.3390/d14020097
Available online: https://www.mdpi.com/1424-2818/14/2/97

8. “Host Range of the Coral-Associated Worm Snail Petaloconchus sp. (Gastropoda: Vermetidae), a Newly Discovered Cryptogenic Pest Species in the Southern Caribbean”
by Bert W. Hoeksema, Charlotte E. Harper, Sean J. Langdon-Down, Roel J. van der Schoot, Annabel Smith-Moorhouse, Roselle Spaargaren and Rosalie F. Timmerman
Diversity 2022, 14(3), 196; https://doi.org/10.3390/d14030196
Available online: https://www.mdpi.com/1424-2818/14/3/196

9. “Morphological Modifications and Injuries of Corals Caused by Symbiotic Feather Duster Worms (Sabellidae) in the Caribbean
by Bert W. Hoeksema, Rosalie F. Timmerman, Roselle Spaargaren, Annabel Smith-Moorhouse, Roel J. van der Schoot, Sean J. Langdon-Down and Charlotte E. Harper
Diversity 2022, 14(5), 332; https://doi.org/10.3390/d14050332
Available online: https://www.mdpi.com/1424-2818/14/5/332

10. “Traditional Food and Medicine: Ethno-Traditional Usage of Fish Fauna across the Valley of Kashmir: A Western Himalayan Region
by Musheerul Hassan, Shiekh Marifatul Haq, Muhammad Majeed, Muhammad Umair, Hakim Ali Sahito, Madeeha Shirani, Muhammad Waheed, Robina Aziz, Riyaz Ahmad, Rainer W. Bussmann et al.
Diversity 2022, 14(6), 455; https://doi.org/10.3390/d14060455
Available online: https://www.mdpi.com/1424-2818/14/6/455

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