Announcements

The International Day for Biological Diversity, a global observance dedicated to raising awareness about the importance of biodiversity, is celebrated on 22 May. The theme of the 2026 International Day for Biological Diversity is “Acting Locally for Global Impact”. Biodiversity is critical to life—healthy ecosystems provide food, clean water, climate regulation, and disease control, supporting all forms of existence on Earth. Local actions such as restoring habitats, protecting endangered species, and promoting sustainable agriculture collectively generate global benefits for nature and people. However, rapid biodiversity loss continues to undermine these vital contributions, with profound impacts on human well-being and planetary stability. Echoing the mission of protecting biodiversity for a resilient future, established MDPI journals in the Biology&Life Sciences subject serve as platforms for scientific communication, fostering collaboration and innovation in biodiversity conservation to tackle the global nature crisis.

Invited speakers:

Register for this webinar for free here!

“Distribution Patterns and Habitat Preferences of Five Globally Threatened and Endemic Montane Orthoptera (Parnassiana and Oropodisma)”
by Apostolis Stefanidis, Konstantinos Kougioumoutzis, Konstantina Zografou, Georgios Fotiadis, Luc Willemse, Olga Tzortzakaki and Vassiliki Kati
Ecologies 2025, 6(1), 5; https://doi.org/10.3390/ecologies6010005

“Spatial Cumulative Assessment of Impact Risk-Implementing Ecosystem-Based Management for Enhanced Sustainability and Biodiversity in the Black Sea”
by Elena Bisinicu, Valeria Abaza, Laura Boicenco, Filimon Adrian, George-Emanuel Harcota, Oana Marin, Andra Oros, Elena Pantea, Alina Spinu, Florin Timofte et al.
Sustainability 2024, 16(11), 4449; https://doi.org/10.3390/su16114449

“Using Citizen Science to Document Biodiversity on a University Campus: A Year-Long Case Study”
by Peter M. Baker, Brendon Samuels and Timothy J. A. Hain
Conservation 2024, 4(3), 533-546; https://doi.org/10.3390/conservation4030032

“Illegal Activities for Survival: Understanding the Influence of Household Livelihood Security on Biodiversity Conservation in Tanzania”
by Gasto Jerome Lyakurwa, Edwin Sabuhoro and Mercy Chepkemoi Chepkwony
Conservation 2024, 4(3), 339-356; https://doi.org/10.3390/conservation4030022

“Algal Biodiversity of Nine Megaliths in South-East Bulgaria”
by Maya Stoyneva-Gärtner, Miroslav Androv, Blagoy Uzunov, Kristian Ivanov and Georg Gärtner
Life 2024, 14(8), 948; https://doi.org/10.3390/life14080948

“Shifts in Microbial Community Structure and Co-occurrence Network along a Wide Soil Salinity Gradient”
by Yan Li, Juan Wang, Eryang Li, Xiaodong Yang and Jianjun Yang
Microorganisms 2024, 12(7), 1268; https://doi.org/10.3390/microorganisms12071268

“Exploring mtDNA Databases to Evaluate the Population Structure and Genetic Diversity of Tursiops truncatus in the Atlantic Ocean: Implications for the Conservation of a Small, Offshore Populatio”
by Gasto Jerome Lyakurwa, Edwin Sabuhoro and Mercy Chepkemoi Chepkwony
Ecologies 2024, 5(2), 170-187; https://doi.org/10.3390/ecologies5020011

“Arbuscular Mycorrhizal Fungi and Rhizobium Improve Nutrient Uptake and Microbial Diversity Relative to Dryland Site-Specific Soil Conditions”
by Rosalie B. Calderon and Sadikshya R. Dangi
Microorganisms 2024, 12(4), 667; https://doi.org/10.3390/microorganisms12040667

“Diversity of Parasitoid Wasps and Comparison of Sampling Strategies in Rice Fields Using Metabarcoding”
by Liyang Wang, Hongxuan Wu, Wei He, Guihong Lai, Junxi Li, Siling Liu and Qiang Zhou
Insects 2024, 15(4), 228; https://doi.org/10.3390/insects15040228

“Weed Species’ Diversity and Composition as Shaped by the Interaction of Management, Site, and Soil Variables in Olive Groves of Southern Greece”
by Petros Vahamidis, Demosthenis Chachalis, Antigoni Akrivou, Evangelos Karanasios, Maria Ganopoulou, Apostolia Argiri, Athanasia Mandoulaki, Evangelos Hatzigiannakis, Georgios Arampatzis, Andreas Panagopoulos et al.
Agronomy 2024, 14(3), 640; https://doi.org/10.3390/agronomy14030640

“Opportunities for Biodiversity Conservation via Urban Ecosystem Regeneration”
by Gad Perry and Robert D. Cox
Diversity 2024, 16(3), 131; https://doi.org/10.3390/d16030131

“Global Subterranean Biodiversity: A Unique Pattern”
by Louis Deharveng, Anne Bedos, Tanja Pipan and David C. Culver
Diversity 2024, 16(3), 157; https://doi.org/10.3390/d16030157

“Odonata Assemblages in Urban Semi-Natural Wetlands”
by Marina Vilenica, Andreja Brigić, Ana Štih Koren, Toni Koren, Mirela Sertić Perić, Bruno Schmidt, Tomislava Bužan and Sanja Gottstein
Insects 2024, 15(3), 207; https://doi.org/10.3390/insects15030207

“The Influence of Sugar Beet Cultivation Technologies on the Intensity and Species Biodiversity of Weeds”
by Barbora Kotlánová, Pavel Hledík, Stanislav Hudec, Petra Martínez Barroso, Magdalena Daria Vaverková, Martin Jiroušek and Jan Winkler
Agronomy 2024, 14(2), 390; https://doi.org/10.3390/agronomy14020390

Name: Dr. Christina Emmanouil
Affiliation: School of Spatial Planning and Development, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Thessaloniki, Greece
Research interests: environmental management; ecotoxicology; risk assessment; waste management

The following is a short interview with Dr. Christina Emmanouil:

1. Could you briefly introduce yourself to our readers and tell us a little bit about your fields of interest?
I have a degree in life sciences from National University of Athens and post doc degrees from University of Birmingham in UK. I have worked as an ecotoxicology evaluator for the Greek Ministry of Agriculture and now I am a teaching personnel member at Aristotle University of Thessaloniki in Thessaloniki, Greece. I have also taught graduate and post-graduate levels in 4 additional Greek public universities. Nowadays I am mostly interested in how land-uses may pollute the environment and what we can do to mitigate this problem.

2. Which qualities do you think reviewers need? Do you have anything to say to other reviewers?
You need to be quick, thorough and effective. You need to be clear in your comments, if possible, quoting lines and pages. Vague recommendations are of no use; give suggestions to the writers. At the same time, reviewers should remember that they are neither parents, nor employers, nor lieutenants. The role is to help improve the manuscript, not to command the authors.

3. What motivated you to serve as a reviewer for Environments, and could you share your experience reviewing for the journal?
My professional trajectory has been somewhat non-linear, moving from a STEM background into the public policy sector, and currently into academia at the School of Spatial Planning and Development which belongs to Faculty of Engineering. This path has shaped my interest in multidisciplinary approaches to environmental challenges. For that reason, I was particularly motivated to contribute to Environments, a journal that exhibits an integrating, multidisciplinary aspect while maintaining a clear focus on environmental protection.

4. In your opinion, what are the key elements of a high-quality manuscript? What aspects do you pay the most attention to when reviewing?
Simplicity and parsimony are of outmost importance for me. A high-quality manuscript should communicate a clear and meaningful scientific contribution, supported by a sound and transparent methodology. In the introduction, the reader should be briefly informed of the environmental problem targeted, the aim of the research and its importance. Do not give any results in Methodology and do not present outcomes in Results that do not correspond to methods described. My advice is to be sincere with the study limitations, stick to facts, and do not chase an overwrought conclusion.

5. How has your reviewing experience influenced your own research or academic writing? Do you have any advice for early career researchers on how to write a strong manuscript and respond effectively to reviewers’ comments?
Reviewing has helped me improve my own writing style a lot; furthermore, I have encountered many interesting ideas that I could easily scale down for my students’ dissertations. Finally, several manuscripts have made me think: how can I incorporate the aspects I see in my line of work?
My honest advice is that you must approach your paper as if you are the most knowledgeable or at least one of the most knowledgeable people in the room while simultaneously presenting it in simple terms, almost like a layman’s report—your aim should be to inform, communicate and disseminate.

6. What role do you think reviewers play in the process of paper publication?
Reviewers should not serve as props to validate a superficially objective process. Their role is to engage critically with the manuscript, providing an independent and constructive evaluation of its scientific quality, methodological soundness, and relevance. They should delve into the manuscript, being honestly curious, identifying flaws and offering constructive feedback that can meaningfully improve the manuscript.

7. Please briefly describe your experience with our services and journals so far?
I have had a wonderful collaboration so far with Environments as well as other journals such as Sustainability, Toxics, Journal of Xenobiotics, Water, to name a few. Feedback was punctual, detailed, and informative. I also appreciate that on those occasions when you are tempted to delay, the journal provides a gentle but persistent reminder that the work should be done in a timely manner.

To better develop diverse research areas and attract more high-quality submissions, under the guidance of the Editor-in-Chief, Prof. Dr. Sergio Ulgiati, Environments (ISSN: 2076-3298) has established six new Sections.

These new Sections aim to better organize the broad field of environmental science, making it easier for authors to determine the most suitable fit for their work while allowing readers to more quickly find research that aligns with their interests. The following are the new Sections:

• “Environmental Monitoring and Management”;
• “Environmental Pollution, Toxicology and Restoration”;
• “Biodiversity, Ecological Understanding and Conservation”;
• “Environmental Economics, Energy Systems and Policymaking”;
• “Climate Change and Ecosystems”;
• “Society, Environment, Health”.

Special Issues and papers will be reorganized to align with the new Section structure.

Each Section centers on a set of clearly defined themes, with detailed Section information (including scope descriptions and welcomed topics) available on the journal’s website. We warmly invite researchers from around the world to submit high-quality original research or review articles to the most relevant Section, and we look forward to fostering interdisciplinary exchange and driving innovation in environmental science together.

We are currently recruiting Editorial Board Members (EBMs) and Guest Editors for these Sections. If you are an active researcher in this field and are passionate about publishing cutting-edge research, please contact us at environments@mdpi.com. Alternatively, you may wish to submit your work directly via the following link: https://www.mdpi.com/journal/environments.

For Section-specific details, please visit: https://www.mdpi.com/journal/environments/sections. 

Environments Editorial Office

We are pleased to announce that IOCE will return in 2027, following the success of the first edition in 2026. Organized by MDPI’s open access journal Environments (ISSN: 2076-3298; Impact Factor: 3.7), the 2nd International Online Conference on Environments (IOCE 2027) will be held online from 2 to 4 March 2027.

The first edition of IOCE attracted a huge amount of interest among the community, serving as an international forum dedicated to environmental understanding, managing, restoring, and policymaking.

IOCE 2027 aims to bring together researchers working across key areas of environmental science and sustainability, offering a platform to present and discuss advances related to urban systems, ecosystem dynamics, sustainable agriculture, resource recovery, mineral resource management, and environmentally responsible transport systems.

We welcome contributions that align with the following thematic areas:

S1. Urban systems vs rural and forest surroundings
S2. Marine and terrestrial ecosystems
S3. Agricultural systems
S4. Water scarcity and recovery
S5. This mine is mine
S6. Worldwide mobility

Important dates:

Deadline for abstract submission: 10 November 2026;
Notification of acceptance: 18 December 2026;
Registration deadline: 25 February 2027.

Guide for authors:

To submit your abstract, please click on the following link:
https://sciforum.net/user/submission/create/1842.

To register for the event, please click on the following link:
https://sciforum.net/event/IOCE2027?section=#registration.

For details regarding Abstract Submission, Poster and Slide Submission, and Publication Opportunities, you may refer to the “Instructions for Authors” section:  https://sciforum.net/event/IOCE2027?section=#instructions.

For any enquiries regarding the event, please contact ioce@mdpi.com.

We look forward to seeing you at the 2nd International Online Conference on Environments.

We are honored to announce that Prof. Dr. William Gerwick will serve as the Chair of the 2026 Tu Youyou Award Committee.

A world-renowned authority in marine natural products chemistry and pharmacology, Professor Gerwick is a Distinguished Professor at both the Scripps Institution of Oceanography and the Skaggs School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences at the University of California San Diego (UCSD). His pioneering work at the intersection of ocean sciences and drug discovery makes him a fitting leader for an award centered on transformative medicinal breakthroughs.

Under Professor Gerwick’s stewardship, the 2026 Tu Youyou Award Committee will focus on recognizing innovative and impactful research in natural products chemistry and medicinal chemistry, particularly work with the potential to drive meaningful advances in both scientific understanding and human health.

To provide further insight into his perspectives, we include below an interview with Professor Gerwick, in which he reflects on his scientific journey, his views on the field, and his vision for the Tu Youyou Award.

A Conversation with the Chair

1. Could you please introduce yourself and your research journey?

My research focuses on the natural products of marine algae and cyanobacteria, their application in medicine, their biosynthesis using genomic approaches, and innovative methods in the structure elucidation of natural products.

I received my BS degree from the University of California at Davis, my PhD from the University of California at San Diego, and conducted postdoctoral work at the University of Connecticut. After a couple of years in a junior faculty position at the Department of Chemistry at the University of Puerto Rico, I spent 21 years as Professor of Pharmacy at Oregon State University. In 2005, I returned to my PhD institution at the Scripps Institution of Oceanography and the Skaggs School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences at UC San Diego, where I am currently a Distinguished Professor of Oceanography and Pharmaceutical Sciences.

Throughout my career, I have been dedicated to advancing the field through both leadership and mentorship. I have served as president of the American Society of Pharmacognosy, chaired and co-chaired several major research conferences, and served as an associate editor for the Journal of Natural Products. I am a Fellow of the American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS) and of the American Society of Pharmacognosy. I have trained over 100 doctoral and postdoctoral students, and my research group has published nearly 500 papers and more than 25 patents on topics in the natural product sciences and medicinal chemistry.

2. What motivated you to accept the role of Chair of the 2026 Tu Youyou Award Committee?

Of course, I am a huge supporter of all awards that are given in recognition of excellent scientific research, and especially so in the natural products sciences and medicinal chemistry. However, this award is truly special in that it recognizes scientific excellence as well as impact, and is given in the name of an individual, Tu Youyou, who clearly had many challenges along the path to reach the pinnacle of her success. Not only was she the first Chinese person to win a Nobel prize in this area, but she was also the first Chinese woman to receive a Nobel prize, and this was achieved without graduate education in China or elsewhere. It’s a true testament to what can be achieved by hard work, determination, and vision. To read the history of her extraordinary approach to discovering novel antimalarial compounds from Traditional Chinese Medicine is truly inspirational. It is, therefore, the inspiration provided by the extraordinary life and career of Tu Youyou that motivated me to accept the Chair of the Award Committee for 2026.

3. How do you view the role of natural products chemistry and medicinal chemistry in today’s scientific landscape, and what major advances over the past decade have shaped this field?

A quite remarkable integration of fields is currently transforming natural products science and medicinal chemistry. In natural products, we are seeing integration of different omics methods, from metabolites to proteins to nucleic acids. Sophisticated biological and pharmacological approaches are driving the discovery of exquisitely potent and selective natural products. Advances are being made to integrate molecular-level recognition of natural products with chemical ecological studies, and sophisticated methods of structure determination using Artificial Intelligence or pioneering new tools such as microED are being applied with increasing frequency. High-level synthetic methodologies, such as protecting group-free synthetic routes, are enhancing medicinal chemistry, accelerating the identification of lead molecules with attractive pharmaceutical properties at an increasing pace.

4. How do you consider the balance between fundamental discovery (e.g., new molecules or mechanisms) and practical impact (e.g., therapeutic applications)?

Many individuals are excellent scientists and mentors, and have essential roles in developing our culture that values science and the scientific method. It should also be pointed out that not all scientific discoveries are going to have a broad societal impact, but they are nevertheless critical to the overall body and structure of science. But it is a truly remarkable individual who makes a key scientific discovery, recognizes its potential value to society in general, and then has the skills and determination to bring it forward as a useful product. That was the type of person the Tu Youyou is, and that is the type of person who is honored by the prize in her name.

5. What do you see as the key challenges or opportunities currently facing the field?

We are on the crux of an amazing revolution in many of the sciences, including natural products and medicinal chemistry; the purposeful application of Artificial Intelligence to solving many of the difficulties involved in the search for new pharmaceuticals from Nature. AI is transforming how we select organisms for study, what pharmaceutical targets to go after, rapidly resolving the chemical structures of new compounds, identifying efficient routes to their chemical synthesis, understanding their molecular mechanisms of action, and finally, designing their clinical application. The role of people in these pursuits is changing. Increasingly, the human role will be providing overall vision: what can we do? What should we do? And it is important to remember that AI is providing hypotheses, not truth. Scientists with expert domain knowledge will be critical for discerning the correctness of hypotheses put forth by AI. Altogether, advances in technology, expanding knowledge, and the appropriate use of AI methods are preparing society to be able to address emerging diseases, such as pandemics, as well as conditions that are not effectively treated by currently existing therapeutics.

6. How do you expect the Tu Youyou Award to contribute to the advancement of natural product chemistry, medicinal chemistry, and human health over the coming years?

The Tu Youyou Award is potentially transformative for the broad fields of natural products science and medicinal chemistry as it brings a significantly increased level of visibility to these topics and their contributions to human health. It will be crucial to have excellent communication to news agencies, social media and other communication outlets so that the general public is informed and educated on the high impact of these natural product/medicinal chemistry contributions. This will bring increased funding, attract promising students, and generally enrich the interface of these fields with the health sector.

7. What message would you like to convey to the research community and the public during this open nomination phase?

This prize gives broad societal visibility to the role that natural products have had in shaping a majority of our current medicines, as well as understanding the life forms with whom we share the planet. Further, it recognizes a woman scientist working under sub-optimal conditions who could persevere and make discoveries of global impact. The prize and what it represents, therefore, inspires current and future generations to engage in the study of Nature and its relationship to Human Health, to overcome adversity, and to aspire to making one’s life impactful.

About the Tu Youyou Award

Established in 2016, the Tu Youyou Award seeks to honor those who excel in the fields of natural products chemistry and medicinal chemistry. This award offers a total prize of CHF 100,000, which will be equally divided among the winners if there is more than one, with each recipient receiving an award medal and a certificate.

The 2026 Tu Youyou Award is open for nominations until 31 October 2026. We encourage all eligible candidates to participate in this prestigious recognition, as this award not only honors individual achievement but also encourages further scientific exchange, exploration and discovery in critical areas of medicine.

If you are interested in participating, please visit the Tu Youyou Award website for more information on the nomination requirements.

Conference: JpGU-AGU Joint Meeting 2026
Date: 24–29 May 2026
Location: Chiba, Japan

MDPI will participate as an exhibitor at the JpGU-AGU Joint Meeting 2026. We welcome researchers and professionals to visit our booth and engage with our team.

The 2026 Annual Meeting of the Japan Geoscience Union (JpGU) will be held as a joint meeting with the American Geophysical Union (AGU) for six days from 24 to 29 May 2026, in Makuhari, Chiba City. This conference brings together researchers, engineers, educators, science communicators, and students from all fields of Earth and planetary sciences and related disciplines worldwide, together with interested public members. It serves as a forum for sharing research findings from fundamental Earth and planetary science studies to research addressing global environmental issues and the relationship between human society and Earth and planetary sciences and for fostering dialogue toward multidisciplinary collaboration.

The following open access journals will be represented at the conference:

• Earth;
• Quaternary;
• Minerals;
• IJGI;
• Climate;
• Mining;
• Geotechnics;
• Geomatics;
• Land;
• Environments;
• Geographies;
• Remote Sensing;
• Geosciences;
• Fossil Studies.

If you are planning to attend the above event, please feel free to start a conversation with us. Our delegates look forward to meeting you in person and answering any questions that you may have. For more information, please visit https://www.jpgu.org/meeting_e2026/.

Each year on 22 April, International Mother Earth Day brings together researchers, environmental leaders, and advocates from around the world to raise awareness and inspire action to protect our planet. In 2026, the theme “Our Power, Our Planet” highlights the urgent need for collective action and civic engagement to influence environmental policy, accelerate climate action, and drive meaningful change at both local and global levels.

MDPI supports this global observance by showcasing research that advances environmental science, sustainability, and Earth system studies. Through its journals, MDPI provides platforms for researchers and professionals to share scientific knowledge, foster collaboration, and promote innovations that contribute to a more sustainable and resilient future.

Invited Speakers:

Feel free to register for this webinar here.

“Global Carbon Sequestration and the Roles of Tropical Forests and Crops: Prospects for Using Innovative Carbon Trading Approaches to Address the Climate Emergency”
by Denis J. Murphy and Shana Yong
Earth 2026, 7(1), 22; https://doi.org/10.3390/earth7010022

“Intensification of SUHI During Extreme Heat Events: An Eight-Year Summer Analysis for Lecce (2018–2025)”
by Antonio Esposito, Riccardo Buccolieri, Jose Luis Santiago and Gianluca Pappaccogli
Climate 2026, 14(1), 2; https://doi.org/10.3390/cli14010002

“The Application of Earth Observation Data to Desert Locust Risk Management: A Literature Review”
by Gachie Eliud Baraka, Guido D’Urso and Oscar Rosario Belfiore
Geomatics 2025, 5(1), 14; https://doi.org/10.3390/geomatics5010014

“Energy Efficiency Analysis of Water Treatment Plants: Current Status and Future Trends”
by Iwona Skoczko
Energies 2025, 18(5), 1086; https://doi.org/10.3390/en18051086

“Tracking Particulate Matter Accumulation on Green Roofs: A Study at Warsaw University Library”
by Katarzyna Gładysz, Mariola Wrochna and Robert Popek
Air 2025, 3(1), 4; https://doi.org/10.3390/air3010004

“A Multi-Scale Analysis of the Extreme Precipitation in Southern Brazil in April/May 2024”
by Michelle Simões Reboita, Enrique Vieira Mattos, Bruno César Capucin, Diego Oliveira de Souza and Glauber Willian de Souza Ferreira
Atmosphere 2024, 15(9), 1123; https://doi.org/10.3390/atmos15091123

“Status of Concentrated Solar Power Plants Installed Worldwide: Past and Present Data”
by Sylvain Rodat and Richard Thonig
Clean Technol. 2024, 6(1), 365-378; https://doi.org/10.3390/cleantechnol6010018

“Impacts of Climate Change and Agricultural Practices on Nitrogen Processes, Genes, and Soil Nitrous Oxide Emissions: A Quantitative Review of Meta-Analyses”
by Dafeng Hui, Avedananda Ray, Lovish Kasrija and Jaekedah Christian
Agriculture 2024, 14(2), 240; https://doi.org/10.3390/agriculture14020240

Our portfolio of journals available for publishing up-to-date research in immediate open access format has been further expanded. In the first quarter of 2026, nine new journals released their inaugural issues and three transferred journals released their first issue as part of MDPI, covering the subjects of clinical medicine, chemistry, computer science & mathematics, engineering, environment & ecology, and social sciences & psychology.

We extend our gratitude to the Editors-in-Chief, Associate Editors, and Editorial Board Members who will shape the future course of these brand-new journals. Each journal is dedicated to upholding strong editorial standards through a thorough peer review process, ensuring impactful open access scholarship.

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

We would like to thank everyone who has supported the development of open access publishing. If you would like to create a new journal, you are welcome to send an application here or contact the New Journal Committee (newjournal-committee@mdpi.com).

Welcome to the MDPI International Mother Earth Day Webinar 2026!

Each year, International Mother Earth Day brings together researchers, environmental leaders, and advocates from around the world to raise awareness and inspire action to protect our planet. In 2026, the theme “Our Power, Our Planet” highlights the urgent need for collective action and civic engagement to influence environmental policy, accelerate climate action, and drive meaningful change at both local and global levels.

In this webinar, leading experts will share insights from their research on key environmental challenges and sustainable solutions. The session will foster interdisciplinary dialogue, promote collaboration, and highlight how scientific research can contribute to a more sustainable and resilient future.

Date: 22 April 2026 at 12:00 p.m. CEST | 6:00 p.m. CST Asia
Webinar ID: 834 0870 6694
Website: https://sciforum.net/event/IMED2026

After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information on how to join the webinar. Registrations made 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 online.

Register now for free!

Program:

 Webinar Chair and Speakers:

• Dr. Luxon Nhamo, Water Research Commission of South Africa, South Africa;
• Dr. Sylvia Vetter, University of Aberdeen, UK;
• Dr. Gianpaolo Tomaselli, University of Malta, Malta.