Announcements

This Academic Publishing Workshop will be led by MDPI Regional Journal Relations Specialist, Dr. Sally Wu, on “Author Training”. Participants will receive practical advice on essential aspects of writing academic articles. Participants will leave with a clearer understanding of the academic publishing landscape and how to successfully contribute to it.

Date: 25 February 2026
Time: 11:30 a.m.–1:30 p.m. EST

Schedule:

Speakers:

MDPI has surpassed the milestone of 1,000 partners within the Institutional Open Access Program (IOAP). The agreements span 59 countries, covering North and South America, Europe, Asia, Africa, and Oceania.

Last year alone, more than 150 new libraries and academic institutions joined MDPI’s IOAP. With the expansion of an existing consortium deal in Sweden we welcomed a further 75 partners to the program in January 2026, enabling us to surpass the 1,000-partners milestone.

The IOAP supports affiliated researchers by streamlining submission processes, reducing administrative burdens, and offering discounted Article Processing Charges (APCs). Through IOAP membership, more than 61,300 research articles received APC discounts in 2025, driving greater visibility and accessibility for partner institutions and global research communities alike.

"This milestone marks a significant step towards expanding MDPI’s global impact," said Stefan Tochev, MDPI's CEO. "Reaching 1,000 IOAP partnerships is a true testament to the growing trust and collaboration we’ve built with universities, libraries, and research organizations worldwide. We are proud to lead the way in Open Access publishing, ensuring researchers have the support they need to reach global audiences." "The success of our program is reflected in the growing global demand for Open Science and quality publishing services," said Becky Castellon, MDPI institutional partnerships manager. "Equally, institutions are increasingly seeking Open Access publishing options that support funder and national mandates. Joining the IOAP makes compliance simple."

The editorial office of Environments would like to extend its sincere gratitude to all reviewers who contributed to the improvement of the journal quality by providing their expert opinion and evaluation of the submitted research.

We appreciate that thorough peer review demands considerable time and intellectual investment from our reviewers. In 2025, Environments received 2971 review reports from contributors across 66 countries and territories, demonstrating the breadth of international expertise and scholarly engagement that has strengthened our publication standards.

The reviewers who agreed to have their names published this year are listed below in alphabetical order by first name. The editorial team acknowledges with gratitude all reviewers, named and anonymous alike, for their vital role in maintaining the scholarly standards of Environments.

World Wetlands Day, observed annually on 2 February, highlights the vital role wetlands play in supporting biodiversity, regulating water systems, and sustaining human well-being. As some of the world’s most productive ecosystems, wetlands provide essential services such as flood control, water purification, carbon storage, and habitat for diverse species, yet they remain under increasing threat.

The 2026 theme, “Wetlands and Traditional Knowledge: Celebrating Cultural Heritage,” spotlights the deep-rooted connections between wetland ecosystems and the cultural practices, wisdom, and stewardship of communities around the world. By drawing on traditional knowledge alongside scientific insight, this theme emphasizes how cultural heritage contributes to sustaining and restoring these dynamic landscapes.

MDPI supports this global observance by showcasing research that advances wetland science, conservation, and sustainable management, helping to safeguard these critical ecosystems for future generations.

“Effects of Pollutants in Urban Wastewater on Rhizoplane Microbial Communities in Constructed Wetlands: Resistance and Resilience of Macrophyte-Associated Microbiomes”
by Paolo Piccolo, Annamaria Gentile, Angela Cicatelli, Francesco Guarino and Stefano Castiglione
Environments 2025, 12(11), 414; https://doi.org/10.3390/environments12110414

“Generation of Nitrous Oxide by Aerobic Denitrifiers Isolated from an Urban Wetland in Bogotá, Colombia”
by Maribeb Castro-González and Verónica Molina
Limnol. Rev. 2025, 25(3), 32; https://doi.org/10.3390/limnolrev25030032

“Stable Water Isotopes Across Marsh, River, and Lake Environments in the Zoige Alpine Wetland on the Tibetan Plateau”
by Yangying Zhan, Chunyi Li, Yu Ning, Guichun Rong, You Zhou, Kexin Liu, Junxuan Li and Haoyang Wang
Water 2025, 17(6), 820; https://doi.org/10.3390/w17060820

“Removal of Heavy Metals and Bulk Organics towards Application in Modified Constructed Wetlands Using Activated Carbon and Zeolites”
by Luca M. Ofiera, Purnendu Bose and Christian Kazner
Water 2024, 16(3), 511; https://doi.org/10.3390/w16030511

“Advancing Knowledge of Wetland Vegetation for Plant Diversity Conservation: The Case of Small Lakes, Ponds, and Pools in Maremma (Southern Tuscany, Central Italy)”
by Lorenzo Lastrucci, Federico Selvi, Enrico Bajona, Andrea Sforzi, Eugenia Siccardi and Daniele Viciani
Land 2025, 14(2), 218; https://doi.org/10.3390/land14020218

“Assessing Climate Change Impacts on Streamflow and Baseflow in the Karnali River Basin, Nepal: A CMIP6 Multi-Model Ensemble Approach Using SWAT and Web-Based Hydrograph Analysis Tool”
by Manoj Lamichhane, Sajal Phuyal, Rajnish Mahato, Anuska Shrestha, Usam Pudasaini, Sudeshma Dikshen Lama, Abin Raj Chapagain, Sushant Mehan and Dhurba Neupane
Sustainability 2024, 16(8), 3262; https://doi.org/10.3390/su16083262

“Microplastics Pollution in Aquatic Ecosystems: Challenges and Perspectives, 2nd Edition” Guest Editors: Dr. Charles Rolsky, Dr. Darhan R. Khan, Dr. Ana I. Catarino and Dr. Varun Kelkar Deadline for submissions: 15 March 2026	“Sustainable Water and Nutrients Resources Management: Natural and Constructed Wetlands” Guest Editors: Dr. José Luis Marín-Muñiz and Dr. Irma Zitácuaro Contreras Deadline for submissions: 31 December 2026

As an Editorial Board Member, you would have the following responsibilities:

• Promoting Environments (ISSN: 2076-3298) on your social media or among your acquaintances;
• Supervising the quality of papers in Environments (when we have new submissions that fit well within your expertise);
• Acting as/recommending a Guest Editor for a Special Issue on a topic related to your research interests;
• Providing conference/society collaboration recommendations;
• Providing suggestions or comments on journal development.

As an Editorial Board Member, you would have the following benefits:

• Publishing one paper free of charge in Environments per year, as well as extra papers with special discounts;
• Publishing one paper free of charge in your own Special Issue per year;
• Organizing or promoting your own conferences using our platform SciForum;
• A travel grant offered to Editorial Board Members who make significant contributions to the journal;
• Recommending/inviting your colleagues to submit full research articles or review papers with special discounts.

Environments is an international, cross-disciplinary, open access journal focusing on advances, issues, and challenges related to environmental systems. Established in 2014, it is indexed in prominent databases, including Scopus, ESCI (Web of Science), PubAg, AGRIS, GeoRef, and other databases.

If you are interested in joining the Editorial Board of Environments, please send your full academic CV and a short cover letter that details your interest and enthusiasm for the position to environments@mdpi.com.

From 15 to 19 December 2025, MDPI participated in the American Geophysical Union (AGU) Fall Meeting 2025 held in New Orleans, Louisiana, USA at booth #922  in the Entrance Hall. The conference attracted over 25,000 attendees from more than 100 countries, with academic participants from universities accounting for 70.5% of the total.

Academic Engagement: Dialogue and Collaboration

Meet the Editors
We hosted several insightful sessions with editorial leaders from top journals:

• Prof. Dr. Magaly Koch (Section Editor-in-Chief of Remote Sensing);
• Prof. Dr. Xi Chen (Editorial Board Member of Water);
• Dr. Elizabeth Silber (Guest Editor of Atmosphere);
• Dr. Andrea Zerboni (Guest Editor of Water).

These discussions fostered meaningful connections between attendees and editors, strengthening our commitment to supporting scholarly exchange.

Environmental and Earth Sciences Journal Editorial Board Meeting

Leaders from MDPI’s environmental and earth sciences journals and editorial board members gathered for an in-person Editorial Board Meeting held on 16 December at the Hilton Riverside Hotel in New Orleans during the conference to exchange updates and discuss editorial practices, peer review developments, and key challenges in the field. The discussion highlighted the importance of collaboration and shared efforts to maintain high scientific and publishing standards. The meeting was attended by Dr. David L. Feldman, Prof. Dr. Zong-Liang Yang, Dr. Paul Kucera, Dr. Pavel Grosiman, Prof. Dr. Carlo De Michele, Prof. Dr. Xi Chen, Dr. May Wu, Prof. Sayed M. Bateni, Prof. Dr. Assefa M. Melesse, Prof. Pietro Milillo, Prof. Peng Fu, Dr. Dongdong Wang, Prof. Dr. Hatim Sharif, Prof. Dr. Jie Shan, Prof. Dr. Soe Win Myint, and Prof. Dr. Brian Horton.

Looking Ahead: Advancing Open Science

Participating in the AGU Annual Meeting was a profoundly enriching experience. We engaged in profound dialogue not only with authors, reviewers, and members of the Editorial Boards associated with MDPI, but also had the invaluable opportunity to disseminate our institutional mission to emerging scholars.

As an entity steadfastly committed to fostering open scientific exchange across all academic disciplines, MDPI reaffirms its unwavering dedication to advancing global scholarship. We earnestly look forward to connecting with researchers from around the world, collaborating in unison to expand the frontiers of knowledge and advocate for open science.

Conference: Ocean Sciences Meeting 2026
Date: 22–27 Febuary 2026
Location: Glasgow, UK 

MDPI will attend the Ocean Sciences Meeting 2026 as an exhibitor. This meeting will be held in Glasgow, UK, from 22 to 27 Febuary 2026. 

The Ocean Sciences Meeting (OSM) is a unique gathering, designed to foster connection and collaboration among researchers and solution scientists in the greater ocean-connected community. Every two years, scientists from across the globe gather to share the latest research findings, collaborate on solutions, and establish lasting partnerships, with the goal of advancing scientific knowledge and impacts. 

The Ocean Sciences Meeting is an Endorsed Decade Action program with the United Nations Decade of Ocean Science for Sustainable Development. Co-sponsored by the American Geophysical Union (AGU), the Association for the Sciences of Limnology and Oceanography (ASLO), and The Oceanography Society (TOS), we welcome a diverse community of scientists, students, journalists, policymakers, educators, and organizations who are working toward a world where scientific discovery leads to scientific solutions, and where our global collaborations and partnerships can carry us into a sustainable future. 

The following open access journals will be represented:

• JMSE;
• Climate;
• Oceans;
• Conservation;
• Ecologies;
• Fishes;
• Hydrobiology;
• Phycology;
• Coasts;
• Environments;
• Geographies;
• Geosciences;
• Remote Sensing;
• Hydrology;
• Marine Drugs. 

If you are attending this conference, please feel free to start an online conversation with us. Our delegates look forward to meeting you in person at booth #71 and answering any questions that you may have. For more information about the conference, please visit the following website: https://www.agu.org/ocean-sciences-meeting.

We have expanded our open access portfolio with eight new journals publishing their inaugural issues in December 2025, as well as three journal transfers. These additions span physical sciences, social sciences, arts and humanities, environmental and Earth sciences, medicine and pharmacology, and public health and healthcare. We extend our sincere thanks to the Editors-in-Chief, Associate Editors, and Editorial Board Members who are shaping these journals’ direction. All journals uphold 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 more new journals, you are welcome to send an application here, or contact the New Journal Committee (newjournal-committee@mdpi.com).

Name: Prof. Dr. Walter Alberto Pengue
Affiliations: ¹ Department of Ecological Economics and Agroecology, National University of General Sarmiento, Los Polvorines, Argentina;
² Faculty of Architecture, Design and Urbanism of Buenos Aires University, Buenos Aires, Argentina

I am an agricultural engineer, with a specialization in plant genetic improvement (plant breeding) from the University of Buenos Aires, with a master’s degree in environmental and territorial policies, and doctorate in agroecology, sociology and sustainable rural development. I have carried out postdoctoral stays at the Universities of Tromso (Norway) and at the University of Canterbury (New Zealand). Full Professor of Ecological Economics and Agroecology at the National University General Sarmiento (UNGS) and Director of the Landscape and Environmental Ecology Group (GEPAMA) at the University of Buenos Aires (FADU UBA), Argentina.

During the last three decades, I founded the Argentine and Uruguayan Society for Ecological Economics (ASAUEE) and was a member of the world board of the ISEE (International Society for Ecological Economics). I was one of the founders of SOCLA, the Latin American Scientific Society for Agroecology, for which currently chairs the Ethics Committee. More than 30 years of experience in researching the environmental and socio-economic impacts of industrial agriculture, transgenic agriculture and the food system at national, regional and global levels and their relationship with the use of natural resources (soil, water, genetic resources). International expert, reviewer, lead author and coordinator of the Intergovernmental Platform on Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services IPBES (since 2019) and the United Nations Environmental Resource Panel (2007 to 2015). I was lead author of IPCC Round 6 (2019/2022) and currently Coordinating Leading author in the IPBES NEXUS project (2021 to 2025), which conducts thematic analyses of the interrelationship between food systems, biodiversity, health, water and climate change. I am a member of the CLACSO network for agroecology in the Andes and political agroecology and member of the Argentine Academy of Environmental Sciences and of several scientific advisory committees on sustainable development, environment, agriculture and food in Argentina. I am a visiting professor at universities in Latin America, Europe, Asia, Africa and Oceania, and a member of the group of Fundamental Environmental thinkers of ECLAC, United Nations.

All my documents, papers, research papers and conferences you can download directly and free from my ResearchGate page. Practically all the papers are related to my main issues of research working: ecological economics, food systems, ecoagrifood systems, agroecology, political ecology and natural resources.

The issue of open access to scientific publications is essential. It contributes directly to a true democracy of scientific knowledge. It is a powerful pillar in the genuine pursuit of the common good in human society. However, I find that—due to its publication costs—it remains an obstacle to achieving an adequate balance of participation for researchers in the Global South. I understand that there is already an effort underway to find support or grants for these researchers. However, these should be increased to facilitate access for a greater number of researchers from the Global South. Furthermore, the process should be streamlined from the outset, clearly indicating this possibility for these researchers. And these initiatives should be promoted among scientific societies in the Global South, with an additional effort to disseminate this information to them.

The journal is an open-access publication that addresses relevant topics related to the environment, ecology, environmental science and technology, and offers compelling interdisciplinary approaches to these subjects. Its open and global perspective provides a platform for researchers from both the developed and developing worlds to explore topics of interest, without bias or prejudice toward research areas focused on the developed world. This opens up exciting new avenues for scientists to look beyond their own knowledge and regional boundaries.

The strong support of the editorial team, the extensive reviewer base, and the constant monitoring and support of the journal ensure the smooth operation of the publication, guaranteeing remarkably efficient review, editing, and publication times. Furthermore, when compared to other publications, MDPI's Environments presents a very promising path to gaining new publication opportunities.

The environmental issue of the future is environmental and social complexity. It is no longer possible to address the very serious environmental and climate problems in isolation. This requires a comprehensive approach. Added to this is the intense tension surrounding how humanity uses its natural resources—both renewable and non-renewable—as well as how it utilizes the ecosystem services that nature provides.

It is essential to analyze these processes in relation to human demands, pressures, and needs, where it is relevant to incorporate, in every sense, the role that economics and sociology play and have in dialogue with ecology and all the other life sciences. Humanity is pushing against planetary boundaries and how to utilize them. Added to this are other complexities such as the role of climate change and global environmental change on civilizational development. Also, the role that new environmental technologies and AI may have in achieving, or not achieving, greater planetary stability. For this reason, ongoing dialogue with other actors—outside the academic system—is crucial. This is true even for researchers working in laboratories or with basic science, since their results can impact the community in various ways. Dialogue with members of local communities and indigenous peoples also helps to understand contexts and processes that have been built up over centuries. And it can potentially improve not only our science and technology, but also the wisdom to better understand how to use them in different contexts, regions, countries, and social structures.

Environmental issues involve analyzing the connections inherent in complexity. Some new approaches, for example, for food systems, which is my area of ​​focus, involve analyzing not only interactions one at a time, but the multiple connections between water, land, genetic resources, environmental health, other species, and people. And all of this within a new global context such as climate change. What some have termed the Nexus Approach.

It's simple. In all cases involving environmental issues, it's equally, if not more, relevant to understand the context alongside the key aspects of the environmental issue at hand, which will almost certainly be related to a specific resource and its interactions. Added to this is a new dynamic to explore: the issue of pollution, and again, not only its impacts but also the underlying causes that have led us to this particular problem. Regarding environmental impacts, it's crucial to promote studies that analyze trends, as well as possible alternative scenarios for achieving ecosystemic sustainability rather than purely economic or financial sustainability. Again, the Nexus perspective can be very helpful in this regard.

The conference is positive in many ways. First, there's the issue of travel, accommodation, and associated costs, and consequently, the reduction in resource consumption. Furthermore, technology becomes a tremendous facilitator of interaction among researchers from different parts of the world, all connected through the Environments platform. On another note, the efficient system for organizing, managing, and reviewing submitted abstracts provides authors, reviewers, and editors with a highly efficient and useful workflow. And clearly, given the mechanics and implementation of the E-conference, I believe it can serve as an interesting example and model for other similar events to follow in building collective learning, which greatly benefits the academic community.

In these times, different approaches and perspectives are emerging regarding the economy, production, and their relationship with natural resources and society. This has led to diverse approaches to the intersection of economics, society, and nature.

Various disciplines, related in some ways, have grown in recent decades to analyze these issues, each with its own approach. Thus, emerged in the 1980s and 1990s the approaches of ecological economics—for me, the most complete and comprehensive in addressing environmental and social complexity—and environmental economics—more focused on pricing both exchanges and impacts, incorporating only those externalities that can be economically valued. More recently, bioeconomy has emerged, focusing on the issues of interest in the discussions between biotechnology and production, as well as the utilization of emerging biodiversity, as is the case in megadiverse countries like Brazil, Ecuador, the Congo, and several others. The perspective of the Circular Economy has also arrived, contributing to the analysis of cycles—for example, life cycles, LCAs—to understand what we call material metabolism, that is, how materials, products, and waste enter and leave a system.

In this section of the Conference, we have received and reviewed papers that fall within one or more of the subdisciplines we are addressing, covering topics such as the roles of biodiversity and production, materials recycling, appropriate new technologies, and the role of innovative methodologies in integrating analyses. This makes it attractive both for training and for the exchange of new ideas and concepts. We will also be joined by world-renowned experts in ecological economics, environmental economics, and bioeconomy, who will undoubtedly enrich the discussion and help foster new debates and interactions among researchers. The opportunity to participate in an E-conference of this caliber, free of charge for participants, is an added value that we must emphasize.