Announcements

Desertification and drought continue to threaten ecosystems, food systems, and livelihoods around the world. As climate pressures rise, the need to protect and restore our land becomes increasingly urgent. The 2025 theme, “Restore Land, Unlock Opportunities”, shines a light on the vast potential that lies in healthy, resilient landscapes—from boosting food security to driving economic growth and environmental sustainability.

World Day to Combat Desertification and Drought calls on all of us—researchers, policymakers, and communities—to work together toward land restoration and drought resilience. Scientific research plays a critical role in shaping real-world solutions and inspiring action where it is needed most.

To support this global effort, MDPI is proud to feature selected articles from Atmosphere, Biology, Climate, Conservation, Ecologies, Environments, Hydrology, Land and Sustainability. These contributions explore key issues around land degradation, water scarcity, and climate change, helping to unlock the knowledge and innovation needed for a more sustainable future.

“Response Characteristics of Biological Soil Crusts Under Different Afforestation Measures in Alpine Sandy Land”
by Shaobu Du, Huichun Xie, Gaosen Zhang, Feng Qiao, Guigong Geng and Chongyi E
Biology 2025, 14(5), 532; https://doi.org/10.3390/biology14050532

“Does Participatory Forest Management Reduce Deforestation and Enhance Forest Cover? A Comparative Study of Selected Forest Sites in Adaba-Dodola, Ethiopia”
by Lemma Tiki, Jumanne M. Abdallah, Kristina Marquardt and Motuma Tolera
Ecologies 2024, 5(4), 647-663; https://doi.org/10.3390/ecologies5040038

“Estimating Non-Stationary Extreme-Value Probability Distribution Shifts and Their Parameters Under Climate Change Using L-Moments and L-Moment Ratio Diagrams: A Case Study of Hydrologic Drought in the Goat River Near Creston, British Columbia”
by Isaac Dekker, Kristian L. Dubrawski, Pearce Jones and Ryan MacDonald
Hydrology 2024, 11(9), 154; https://doi.org/10.3390/hydrology11090154

“Drought Dynamics and Drought Hazard Assessment in Southwest Bulgaria”
by Nina Nikolova, Kalina Radeva, Leonid Todorov and Simeon Matev
Atmosphere 2024, 15(8), 888; https://doi.org/10.3390/atmos15080888

“Analysis of Precipitation and Drought in the Main Southeastern Iberian River Headwaters (1952–2021)”
by María José Estrela, David Corell, Juan Javier Miró and Raquel Niclós
Atmosphere 2024, 15(2), 166; https://doi.org/10.3390/atmos15020166

“Ecovoltaics: Maintaining Native Plants and Wash Connectivity inside a Mojave Desert Solar Facility Leads to Favorable Growing Conditions”
by Tamara Wynne-Sison, Dale A. Devitt and Stanley D. Smith
Land 2023, 12(10), 1950; https://doi.org/10.3390/land12101950

“Assessment of Precipitation and Hydrological Droughts in South America through Statistically Downscaled CMIP6 Projections”
by Glauber Willian de Souza Ferreira, Michelle Simões Reboita, João Gabriel Martins Ribeiro and Christie André de Souza
Climate 2023, 11(8), 166; https://doi.org/10.3390/cli11080166

“Standardized Description of Degraded Land Reclamation Actions and Mapping of Actors’ Roles: A Key Step for Action in Combatting Desertification (Niger)”
by Abou-Soufianou Sadda, Maud Loireau, Nouhou Salifou Jangorzo, Hassane Bil-Assanou Issoufou and Jean-Luc Chotte
Land 2023, 12(5), 1064; https://doi.org/10.3390/land12051064

“CiXTH29 and CiLEA4 Role in Water Stress Tolerance in Cichorium intybus Varieties”
by Monica De Caroli, Patrizia Rampino, Lorenzo M. Curci, Gabriele Pecatelli, Sara Carrozzo and Gabriella Piro
Biology 2023, 12(3), 444; https://doi.org/10.3390/biology12030444

“Heatwave Variability and Structure in South Africa during Summer Drought”
by Innocent L. Mbokodo, Mary-Jane M. Bopape, Thando Ndarana, Sifiso M. S. Mbatha, Tshimbiluni P. Muofhe, Mukovhe V. Singo, Nkosinathi G. Xulu, Tumelo Mohomi, Kingsley K. Ayisi and Hector Chikoore
Climate 2023, 11(2), 38; https://doi.org/10.3390/cli11020038

“Global Warming and Extreme Drought” Guest Editors: Prof. Dr. Michelle Simões Reboita, Prof. Dr. Rosmeri Porfírio da Rocha and Dr. Shaukat Ali Submission deadline: 31 July 2025	“Land and Drought: An Environmcental Assessment Through Remote Sensing” Guest Editors: Dr. Keyvan Soltani, Prof. Dr. Silvio José Gumiere and Dr. Isa Ebtehaj Submission deadline: 31 July 2025
“Recent Progress in Land Degradation Processes, Control and Restoration” Guest Editors:  Dr. Jianye Li, Dr. Weida Gao, Dr. Wei Hu, Dr. Qiang Chen and Prof. Dr. Xingyi Zhang Submission deadline:  25 September 2025	“Innovative Strategies for Enhancing Plant Tolerance to Abiotic and Biotic Stresses and Ensuring Food Safety in Changing Climates” Topic Editors:  Dr. José Ramón Acosta-Motos, Dr. Sara Álvarez, Dr. María del Rosario Álvarez Morales, Dr. María José Clemente-Moreno, Dr. María del Rosario Conesa-Saura, Dr. Juan de Dios Franco-Navarro, Dr. María José Gómez-Bellot, Dr. Isabel M. Martínez Alcalá and Dr. Víctor Meseguer Sánchez

We are pleased to share that Hydrology (ISSN: 2306-5338) has received an increased CiteScore of 5.9 in June 2025. The CiteScore ranks the journal 22 out of 150 titles (Q1) in the “Oceanography” category, 29 out of 183 titles (Q1) in the “Earth-Surface Processes” category, and 62 out of 279 titles (Q1) in the “Water Science and Technology” category, an impressive achievement for a journal running in Volume 12.

You can find more statistics on our website.

The current CiteScores measure the average number of citations within a journal over a four-year window (2021–2024). The Scopus database provides a comprehensive suite of metrics that support informed publishing strategies, research evaluation and enable benchmarking of journal performance.

This achievement reflects the collective efforts of our authors, reviewers, and editors. Together we will continue to track the progress of Hydrology and its growing impact in hydrological sciences.

MDPI will be attending the Goldschmidt2025 Conference in Prague, Czech Republic, which will take place from 6 to 11 July 2025. The conference will focus on geochemistry and related subjects. The annual meeting is held by the European Association of Geochemistry and the Geochemical Society. The meeting will bring together more than 3,500 researchers to discuss groundbreaking science. Goldschmidt2025 will provide a fantastic networking opportunity for sponsors and exhibitors, with access to leading geochemists, key academic purchasers, and graduate students in both a professional and vibrant social setting. If you are attending the conference, please visit booth #42; our delegates look forward to meeting you in person and answering any questions you may have.

The following MDPI journals will be represented at the conference:

• Geosciences (leading);
• Minerals (leading);
• Geographies;
• Energies;
• Hydrology;
• Earth;
• Atmosphere;
• Quaternary;
• Nitrogen.

The ocean covers over 70% of the planet and is our life source, providing sustenance to humanity and every other organism on Earth. With 90% of large fish populations depleted and 50% of coral reefs destroyed, we are taking more from the ocean than can be replenished. There is an urgent need for us to work together to create a new balance with the ocean—one that no longer depletes its bounty but instead restores its vibrancy and brings it new life.

“Wonder: Sustaining what sustains us” is the theme for World Oceans Day 2025. We hope that established MDPI journals in the field of Environmental & Earth Sciences, including Atmosphere, Biology, Climate, Coasts, Conservation, Environments, Fishes, Geosciences, Genes, Hydrology, Journal of Marine Science and Engineering, Meteorology, Oceans, Remote Sensing, Sustainability, Taxonomy and Water, will provide a valuable platform for the exchange of innovative ideas regarding ocean protection.

“Sea Surface Temperature and Marine Heat Wave Predictions in the South China Sea: A 3D U-Net Deep Learning Model Integrating Multi-Source Data”
by Bowen Xie, Jifeng Qi, Shuguo Yang, Guimin Sun, Zhongkun Feng, Baoshu Yin and Wenwu Wang
Atmosphere 2024, 15(1), 86; https://doi.org/10.3390/atmos15010086

Special Issues: 

“The Occurrence and Distribution of Persistent and Emerging Organic Contaminants in the Coast” Guest Editors: Prof. Dr. Emmanuel Sinagra and Dr. Anna Białk-Bielińska Submission deadline: 20 September 2025	“Long-Term Signature of Carbon Cycle in Marine Systems: Evidence from Geochemistry” Guest Editors: Prof. Dr. Simon C. George, Dr. Qiannan Xu, Dr. Lian Jiang and Dr. Xiaoqi Wang Submission deadline: 31 October 2025

“Simulation of Seawater Intrusion and Upconing Processes in Mediterranean Aquifer in Response to Climate Change (Plana de Castellón, Spain)”
by Barbara del R. Almazan-Benitéz, Maria V. Esteller-Alberich, Arianna Renau-Pruñonosa and José L. Expósito-Castillo
Hydrology 2024, 11(12), 205; https://doi.org/10.3390/hydrology11120205

“Estimating the Temporal Impacts of Nearshore Fisheries on Coastal Ocean-Sourced Waste Accumulation in South Korea Using Stepwise Regression”
by Seung-Hyun Lee, Seung-Kweon Hong, Jongsung Lee, Ji-Won Yu, Hong-Tae Kim and Tae-Hwan Joung
Sustainability 2024, 16(13), 5663; https://doi.org/10.3390/su16135663

“Mercury Biogeochemistry and Biomagnification in the Mediterranean Sea: Current Knowledge and Future Prospects in the Context of Climate Change”
by Roberto Bargagli and Emilia Rota
Coasts 2024, 4(1), 89-107; https://doi.org/10.3390/coasts4010006

Special Issues:

“Physical Interactions Between Ocean-Atmosphere Boundary Layers from Turbulent to Climate Scales” Guest Editor: Dr. Ronald B. Souza Submission deadline: 31 October 2025	“Air-Sea Interactions: Recent Trends, Current Progress and Future Directions” Guest Editor: Prof. Dr. Flávio Justino Submission deadline: 31 October 2025
“The Dynamics and Impacts of Ocean-Atmosphere Coupling on Regional and Global Climate” Guest Editors: Dr. Aixue Hu and Dr. Mengrong Ding Submission deadline: 31 January 2026

“The Impact of Marine Heatwaves on Isotherm Displacement and Tuna Distribution in Vanuatu”
by Hannah Weinberg, Jessica Bhardwaj, Andrew B. Watkins and Yuriy Kuleshov
Climate 2024, 12(11), 181; https://doi.org/10.3390/cli12110181

“Typical Marine Ecological Disasters in China Attributed to Marine Organisms and Their Significant Insights”
by Lulu Yao, Peimin He, Zhangyi Xia, Jiye Li and Jinlin Liu
Biology 2024, 13(9), 678; https://doi.org/10.3390/biology13090678

“Diatom Flora from Time-Series Sediment Trap in the Kuroshio Extension Region of the Northwestern Pacific”
by Joon Sang Park, Hyung Jeek Kim, Kyun-Woo Lee, Hyun Ju Ha and Yun Jae Kim
Taxonomy 2024, 4(3), 507-547; https://doi.org/10.3390/taxonomy4030025

“Ecological Impacts of Coastal Protection on the Vegetation of Sandy Coasts at the German Baltic Sea Coast”
by Daniela Glueck, Ulf Schiefelbein and Hendrik Schubert
Coasts 2024, 4(2), 437-453; https://doi.org/10.3390/coasts4020022

“Growth Performance and Environmental Quality Indices and Biomarkers in a Co-Culture of the European Sea Bass with Filter and Deposit Feeders: A Case Study of an IMTA System”
by Efthimia Cotou, Helen Miliou, Evanthia Chatzoglou, Eirini Schoina, Nektarios Politakis, Dimitra Kogiannou, Eleni Fountoulaki, Afrodite Androni, Aggeliki Konstantinopoulou, Georgia Assimakopoulou et al.
Fishes 2024, 9(2), 69; https://doi.org/10.3390/fishes9020069

“Stage-Specific Transcriptomes of the Mussel Mytilus coruscus Reveals the Developmental Program for the Planktonic to Benthic Transition”
by Yu-Qing Wang, Qi Liu, Yan Zhou, Lizhi Chen, Yue-Ming Yang, Xue Shi, Deborah M. Power and Yi-Feng Li
Genes 2023, 14(2), 287; https://doi.org/10.3390/genes14020287

Special Issues:

“Genetic Status and Perspectives of Fisheries Resources” Guest Editor: Dr. Wei Wang Submission deadline: 31 October 2025	“Environmental DNA (eDNA) for Assessment of Coastal Marine Biodiversity” Guest Editors: Dr. Maurizio Pinna and Dr. Valeria Specchia Submission deadline: 15 December 2025
“Sustainable Fisheries Dynamics” Guest Editors: Prof. Dr. Rong Wan and Prof. Dr. Junbo Zhang Submission deadline: 30 December 2025	“Coastal Ecosystems Under Pressure: Research on Biogeochemistry, Biodiversity and Ecosystems Management” Guest Editors: Dr. Marija Marguš and Dr. Jelena Mandić Submission deadline: 31 December 2025
“Social Sciences in Marine Ecology Conservation” Guest Editors: Dr. Chia-Hsuan Hsu and Dr. Jiefeng Kang Submission deadline: 31 December 2025

“IchthyNet: An Ensemble Method for the Classification of In Situ Marine Zooplankton Shadowgraph Images”
by Brittney Slocum and Bradley Penta
Oceans 2025, 6(1), 7; https://doi.org/10.3390/oceans6010007

“Exploring the Potential of Sentinel-1 Ocean Wind Field Product for Near-Surface Offshore Wind Assessment in the Norwegian Arctic”
by Eduard Khachatrian, Patricia Asemann, Lihong Zhou, Yngve Birkelund, Igor Esau and Benjamin Ricaud
Atmosphere 2024, 15(2), 146; https://doi.org/10.3390/atmos15020146

“CanStoc: A Hybrid Stochastic–GCM System for Monthly, Seasonal and Interannual Predictions”
by Shaun Lovejoy and Lenin Del Rio Amador
Meteorology 2023, 2(4), 509-529; https://doi.org/10.3390/meteorology2040029

Special Issues:

“Oceans from Space V” Guest Editor: Dr. Vittorio Barale Submission deadline: 1 October 2025	“Characterization and Monitoring of Coastal Hydrological Environment for Assessing the Impact of Seawater Intrusion on Coastal Aquifers” Guest Editors: Dr. Francesco Ronchetti, Dr. Marco Doveri and Dr. Marco Pola Submission deadline: 18 October 2025

The Third National Conference on Coastal Zones will be held from 28 to 30 July 2025 in Yantai, Shandong Province, under the theme of “Sustainable Coastal Zones”. The conference focuses on coastal zone resources and environment monitoring, land- and sea-integrated planning, ecological restoration and disaster prevention and control and other cutting-edge issues, aiming to respond to the strategic needs of the national ocean power and ecological civilization construction and to promote scientific and technological innovation in the field of coastal zone and sustainable development. Through keynote reports, invited special reports, a scholars’ forum, poster presentations, journal columns, and other diversified forms, the conference will systematically highlight the latest achievements in coastal zone research driven by new technologies such as air and space information, big data, artificial intelligence, etc., and discuss the scientific path of the integrated management of coastal zones, ecological protection, and synergistic economic and social development. The conference will provide an interdisciplinary exchange platform for domestic and international experts, scholars, industry representatives, and young researchers to help modernize governance systems and promote the high-quality development of China’s coastal zone.

MDPI will be attending the conference as an exhibitor. We welcome researchers from diverse backgrounds to attend and share their latest ideas with us.

The following MDPI journals will be represented at the conference:

• Ecologies;
• Diversity;
• JMSE;
• Land;
• Earth;
• Safety;
• Coasts;
• Conservation;
• Environments;
• Remote Sensing;
• Hydrology.

If you are planning to attend the above conference, we encourage you to visit our booth and speak to our representatives. We are eager to meet you in person and assist you with any queries that you may have. For more information about the conference, please visit the official website: https://www.science-conference.pro/demo_1023/cn/index.html.

From 27 April to 2 May 2025, MDPI joined the European Geosciences Union (EGU) General Assembly in Vienna, Austria, welcoming over 20,984 attendees from 120+ countries at booth 02 in the Entrance Hall. This landmark event featured 18,934 presentations across 1,102 sessions, with 56% of abstracts contributed by Early Career Scientists (ECSs)—a testament to the vibrant future of geosciences.

Academic Engagement: Dialogue and Collaboration

Meet the Editors-in-Chief
We hosted two insightful sessions with editorial leaders from top journals:

• April 28: Prof. Dr. Stephen Macko (Editor-in-Chief of Nitrogen) and Prof. Dr. Zhong Lu (Editor-in-Chief of GeoHazards);
• April 29: Dr. Tommaso Caloiero (Section Editor-in-Chief of Hydrology) and Prof. Dr. Rui A. P. Perdigão (Section Editor-in-Chief of Climate).

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

Environmental and Earth Sciences Journals Editorial Board Meeting

Award Ceremonies: Honoring Innovation

Remote Sensing Travel Award
On April 30, Dr. Nicola Nocentini (University of Padua and University of Florence) received the award from Associate Editor Prof. Dr. Fabio Tosti. Following the ceremony, Dr. Nocentini shared insights into an exclusive booth interview.

Geosciences Best Paper Award

Prof. Dr. Olivier Lacombe (Section Editor-in-Chief of Geosciences) presented the award for the paper “Improving the Estimation of the Occurrence Time of an Impending Major Earthquake Using the Entropy Change of Seismicity in Natural Time Analysis”—a groundbreaking study on earthquake prediction.

Interactive Highlights: Fun and Engagement

Raffle Games
Attendees enjoyed lively prize draws, with customized gifts adding a playful touch to scientific networking.

Quick Q&A Sessions
Topic-based quizzes sparked friendly competition, turning academic curiosity into interactive fun—even hesitant scholars joined the excitement!

Looking Ahead: Advancing Open Science

Participating in the EGU General Assembly constituted a profoundly enriching experience. Through this engagement, we engaged in profound dialogues not only with authors, reviewers, and members of the Editorial Boards associated with MDPI, but also were afforded 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 prospects of connecting with researchers from around the world, collaborating in unison to expand the frontiers of knowledge and advocate for the practices of open science.

Conference: The 2025 International Conference on Water Security and Sustainable Development
Date: 23–25 May 2025
Location: Xi'an, China

MDPI will be attending the 2025 International Conference on Water Security and Sustainable Development, which will be held from 23 to 25 May in Xi'an, China.

The International Conference on Water Security and Sustainable Development (ICWSSD) will bring together experts, scholars, policymakers, and industry leaders from around the globe to discuss the latest research findings, technological advancements, and policy responses related to water security and sustainable development.

Conference themes include, but are not limited to, the following:

• Water resource management and sustainable utilization;
• The impact of climate change on water security;
• Water pollution prevention and water quality protection;
• Energy development and water resource conservation;
• Water resources and socio-economic development;
• Water security and human health;
• Smart water management and technological innovation.

The following MDPI journals will be represented at the conference:

• Water;
• Limnological Review;
• Hydrology.

We will give a speech on 25 May, at 14:30, on the topic of Water journal introduction. If you plan to attend the conference, we encourage you to visit our booth and speak to our representatives. We are eager to meet you in person and assist you with any queries that you may have.

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

Workshop Highlights:

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

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

Program:

Conference: 44th International Conference on Ocean, Offshore & Arctic Engineering (OMAE)
Date: 22–27 June 2025
Location: Vancouver, Canada

MDPI will attend the 44th International Conference on Ocean, Offshore & Arctic Engineering (OMAE) as an exhibitor. This meeting will be held in Vancouver, Canada, from 22 to 27 June 2025.

The 44th International Conference on Ocean, Offshore & Arctic Engineering (OMAE) is organized by the American Society of Mechanical Engineers.

OMAE is where researchers present new advances in offshore and ship structures, reliable production methods, ocean engineering technology, and arctic sciences. And recently, OMAE has expanded to highlight research on offshore wind and solar energy, digitalization in key offshore operations, incorporation of advanced analytical techniques, and successful implementation of new technologies in the field.

Topics include the following:

• Structural Reliability;
• Materials Technology;
• Offshore Wind;
• Carbon Capture and Storage;
• Hydrogen Storage and Transport;
• Climate Change Impacts;
• Sustainable Solutions.
  

The following MDPI journals will be represented:

• JMSE;
• Oceans;
• Coasts;
• Energies;
• Applied Sciences;
• Applied Mechanics;
• JMMP;
• Wind;
• Machines;
• ESA;
• NDT;
• Hydrology.
  

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 #5 and answering any questions that you may have. For more information about the conference, please visit the following website: https://event.asme.org/OMAE.