Announcements

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

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

Keynote Speakers

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

In commemoration of International Mother Earth Day, MDPI is organizing a special webinar to bring together researchers and experts to share their thoughts on raising awareness about the importance of environmental protection and addressing pressing global issues such as climate change, ecosystem recovery, and sustainable development.

The theme of the webinar revolves around fostering a deeper understanding of humanity’s role in preserving our planet for future generations, as well as the crucial roles of biodiversity conservation and sustainable practices in preserving our ecosystems for future generations. This webinar will provide a platform for meaningful discussions and knowledge exchange on the importance of climate change and the importance of the recovery of our ecosystems.

We are looking forward to seeing you at the MDPI International Mother Earth Day Webinar 2025. Please find an up-to-date outline of the presenters below.

Any interesting suggestions regarding topics and speakers are welcome.

Date: 22 April 2025
Time: 8:30 a.m. CEST | 4:30 p.m. AEST | 2:30 p.m. CST Asia
Webinar ID: 878 0932 6864

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

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

Register now for free!

Program:

Webinar Speakers:

• Prof. Károly Németh, ¹ National Program of Earthquakes and Volcanoes, Saudi Geological Survey, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia; ² Institute of Earth Physics and Space Science, Sopron, Hungary; ³ Geoconservation Trust Aotearoa SW Pacific, Opotiki, New Zealand;
• Prof. Brendan Macke, Griffith University, Queensland, Australia.

For more information about this webinar, please visit https://sciforum.net/event/MEDW2025?subscribe.

If you have any questions about this webinar, please contact journal.webinar@mdpi.com.

MDPI International Mother Earth Day Webinar Secretariat

We are delighted to share some papers on urban green spaces research that were published in our journal Land (ISSN: 2073-445X) in 2023 and 2024. In addition, some Special Issues related to this topic are currently open for submission.

The following is a list of articles and Special Issues that we believe will interest you:

1. “Analysis of the Ecological Efficiency Increase of Urban Green Areas in Densely Populated Cities”
by Barbara Cardone, Valeria D’Ambrosio, Ferdinando Di Martino, Vittorio Miraglia and Marina Rigillo
Land 2023, 12(3), 523; https://doi.org/10.3390/land12030523
Available online: https://www.mdpi.com/2073-445X/12/3/523

2. “Measures of Greenspace Exposure and Their Association to Health-Related Outcomes for the Periods before and during the 2020 Lockdown: A Cross-Sectional Study in the West of England”
by Ahmed Tarek Zaky Fouad, Danielle Sinnett, Isabelle Bray, Rachael McClatchey and Rebecca Reece
Land 2023, 12(4), 728; https://doi.org/10.3390/land12040728
Available online: https://www.mdpi.com/2073-445X/12/4/728

3. “Cross-Cultural Comparison of Urban Green Space through Crowdsourced Big Data: A Natural Language Processing and Image Recognition Approach”
by Shuhao Liu, Chang Su, Junhua Zhang, Shiro Takeda, Jiarui Liu and Ruochen Yang
Land 2023, 12(4), 767; https://doi.org/10.3390/land12040767
Available online: https://www.mdpi.com/2073-445X/12/4/767

4. “Beyond Biodiversity: Eliciting Diverse Values of Urban Green Spaces in Flanders”
by Thomas Bastiaensen, Ewaut Van Wambeke, Camelia El Bakkali, Jomme Desair, Charlotte Noël, Kaat Kenis, Lukas Vincke and Sander Jacobs
Land 2023, 12(6), 1186; https://doi.org/10.3390/land12061186
Available online: https://www.mdpi.com/2073-445X/12/6/1186

5. “Managing Urban Green Areas: The Benefits of Collaborative Governance for Green Spaces”
by Danny Casprini, Alessandra Oppio, Giulia Rossi and Irene Bengo
Land 2023, 12(10), 1872; https://doi.org/10.3390/land12101872
Available online: https://www.mdpi.com/2073-445X/12/10/1872

6. “Do We Need Different Urban Green Spaces Now? A Case Study of Preferences during Pandemics”
by Ieva Misiune
Land 2023, 12(12), 2106; https://doi.org/10.3390/land12122106
Available online: https://www.mdpi.com/2073-445X/12/12/2106

7. “Urban Green Spaces in Bamako and Sikasso, Mali: Land Use Changes and Perceptions”
by Mohamed Fomba, Zinash Delebo Osunde, Souleymane Sidi Traoré, Appollonia Okhimamhe, Janina Kleemann and Christine Fürst
Land 2024, 13(1), 59; https://doi.org/10.3390/land13010059
Available online: https://www.mdpi.com/2073-445X/13/1/59

8. “Participatory Design of Urban Green Spaces to Improve Residents’ Health”
by Bram Oosterbroek, Joop de Kraker, Sandra Akkermans, Paola Esser and Pim Martens
Land 2024, 13(1), 88; https://doi.org/10.3390/land13010088
Available online: https://www.mdpi.com/2073-445X/13/1/88

9. “Perspective Swap from Central Europe to East Asia: How Relevant Is Urban Environmental Acupuncture in Small-Scale Green Space Development in the Context of the Republic of Korea?”
by Jiyoon Song, Jessica Hemingway and Chang Sug Park
Land 2024, 13(3), 298; https://doi.org/10.3390/land13030298
Available online: https://www.mdpi.com/2073-445X/13/3/298

10. “Your Favourite Park Is Not My Favourite Park: A Participatory Geographic Information System Approach to Improving Urban Green and Blue Spaces—A Case Study in Edinburgh, Scotland”
by Charlotte Wendelboe-Nelson, Yiyun Wang, Simon Bell, Craig W. McDougall and Catharine Ward Thompson
Land 2024, 13(3), 395; https://doi.org/10.3390/land13030395
Available online: https://www.mdpi.com/2073-445X/13/3/395

11. “Evaluating Urban Green Space Inequity to Promote Distributional Justice in Portland, Oregon”
by Evan Elderbrock, Kory Russel, Yekang Ko, Elizabeth Budd, Lilah Gonen and Chris Enright
Land 2024, 13(6), 720; https://doi.org/10.3390/land13060720
Available online: https://www.mdpi.com/2073-445X/13/6/720

12. “Conservation Management Practices for Biodiversity Preservation in Urban Informal Green Spaces: Lessons from Central European City”
by Piotr Archiciński, Arkadiusz Przybysz, Daria Sikorska, Marzena Wińska-Krysiak, Anderson Rodrigo Da Silva and Piotr Sikorski
Land 2024, 13(6), 764; https://doi.org/10.3390/land13060764
Available online: https://www.mdpi.com/2073-445X/13/6/764

13. “Multiple Roles of Green Space in the Resilience, Sustainability and Equity of Aotearoa New Zealand’s Cities”
by Paul Blaschke, Maibritt Pedersen Zari, Ralph Chapman, Edward Randal, Meredith Perry, Philippa Howden-Chapman and Elaine Gyde
Land 2024, 13(7), 1022; https://doi.org/10.3390/land13071022
Available online: https://www.mdpi.com/2073-445X/13/7/1022

14. “Peri-Urban and Urban Green Space Management and Planning: The Case of Thessaloniki, Greece”
by Maria Baxevani, Dimitrios Tsiotas, Georgios Kolkos Eleni Zafeiriou and Garyfallos Arabatzis
Land 2024, 13(8), 1235; https://doi.org/10.3390/land13081235
Available online: https://www.mdpi.com/2073-445X/13/8/1235

15. “Exploring Multi-Sensory Approaches for Psychological Well-Being in Urban Green Spaces: Evidence from Edinburgh’s Diverse Urban Environments”
by Siruo Qu and Ruochen Ma
Land 2024, 13(9), 1536; https://doi.org/10.3390/land13091536
Available online: https://www.mdpi.com/2073-445X/13/9/1536

• “Monitoring the Effect of Urban Green Space on Environmental Quality”
  Guest Editors: Marko Bizjak, Jihui Yuan and David Jesenko
  Submission Deadline: 16 June 2025

• “Urban Green Spaces: An Effective Tool to Regulate Urban Climate and Biodiversity, 2nd Edition”
  Guest Editors: Dr. Nikolaos Proutsos, Dr. Alexandra D. Solomou
  Submission Deadline: 31 July 2025

• “Redefining Urban Landscapes: Land Use and Regional Development in the Era of Urbanization”
  Guest Editors: Guangzhong Cao, Jiajie Liu and Yingzhi Qiu
  Submission Deadline: 31 December 2025

We are delighted to announce that Issue 3, Volume 14 of Land (ISSN: 2073-445X), was released in March 2025. The following is a list of partial articles which we believe will be of interest to you:

Section: “Land Systems and Global Change”
1. “Exploring the Multifaceted Aspects of Strawberry Tree (Arbutus unedo L.) Forests in Portugal”
by Maria Nazaré Coelho Pinheiro, Filomena Gomes, Goreti Botelho, Ivo Rodrigues, Ruslan Mariychuk and Lyudmyla Symochko
Land 2025, 14(3), 468; https://doi.org/10.3390/land14030468
Available online: https://www.mdpi.com/2073-445X/14/3/468

Section: “Landscape Ecology”
2. “Legacy Vegetation and Drainage Features Influence Sediment Dynamics and Tidal Wetland Recovery After Managed Dyke Realignment”
by Samantha Crowell, Megan Elliott, Kailey Nichols, Danika van Proosdij, Emma Poirier, Jennie Graham, Tony Bowron and Jeremy Lundholm
Land 2025, 14(3), 456; https://doi.org/10.3390/land14030456
Available online: https://www.mdpi.com/2073-445X/14/3/456

Section: “Land, Soil and Water”
3. “Prediction Capability of Analytical Hierarchy Process (AHP) in Badland Susceptibility Mapping: The Foglia River Basin (Italy) Case of Study”
by Margherita Bianchini, Stefano Morelli, Mirko Francioni and Roberta Bonì
Land 2025, 14(3), 651; https://doi.org/10.3390/land14030651
Available online: https://www.mdpi.com/2073-445X/14/3/651

Section: “Land Socio-Economic and Political Issues”
4. “Risk Assessment and Dynamic Monitoring of China’s Agricultural Investment in Countries Along the Belt and Road Under the Guidance of Cultivated Land Resources”
by Yameng Wang, Guanglu, Mingyue Zhang, Songxiang Wang, Yuxin Han and Linyan Ma
Land 2025, 14(3), 474; https://doi.org/10.3390/land14030474
Available online: https://www.mdpi.com/2073-445X/14/3/474

Section: “Urban Contexts and Urban-Rural Interactions”
5. “Recognising the Fourth Nature: A Case Study of Spontaneous Urban Vegetation in Southwest Australian Cities”
by Katherine Stewart and Maria Ignatieva
Land 2025, 14(3), 467; https://doi.org/10.3390/land14030467
Available online: https://www.mdpi.com/2073-445X/14/3/467

Section: “Land–Climate Interactions”
6. “Global Climate Convergence from 1980 to 2022 Led to Significant Increase in Vegetation Productivity”
by Hongjuan Zhu and Chuanhua Li
Land 2025, 14(3), 570; https://doi.org/10.3390/land14030570
Available online: https://www.mdpi.com/2073-445X/14/3/570

Section: “Land, Biodiversity, and Human Wellbeing”
7. “Adoption and Diversity of Agroforestry Systems in the Amazon Biome: A Bibliometric Overview”
by Daniela Pauletto, Marcelo Francia Arco-Verde, Ivan Crespo Silva, Lucas Sérgio de Sousa Lopes, Anselmo Junior Correa Araújo, Flávia Cristina Araújo Lucas, Seidel Ferreira dos Santos, Thiago Almeida Vieira, Carlos Tadeu dos Santos Dias and Lucieta Guerreiro Martorano
Land 2025, 14(3), 524; https://doi.org/10.3390/land14030524
Available online: https://www.mdpi.com/2073-445X/14/3/524

Section: “Land Use, Impact Assessment and Sustainability”
8. “A Compromise Programming Approach for Assessing Territorial Biophysical Suitability: A Case Study”
by António Xavier, Maria de Belém Costa Freitas and Carla Antunes
Land 2025, 14(3), 569; https://doi.org/10.3390/land14030569
Available online: https://www.mdpi.com/2073-445X/14/3/569

Section: “Land Innovations – Data and Machine Learning”
9. “Research on the Nonlinear Relationship Between Carbon Emissions from Residential Land and the Built Environment: A Case Study of Susong County, Anhui Province Using the XGBoost-SHAP Model”
by Congguang Xu, Wei Xiong, Simin Zhang, Hailiang Shi, Shichao Wu, Shanju Bao and Tieqiao Xiao
Land 2025, 14(3), 440; https://doi.org/10.3390/land14030440
Available online: https://www.mdpi.com/2073-445X/14/3/440

Section: “Water, Energy, Land and Food (WELF) Nexus”
10. “Framework Construction and Application of Gross Ecosystem Product (GEP) in the Three-River-Source National Park (TRSNP) in China”
by Peihong Jia, Jing Chen, Diangong Gao, Yuxin Zhu and Xinyue Wang
Land 2025, 14(3), 642; https://doi.org/10.3390/land14030642
Available online: https://www.mdpi.com/2073-445X/14/3/642

Section: “Land – Observation and Monitoring”
11. “Adopting Land Cover Standards for Sustainable Development in Ghana: Challenges and Opportunities”
by Elisha Njomaba, Fatima Mushtaq, Raymond Kwame Nagbija, Silas Yakalim, Ben Emunah Aikins and Peter Surovy
Land 2025, 14(3), 550; https://doi.org/10.3390/land14030550
Available online: https://www.mdpi.com/2073-445X/14/3/550

Section: “Land Planning and Landscape Architecture”
12. “Participatory Land Planning, Community Land Trusts, and Managed Retreat: Transforming Informality and Building Resilience to Flood Risk in Puerto Rico’s Caño Martín Peña”
by Ivis García and Leslie Martínez-Román
Land 2025, 14(3), 485; https://doi.org/10.3390/land14030485
Available online: https://www.mdpi.com/2073-445X/14/3/485

General
13. “The New Zealand Biodiversity Factor—Residential (NZBF-R): A Tool to Rapidly Score the Relative Biodiversity Value of Urban Residential Developments”
by Jacqueline Theis, Christopher K. Woolley, Philip J. Seddon, Danielle F. Shanahan, Claire Freeman, Maibritt Pedersen Zari and Yolanda van Heezik
Land 2025, 14(3), 526; https://doi.org/10.3390/land14030526
Available online: https://www.mdpi.com/2073-445X/14/3/526

14. “Structural and Functional Connectivity of Thermal Refuges in a Desert City: Impacts of Climate Change and Urbanization on Desert Wildlife”
by Amy E. Frazier, Brian Sehner and Barira Rashid
Land 2025, 14(3), 480; https://doi.org/10.3390/land14030480
Available online: https://www.mdpi.com/2073-445X/14/3/480

15. “Post-hoc Evaluation of Sample Size in a Regional Digital Soil Mapping Project”
by Daniel D. Saurette, Richard J. Heck, Adam W. Gillespie, Aaron A. Berg and Asim Biswas
Land 2025, 14(3), 545; https://doi.org/10.3390/land14030545
Available online: https://www.mdpi.com/2073-445X/14/3/545

MDPI is excited to announce its participation as an exhibitor at the 2025 International Association for Landscape Ecology—North America (IALE-NA) Annual Meeting, which will be held in Raleigh, United States, from 13 to 17 April 2025. 

The theme of this year’s meeting, “Landscapes of Change: Dynamic Interactions between Nature and People”, will bring together over 500 professionals and students from diverse fields, including geology, ecology, biology, geography, urban and regional planning, and landscape management and design. Discover how MDPI can support your research and academic goals. Our team will be at the booth to discuss MDPI’s submission process, editorial support, and the benefits of open access publishing. Plus, enjoy exciting gifts and exclusive resources that are only available at our booth! Do not miss out on this exciting opportunity.

The following MDPI journals will be present at the conference:

• Land;
• Sustainability;
• Urban Science;
• IJGI;
• Earth;
• Diversity;
• Ecologies;
• Geographies;
• Environments;
• Resources.

We are delighted to share some papers on production–living–ecological spaces research that were published in our journal Land (ISSN: 2073-445X) in 2023 and 2024. In addition, some Special Issues related to this topic are currently open for submission.

The following is a list of articles and Special Issues that we believe will interest you:

1. “Eco–Environmental Effects of “Production–Living–Ecological” Space Land Use Changes and Recommendations for Ecological Restoration: A Case Study of the Weibei Dryland in Shaanxi Province”
by Junfang Jin, Shuyan Yin, Hanmin Yin and Xin Bai
Land 2023, 12(5), 1060; https://doi.org/10.3390/land12051060
Available online: https://www.mdpi.com/2073-445X/12/5/1060

2. “Spatial–Temporal Pattern Characteristics and Impact Factors of Carbon Emissions in Production–Living–Ecological Spaces in Heilongjiang Province, China”
by Rong Guo, Xiaochen Wu, Tong Wu and Chao Dai
Land 2023, 12(6), 1153; https://doi.org/10.3390/land12061153
Available online: https://www.mdpi.com/2073-445X/12/6/1153

3. ”Evaluation of Spatial Functions and Scale Effects of “Production–Living–Ecological” Space in Hainan Island”
by Yuchen Peng, Qiaolin Luan and Changsheng Xiong
Land 2023, 12(8), 1637; https://doi.org/10.3390/land12081637
Available online: https://www.mdpi.com/2073-445X/12/8/1637

4. “Spatial Identification and Change Analysis of Production-Living-Ecological Space Using Multi-Source Geospatial Data: A Case Study in Jiaodong Peninsula, China”
by Mingyan Ni, Yindi Zhao, Caihong Ma, Wenzhi Jiang, Yanmei Xie and Xiaolin Hou
Land 2023, 12(9), 1748; https://doi.org/10.3390/land12091748
Available online: https://www.mdpi.com/2073-445X/12/9/1748

5. “Study into the Evolution of Spatiotemporal Characteristics and Driving Mechanisms of Production–Living–Ecological Spaces on the Indochina Peninsula”
by Shuang Lu, Zibo Zhou, Mingyang Houding, Liu Yang, Qiang Gao, Chenglong Cao, Xiang Li and Ziqiang Bu
Land 2023, 12(9), 1767; https://doi.org/10.3390/land12091767
Available online: https://www.mdpi.com/2073-445X/12/9/1767

6. “Spatiotemporal Variations of Production–Living–Ecological Space under Various, Changing Climate and Land Use Scenarios in the Upper Reaches of Hanjiang River Basin, China”
by Pengtao Wang, Xupu Li, Liwei Zhang, Zhuangzhuang Wang, Jiangtao Bai, Yongyong Song, Hongzhu Han, Ting Zhao, Guan Huang and Junping Yan
Land 2023, 12(9), 1770; https://doi.org/10.3390/land12091770
Available online: https://www.mdpi.com/2073-445X/12/9/1770

7. “Identify Optimization Type of Rural Settlements Based on “Production–Living–Ecological” Functions and Vitality: A Case Study of a Town in Northern China”
by Yafeng Zou, Chengfeng Yi, Yufei Rao, Feng Luo, Changhe Lv and Pinqi Wu
Land 2023, 12(10), 1905; https://doi.org/10.3390/land12101905
Available online: https://www.mdpi.com/2073-445X/12/10/1905

8. “Spatiotemporal Differentiation and Coupling Coordination Relationship of the Production–Living–Ecological Function at County Scale: A Case Study of Jiangsu Province”
by Zhongshun Gong, Ye Yuan, Lu Qie, Sihua Huang, Xuefeng Xie, Rui Zhong and Lijie Pu
Land 2023, 12(11), 2027; https://doi.org/10.3390/land12112027
Available online: https://www.mdpi.com/2073-445X/12/11/2027

9. “Production–Living–Ecological Spatial Function Identification and Pattern Analysis Based on Multi-Source Geographic Data and Machine Learning”
by Ziqiang Bu, Jingying Fu, Dong Jiang and Gang Lin
Land 2023, 12(11), 2029; https://doi.org/10.3390/land12112029
Available online: https://www.mdpi.com/2073-445X/12/11/2029

10. “Exploring Integrative Development of Urban Agglomeration from the Perspective of Urban Symbiosis and Production–Living–Ecological Function”
by Sijia Lin, Chun Li, Yanbo Li and Liding Chen
Land 2024, 13(2), 258; https://doi.org/10.3390/land13020258
Available online: https://www.mdpi.com/2073-445X/13/2/258

11. “Spatial Pattern and Coordination Relationship of Production–Living–Ecological Space Function and Residents’ Behavior Flow in Rural–Urban Fringe Areas”
by Xiaochen Sun, Bingzi Zhang, Shuni Ye, Sara Grigoryan, Yazhuo Zhang and Yike Hu
Land 2024, 13(4), 446; https://doi.org/10.3390/land13040446
Available online: https://www.mdpi.com/2073-445X/13/4/446

12. “Analysis of the Environmental Benefits and Driving Forces of the Development of the “Production–Living–Ecological Space” Pattern Based on the ERI-ESV Geodetector”
by Xi Zhou, Guohua Ji, Feng Wang, Xiang Ji and Cheng Hou
Land 2024, 13(7), 1059; https://doi.org/10.3390/land13071059
Available online: https://www.mdpi.com/2073-445X/13/7/1059

13. “The Ecological Environmental Effects and Topographic Gradient Analysis of Transformation in the Production–Living–Ecological Spaces in the Northern Slope of the Tianshan Mountains”
by Minghao Yi, Qingwu Yan, Keqi Li, Xiaosong Ma, Guie Li, Zihao Wu, Qinke Pan and Xingshan Chen
Land 2024, 13(8), 1170; https://doi.org/10.3390/land13081170
Available online: https://www.mdpi.com/2073-445X/13/8/1170

14. “Achieving Sustainable Land Use Allocation in High-Altitude Area by 2030: Insights from Circle Structure and Scenario Predictions for Production–Living–Ecological Land in Xining Marginal Area, China”
by Zizhen Jiang, Yuxuan Luo, Qi Wen, Mingjie Shi, Ramamoorthy Ayyamperumal and Meimei Wang
Land 2024, 13(8), 1241; https://doi.org/10.3390/land13081241
Available online: https://www.mdpi.com/2073-445X/13/8/1241

15. “Identifying Trade-Offs and Synergies of Production–Living–Ecological Functions and Their Drivers: The Case of Yangtze River Urban Agglomerations in China”
by Liang Zheng, Yajing Wang, Hui Yang, Yuzhe Bi, Lei Xu and Ying Wang
Land 2024, 13(8), 1322; https://doi.org/10.3390/land13081322
Available online: https://www.mdpi.com/2073-445X/13/8/1322

Special Issues:

“Climate Mitigation Potential of Urban Ecological Restoration”
Guest Editors: Dr. Yongze Song and Dr. Zihao Zheng
Submission deadline: 25 April 2025

“Soil Contamination—Ecological Environment Risk Assessment and Remediation”
Guest Editors: Dr. Magdalena Myszura-Dymek and Prof. Dr. Grażyna Żukowska
Submission deadline: 31 July 2025

“Agri-Food Systems, Land Transitions and Society in Evolving Africa”
Guest Editor: Prof. Dr. Hossein Azadi
Submission deadline: 31 August 2025

22 March marks World Water Day, a global observance dedicated to raising awareness about the importance of freshwater and advocating for the sustainable management of water resources. The theme for World Water Day 2025, “Glacier Preservation”, underscores the critical role glaciers play in sustaining life on Earth. Glaciers are vital natural reservoirs, providing meltwater that is essential for drinking water, agriculture, industry, clean energy production, and the health of ecosystems. However, the rapid melting of glaciers due to climate change is creating uncertainty in water availability, with profound consequences for communities, economies, and the planet.

As glaciers shrink, the world faces increasing risks of water scarcity, disruption to ecosystems, and heightened vulnerability to natural disasters. Protecting these frozen water resources is not just an environmental imperative but a necessity for ensuring a sustainable future.

Echoing the mission of safeguarding glaciers for generations to come, MDPI’s established journals in the Environmental and Earth Sciences field serve as leading platforms for scientific communication. By sharing cutting-edge research and practical solutions, MDPI contributes to global efforts to address the water crisis and protect these invaluable natural assets.

Join us in celebrating World Water Day 2025 and supporting initiatives that prioritize glacier preservation. Together, we can work toward a future where water resources are protected, ecosystems thrive, and communities are resilient in the face of climate challenges.

Feel free to register for this webinar here!

“Physical Vulnerability of The Gambia’s Coastline in the Context of Climate Change”
by Muhammad Leroy Albert Gomez, Kissao Gnandi, Chrétien Ngouanet, Ibrahima Pouye and Joshua Ntajal
World 2025, 6(1), 17; https://doi.org/10.3390/world6010017

“Segmentation of Glacier Area Using U-Net through Landsat Satellite Imagery for Quantification of Glacier Recession and Its Impact on Marine Systems”
by Edmund Robbins, Robert D. Breininger, Maxwell Jiang, Michelle Madera, Ryan T. White and Nezamoddin N. Kachouie
J. Mar. Sci. Eng. 2024, 12(10), 1788; https://doi.org/10.3390/jmse12101788

“Evaluating Rainwater Harvesting Systems for Water Scarcity Mitigation in Small Greek Islands under Climate Change”
by Elissavet Feloni and Panagiotis T. Nastos
Sustainability 2024, 16(6), 2592; https://doi.org/10.3390/su16062592

“Snow Water Equivalent Monitoring—A Review of Large-Scale Remote Sensing Applications”
by Samuel Schilling, Andreas Dietz and Claudia Kuenzer
Remote Sens. 2024, 16(6), 1085; https://doi.org/10.3390/rs16061085

“Ecosystem Services Supply from Peri-Urban Watersheds in Greece: Soil Conservation and Water Retention”
by Stefanos Stefanidis, Nikolaos Proutsos, Vasileios Alexandridis and Giorgos Mallinis
Land 2024, 13(6), 765; https://doi.org/10.3390/land13060765

“Comparison of Multiple Methods for Supraglacial Melt-Lake Volume Estimation in Western Greenland During the 2021 Summer Melt Season”
by Nathan Rowley, Wesley Rancher and Christopher Karmosky
Glacies 2024, 1(2), 92-110; https://doi.org/10.3390/glacies1020007

“Microbial Community Abundance and Metabolism Close to the Ice-Water Interface of the Blomstrandbreen Glacier (Kongsfjorden, Svalbard): A Sampling Survey Using an Unmanned Autonomous Vehicle”
by Maria Papale, Gabriella Caruso, Giovanna Maimone, Rosabruna La Ferla, Angelina Lo Giudice, Alessandro Ciro Rappazzo, Alessandro Cosenza, Filippo Azzaro, Roberta Ferretti, Rodolfo Paranhos et al.
Water 2023, 15(3), 556; https://doi.org/10.3390/w15030556

“Projected Future Flooding Pattern of Wabash River in Indiana and Fountain Creek in Colorado: An Assessment Utilizing Bias-Corrected CMIP6 Climate Data”
by Swarupa Paudel, Neekita Joshi and Ajay Kalra
Forecasting 2023, 5(2), 405-423; https://doi.org/10.3390/forecast5020022

“Mountain Cryosphere Landscapes in South America: Value and Protection”
by Sebastián Ruiz-Pereira, Voltaire Alvarado Peterson and Darío Trombotto Liaudat
Conservation 2023, 3(1), 232-246; https://doi.org/10.3390/conservation3010017

“Diversity and Variability of the Course of Ice Phenomena on the Lakes Located in the Southern and Eastern Part of the Baltic Sea Catchment Area”
by Rajmund Skowron, Pavel Kirvel, Adam Choiński and Ivan Kirvel
Limnol. Rev. 2023, 23(1), 33-49; https://doi.org/10.3390/limnolrev23010003

Every 23 March, the World Meteorological Organization commemorates the coming into force of the convention establishing the World Meteorological Organization on 23 March 1950. This day highlights the critical role of meteorology in understanding and addressing global challenges, particularly the urgent threat of climate change. Climate change is a real and undeniable crisis that poses significant risks to our civilization. Its effects—rising temperatures, extreme weather events, and shifting climate patterns—are already visible and will have catastrophic consequences if immediate action is not taken.

The theme for World Meteorological Day 2025, “Closing the Early Warning Gap Together”, emphasizes the importance of collaboration in strengthening early warning systems to protect vulnerable communities from climate-related disasters. Early warnings save lives, reduce economic losses, and empower societies to adapt to a changing climate. However, significant gaps remain in global coverage, particularly in developing regions.

Inspired by this mission and reflecting in line with Goal 13 of the SDG Publishers Compact: Climate Action, MDPI’s established journals in the environmental and Earth sciences field serve as vital platforms for scientific communication. By sharing cutting-edge research and practical solutions, MDPI contributes to global efforts to close the early warning gap and build a more climate-resilient world.

Join us in celebrating World Meteorological Day 2025 and supporting initiatives that strengthen early warning systems and address the impacts of climate change. Together, we can work toward a future where communities are better prepared, informed, and protected from the growing threats of a changing climate.

Invited speakers:

Feel free to register for this webinar here!

“Establishing an Early Warning System for Dust Storms in Peri-Desert Regions”
by Aishajiang Aili, Abdul Waheed, Xinfeng Zhao and Hailiang Xu
Environments 2024, 11(4), 61; https://doi.org/10.3390/environments11040061

“The Quality Urban Label and the 4Q City Model: Levers for Urban Adaptation and Climate Change Mitigation in Mediterranean Cities”
by Jordi Mazon
Urban Sci. 2024, 8(4), 228; https://doi.org/10.3390/urbansci8040228

“Forecasting Convective Storms Trajectory and Intensity by Neural Networks”
by Niccolò Borghi, Giorgio Guariso and Matteo Sangiorgio
Forecasting 2024, 6(2), 326-342; https://doi.org/10.3390/forecast6020018

“Decoding the Atmosphere: Optimising Probabilistic Forecasts with Information Gain”
by John R. Lawson, Corey K. Potvin and Kenric Nelson
Meteorology 2024, 3(2), 212-231; https://doi.org/10.3390/meteorology3020010

“Climate-Change-Driven Droughts and Tree Mortality: Assessing the Potential of UAV-Derived Early Warning Metrics”
by Ewane Basil Ewane, Midhun Mohan, Shaurya Bajaj, G. A. Pabodha Galgamuwa, Michael S. Watt, Pavithra Pitumpe Arachchige, Andrew T. Hudak, Gabriella Richardson, Nivedhitha Ajithkumar, Shruthi Srinivasan et al.
Remote Sens. 2023, 15(10), 2627; https://doi.org/10.3390/rs15102627

“Features of Soil Organic Carbon Transformations in the Southern Area of the East European Plain”
by Fedor N. Lisetskii, Zhanna A. Buryak, Olga A. Marinina, Pavel A. Ukrainskiy and Pavel V. Goleusov
Geosciences 2023, 13(9), 278; https://doi.org/10.3390/geosciences13090278

“Exact Expressions for Lightning Electromagnetic Fields: Application to the Rusck Field-to-Transmission Line Coupling Model”
by Vernon Cooray, Gerald Cooray, Marcos Rubinstein and Farhad Rachidi
Atmosphere 2023, 14(2), 350; https://doi.org/10.3390/atmos14020350

“Advances in Monitoring of Hydrological and Ecological Processes Under Climate Change” Guest Editor: Dr. Haibo Wang Submission deadline: 20 June 2025	“Integrating Remote Sensing, Machine Learning, and Process-Based Modelling for Monitoring Environmental and Agricultural Landscapes Under Climate Change” Guest Editors: Dr. Michael Gbenga Ogungbuyi and Dr. Dimitrios D. Alexakis Submission deadline: 28 June 2025
“Enhancing Urban Sustainability and Well-Being in Developing Regions Facing Climate Change Impacts and Economic Constraints” Guest Editor: Dr. Aya Hagishima Submission deadline: 30 June 2025	“Tropical Cyclones and Their Impacts (2nd Edition)” Guest Editor: Prof. Dr. Corene Matyas Submission deadline: 30 September 2025
“Early Career Scientists' (ECS) Contributions to Meteorology (2025)” Guest Editor: Dr. Edoardo Bucchignani Submission deadline: 30 November 2025	“Advancements in Artificial Intelligence for Bioaerosol Detection, Characterization, and Modeling” Guest Editors: Dr. Salvatore Romano and Dr. Mattia Fragola Submission deadline: 31 December 2025

Environ. Earth Sci. Proc., 2023, ECAS 2023 The 6th International Electronic Conference on Atmospheric Sciences Online | 15–30 October 2023 Organizer: MDPI Atmosphere Volume Editor: Anthony R. Lupo, University of Missouri, USA Full list of the conference proceedings

The International Day of Forests, observed annually on 21 March, highlights the indispensable role forests play in sustaining life on Earth. Forests are pillars of global food security and nutrition, providing livelihoods for millions of families worldwide. They are a vital source of essential foods for indigenous and rural communities, offering fruits, nuts, and other resources that are integral to their diets and cultures. Beyond food, forests are a cornerstone of sustainable energy, agriculture, and environmental health. They support pollinators, enrich soil, regulate the climate, and conserve biodiversity, making them critical to the balance of our planet's ecosystems. 

However, deforestation, climate change, and unsustainable practices threaten forests and the countless benefits they provide. In alignment with the 2025 theme for International Day of Forests, “Forests and Food” and Goal 13 of the SDG Publishers Compact: Climate Action,  MDPI’s established journals in Section “Environmental and Earth Sciences” serve as vital platforms for scientific communication to recognize the urgent need to protect and restore these natural treasures. 

Join us in celebrating International Day of Forests and supporting initiatives that protect these vital ecosystems. Together, we can work toward a future where forests continue to nourish and sustain life for generations to come. 

Invited speakers: 

  Feel free to register for this webinar here! 

“Forest Fire Prediction: A Spatial Machine Learning and Neural Network Approach”
by Sanjeev Sharma and Puskar Khanal
Fire 2024, 7(6), 205; https://doi.org/10.3390/fire7060205 

“High-Severity Wildfires Alter Ant (Hymenoptera: Formicidae) Foraging Assemblage Structure in Montane Coniferous Forests and Grasslands in the Jemez Mountains, New Mexico, USA”
by Jonathan Knudsen, Robert Parmenter, Theodore Sumnicht and Robin Verble
Conservation 2024, 4(4), 830-846; https://doi.org/10.3390/conservation4040049 

“Aboveground Biomass and Carbon Storage in Mangrove Forests in Southeastern Mexico”
by Carlos Roberto Ávila-Acosta, Marivel Domínguez-Domínguez, César Jesús Vázquez-Navarrete, Rocío Guadalupe Acosta-Pech and Pablo Martínez-Zurimendi
Resources 2024, 13(3), 41; https://doi.org/10.3390/resources13030041 

“A Nature-Based Approach Using Felled Burnt Logs to Enhance Forest Recovery Post-Fire and Reduce Erosion Phenomena in the Mediterranean Area”
by Giuseppe Bombino, Daniela D’Agostino, Pasquale A. Marziliano, Pedro Pérez Cutillas, Salvatore Praticò, Andrea R. Proto, Leonardo M. Manti, Giuseppina Lofaro and Santo M. Zimbone
Land 2024, 13(2), 236; https://doi.org/10.3390/land13020236 

“Effects of Climate Change on Greek Forests: A Review”
by Panagiotis P. Koulelis, Nikolaos Proutsos, Alexandra D. Solomou, Evangelia V. Avramidou, Ermioni Malliarou, Miltiadis Athanasiou, Gavriil Xanthopoulos and Panos V. Petrakis
Atmosphere 2023, 14(7), 1155; https://doi.org/10.3390/atmos14071155 

“Assisted Migration of Sequoiadendron Genotypes for Conservation and Timber: Performance and Morphology in a Warmer Climate Outside of Their Range”
by Christopher M. Valness, William J. Libby and John-Pascal Berrill
Conservation 2023, 3(4), 543-568; https://doi.org/10.3390/conservation3040035 

“Analysis of Accelerometer Data Using Random Forest Models to Classify the Behavior of a Wild Nocturnal Primate: Javan Slow Loris (Nycticebus javanicus)”
by Amanda Hathaway, Marco Campera, Katherine Hedger, Marianna Chimienti, Esther Adinda, Nabil Ahmad, Muhammed Ali Imron and K. A. I. Nekaris
Ecologies 2023, 4(4), 636-653; https://doi.org/10.3390/ecologies4040042 

“Pinus contorta Alters Microenvironmental Conditions and Reduces Plant Diversity in Patagonian Ecosystems”
by Rafael A. García, Eduardo Fuentes-Lillo, Lohengrin Cavieres, Ana J. Cóbar-Carranza, Kimberley T. Davis, Matías Naour, Martín A. Núñez, Bruce D. Maxwell, Jonas J. Lembrechts and Aníbal Pauchard
Diversity 2023, 15(3), 320; https://doi.org/10.3390/d15030320 

“Characterizing the Change of Annual Cone Production in Longleaf Pine Forests”
by Xiongwen Chen and John L. Willis
Seeds 2023, 2(2), 220-231; https://doi.org/10.3390/seeds2020017 

“Physiological Potential of Seeds of Handroanthus spongiosus (Rizzini) S. Grose (Bignoniaceae) Determined by the Tetrazolium Test”
by Jailton de Jesus Silva, Raquel Araujo Gomes, Maria Aparecida Rodrigues Ferreira, Claudineia Regina Pelacani and Bárbara França Dantas
Seeds 2023, 2(2), 208-219; https://doi.org/10.3390/seeds2020016