Announcements

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

Glaciers are essential to the Earth’s ecosystem, playing a vital role as critical freshwater reservoirs and key indicators of the planet’s health. They provide water resources for millions of people, regulate global sea levels, and support unique ecosystems and biodiversity. However, these icy giants are in peril. Increasing global temperatures are driving glaciers to shrink rapidly, resulting in water shortages, higher sea levels, and a greater likelihood of floods and landslides. Recognizing their immense importance, the United Nations has declared 21 March the World Day for Glaciers, alongside the International Year of Glaciers 2025. These initiatives aim to raise global awareness about the urgent need to protect glaciers and address the challenges posed by climate change.

Aligned with the 2025 theme, “Glaciers: Guardians of Earth's Future”, MDPI’s established journals in the fields of environmental and earth sciences will serve as leading platforms for scientific communication. These journals foster collaboration among researchers, policymakers, and communities, promoting innovative solutions for glacier preservation and climate resilience. By sharing cutting-edge research and actionable insights, MDPI contributes to the global effort to safeguard these natural wonders and ensure a sustainable future for generations to come.

Join us in celebrating the World Day for Glaciers and supporting scientific advancements that protect these irreplaceable guardians of our planet. Together, we can work toward a thriving Earth, where glaciers continue to sustain life and inspire awe.

Invited speakers:

	Dr. Abror Gafurov, German Research Centre for Geoscience, Potsdam, Germany Presentation: “Operational Cryosphere and Water Resources Monitoring Using MODSNOW: Examples from Central & South Asia”
	Dr. Danilo Godone, Research Institute for Geo-Hydrological Protection, Perugia, Italy Presentation: “Geo-Hydrological Hazards Monitoring at High Elevation”

Feel free to register for this webinar here!

“Characteristics of Runoff Components in the Mingyong Glacier Basin, Meili Snow Mountains”
by Zichen Zhang, Lihua Wu, Jun Feng, Zhiwen Dong, Xiong Zhao, Yi Sun, Xiping Cheng, Liqin Dong and Tingting Liu
Water 2024, 16(7), 937; https://doi.org/10.3390/w16070937

“Comparison of Machine Learning Models in Simulating Glacier Mass Balance: Insights from Maritime and Continental Glaciers in High Mountain Asia”
by Weiwei Ren, Zhongzheng Zhu, Yingzheng Wang, Jianbin Su, Ruijie Zeng, Donghai Zheng and Xin Li
Remote Sens. 2024, 16(6), 956; https://doi.org/10.3390/rs16060956

“Reconstructing the Relative Ice-Flow Chronology South of Lake Mistassini in Canada from New Ice-Flow Indicator Mapping”
by Mohamed El Amrani, Khadija Diani, Mohamed Hafedh Hamza, Mohamed Elhag, Said Courba, Afaf Amine, Moulay Ahmed Ben Driss, Lahcen Ousaid, Nabil Mdiker, Youssef Hahou et al.
Limnol. Rev. 2024, 24(4), 450-465; https://doi.org/10.3390/limnolrev24040026

“Extremely Cold Climate and Social Vulnerability in Alaska: Problems and Prospects”
by Elena A. Grigorieva, John E. Walsh and Vladimir A. Alexeev
Climate 2024, 12(2), 20; https://doi.org/10.3390/cli12020020

“Yearly Elevation Change and Surface Velocity Revealed from Two UAV Surveys at Baishui River Glacier No. 1, Yulong Snow Mountain”
by Leiyu Li, Yuande Yang, Shijin Wang, Chuya Wang, Qihua Wang, Yuqiao Chen, Junhao Wang, Songtao Ai and Yanjun Che
Atmosphere 2024, 15(2), 231; https://doi.org/10.3390/atmos15020231

“Calculation of Black Ice Thickness and Heat Fluxes inside the Ice and at the Water–Ice Boundary in a Boreal Lake”
by Sergey Bogdanov, Nikolay Palshin, Roman Zdorovennov, Tatiana Efremova, Sergei Smirnov and Galina Zdorovennova
Limnol. Rev. 2023, 23(3), 138-156; https://doi.org/10.3390/limnolrev23030009

“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

“The Influence of Glacier Mass Balance on River Runoff in the Typical Alpine Basin”
by Bin Yang, Weibing Du, Junli Li, Anming Bao, Wen Ge, Shuangting Wang, Xiaoxuan Lyu, Xin Gao and Xiaoqian Cheng
Water 2023, 15(15), 2762; https://doi.org/10.3390/w15152762

“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

“Glacial Lakes and Related Hazards: Mapping, Monitoring, and Risk Assessment” Guest Editors: Prof. Dr. Yong Nie, Prof. Dr. Qiao Liu, Prof. Dr. Guoqing Zhang and Prof. Dr. Xin Wang Submission deadline: 15 July 2025	“Mathematical, Physical, Chemical, and Biological Methods for Ice and Water Problems” Guest Editors: Prof. Dr. Zhijun Li and Dr. Fang Li Submission deadline: 31 December 2025

It is our honor to present some highly cited papers published by Land (ISSN: 2073-445X) in 2023. We would like to acknowledge the hardworking individuals and teams whose work inspires fellow researchers and influences the field of land system science. We invite you to read the outstanding works listed below:

1. “Research on the Impact of Digital Agriculture Development on Agricultural Green Total Factor Productivity”
by Xinxin Zhou, Tong Chen and Bangbang Zhang
Land 2023, 12(1), 195; https://doi.org/10.3390/land12010195
Available online: https://www.mdpi.com/2073-445X/12/1/195

2. “Environmental Forest Fire Danger Rating Systems and Indices around the Globe: A Review”
Ioannis Zacharakis and Vassilios A. Tsihrintzis
Land 2023, 12(1), 194; https://doi.org/10.3390/land12010194
Available online: https://www.mdpi.com/2073-445X/12/1/194

3. “Nature-Based Solutions Modeling and Cost-Benefit Analysis to Face Climate Change Risks in an Urban Area: The Case of Turin (Italy)”
by Anna Biasin, Mauro Masiero, Giulia Amato and Davide Pettenella
Land 2023, 12(2), 280; https://doi.org/10.3390/land12020280
Available online: https://www.mdpi.com/2073-445X/12/2/280

4. “Assessing Changes in Land Use/Land Cover and Ecological Risk to Conserve Protected Areas in Urban–Rural Contexts”
by Isabelle D. Wolf, Parvaneh Sobhani and Hassan Esmaeilzadeh
Land 2023, 12(1), 231; https://doi.org/10.3390/land12010231
Available online: https://www.mdpi.com/2073-445X/12/1/231

5. “Soil Water Erosion Modeling in Tunisia Using RUSLE and GIS Integrated Approaches and Geospatial Data”
by Mohamed Moncef Serbaji, Moncef Bouaziz and Okba Weslati
Land 2023, 12(3), 548; https://doi.org/10.3390/land12030548
Available online: https://www.mdpi.com/2073-445X/12/3/548

6. “The Configurational Structures of Social Spaces: Space Syntax and Urban Morphology in the Context of Analytical, Evidence-Based Design”
by Kayvan Karimi
Land 2023, 12(11), 2084; https://doi.org/10.3390/land12112084
Available online: https://www.mdpi.com/2073-445X/12/11/2084

7. “Identifying Visual Quality of Rural Road Landscape Character by Using Public Preference and Heatmap Analysis in Sabak Bernam, Malaysia”
by Hangyu Gao, Shamsul Abu Bakar, Suhardi Maulan, Mohd Johari Mohd Yusof, Riyadh Mundher and Khalilah Zakariya
Land 2023, 12(7), 1440; https://doi.org/10.3390/land12071440
Available online: https://www.mdpi.com/2073-445X/12/7/1440

8. “Assessment and Forecast of Shoreline Change Using Geo-Spatial Techniques in the Gulf of California”
by Yedid Guadalupe Zambrano-Medina, Wenseslao Plata-Rocha, Sergio Alberto Monjardin-Armenta and Cuauhtémoc Franco-Ochoa
Land 2023, 12(4), 782; https://doi.org/10.3390/land12040782
Available online: https://www.mdpi.com/2073-445X/12/4/782

9. “Protection of Environmental and Natural Values of Urban Areas against Investment Pressure: A Case Study of Romania and Poland”
by Paulina Legutko-Kobus, Maciej Nowak, Alexandru-Ionut Petrisor, Dan Bărbulescu, Cerasella Craciun and Atena-Ioana Gârjoabă
Land 2023, 12(1), 245; https://doi.org/10.3390/land12010245
Available online: https://www.mdpi.com/2073-445X/12/1/245

10. “Thematic Comparison between ESA WorldCover 2020 Land Cover Product and a National Land Use Land Cover Map”
by Diogo Duarte, Cidália Fonte, Hugo Costa and Mário Caetano
Land 2023, 12(2), 490; https://doi.org/10.3390/land12020490
Available online: https://www.mdpi.com/2073-445X/12/2/490

It is our honor to present some highly cited papers published by Land (ISSN: 2073-445X) in 2023. We would like to acknowledge the hardworking individuals and teams whose work inspires fellow researchers and influences the field of land system science. We invite you to read the outstanding works listed below:

1. “U-Net-LSTM: Time Series-Enhanced Lake Boundary Prediction Model”
by Lirong Yin, Lei Wang, Tingqiao Li, Siyu Lu, Jiawei Tian, Zhengtong Yin, Xiaolu Li and Wenfeng Zheng
Land 2023, 12(10), 1859; https://doi.org/10.3390/land12101859
Available online: https://www.mdpi.com/2073-445X/12/10/1859

2. “The Use of biochar in the Remediation of Pb, Cd, and Cu-Contaminated Soils. The Impact of biochar Feedstock and Preparation Conditions on Its Remediation Capacity”
by Theodora Bousdra, Sotiria G. Papadimou and Evangelia E. Golia
Land 2023, 12(2), 383; https://doi.org/10.3390/land12020383
Available online: https://www.mdpi.com/2073-445X/12/2/383

3. “Merging Green and Active Transportation Infrastructure towards an Equitable Accessibility to Green Areas: Barcelona Green Axes”
by Francesc Magrinyà, Josep Mercadé-Aloy and Borja Ruiz-Apilánez
Land 2023, 12(4), 919; https://doi.org/10.3390/land12040919
Available online: https://www.mdpi.com/2073-445X/12/4/919

4. “Carbon Pool Dynamic and Soil Microbial Respiration Affected by Land Use Alteration: A Case Study in Humid Subtropical Area”
by Mohammad Ghorbani, Elnaz Amirahmadi, Petr Konvalina, Jan Moudrý, Marek Kopecký and Trong Nghia Hoang
Land 2023, 12(2), 459; https://doi.org/10.3390/land12020459
Available online: https://www.mdpi.com/2073-445X/12/2/459

5. “Residents’ Satisfaction with Green Spaces and Daily Life in Small Urban Settings: Romanian Perspectives”
by Mariana Cernicova-Buca, Vasile Gherheș and Ciprian Obrad
Land 2023, 12(3), 689; https://doi.org/10.3390/land12030689
Available online: https://www.mdpi.com/2073-445X/12/3/689

6. “Analysis of Conditioning Factors in Cuenca, Ecuador, for Landslide Susceptibility Maps Generation Employing Machine Learning Methods”
by Esteban Bravo-López, Tomás Fernández Del Castillo, Chester Sellers and Jorge Delgado-García
Land 2023, 12(6), 1135; https://doi.org/10.3390/land12061135
Available online: https://www.mdpi.com/2073-445X/12/6/1135

7. “Machine Learning-Based Assessment of Watershed Morphometry in Makran”
by Reza Derakhshani, Mojtaba Zaresefat, Vahid Nikpeyman, Amin GhasemiNejad, Shahram Shafieibafti, Ahmad Rashidi, Majid Nemati and Amir Raoof
Land 2023, 12(4), 776; https://doi.org/10.3390/land12040776
Available online: https://www.mdpi.com/2073-445X/12/4/776

8. “Creative Tourism in Islands and Regional Sustainable Development: What Can We Learn from the Pilot Projects Implemented in the Azores Territory?”
by Rui Alexandre Castanho, Carlos Santos and Gualter Couto
Land 2023, 12(2), 498; https://doi.org/10.3390/land12020498
Available online: https://www.mdpi.com/2073-445X/12/2/498

9. “Building a Community’s Adaptive Capacity for Post-Mining Plans Based on Important Performance Analysis: Case Study from Indonesia”
by Agung Dwi Sutrisno, Yun-Ju Chen, I Wayan Koko Suryawan and Chun-Hung Lee
Land 2023, 12(7), 1285; https://doi.org/10.3390/land12071285
Available online: https://www.mdpi.com/2073-445X/12/7/1285

10. “Defining and Regulating Peri-Urban Areas through a Landscape Planning Approach: The Case Study of Turin Metropolitan Area (Italy)”
by Enrico Gottero, Federica Larcher and Claudia Cassatella
Land 2023, 12(1), 217; https://doi.org/10.3390/land12010217
Available online: https://www.mdpi.com/2073-445X/12/1/217

It is our honor to present some highly cited papers published by Land (ISSN: 2073-445X) in 2023. We would like to acknowledge the hardworking individuals and teams whose work inspires fellow researchers and influences the field of land system science. We invite you to read the outstanding works listed below:

1. “YOLOV4_CSPBi: Enhanced Land Target Detection Model”
by Lirong Yin, Lei Wang, Jianqiang Li, Siyu Lu, Jiawei Tian, Zhengtong Yin, Shan Liu and Wenfeng Zheng
Land 2023, 12(9), 1813; https://doi.org/10.3390/land12091813
Available online: https://www.mdpi.com/2073-445X/12/9/1813

2. “Urban Heat Island Mitigation and Urban Green Spaces: Testing a Model in the City of Padova (Italy)”
by Paolo Semenzato and Lucia Bortolini
Land 2023, 12(2), 476; https://doi.org/10.3390/land12020476
Available online: https://www.mdpi.com/2073-445X/12/2/476

3. “A Decision Support Tool for Green Infrastructure Planning in the Face of Rapid Urbanization”
by Peta Brom, Kristine Engemann, Christina Breed, Maya Pasgaard, Titilope Onaolapo and Jens-Christian Svenning
Land 2023, 12(2), 415; https://doi.org/10.3390/land12020415
Available online: https://www.mdpi.com/2073-445X/12/2/415

4. “Biochar as Soil Amendment: The Effect of Biochar on Soil Properties Using VIS-NIR Diffuse Reflectance Spectroscopy, Biochar Aging and Soil Microbiology—A Review”
by Vasileios Tsolis and Pantelis Barouchas
Land 2023, 12(8), 1580; https://doi.org/10.3390/land12081580
Available online: https://www.mdpi.com/2073-445X/12/8/1580

5. “Testing the Effect of Relative Pollen Productivity on the REVEALS Model: A Validated Reconstruction of Europe-Wide Holocene Vegetation”
by M. A. Serge, F. Mazier, R. Fyfe, M.-J. Gaillard, T. Klein, A. Lagnoux, D. Galop, E. Githumbi, M. Mindrescu, A. B. Nielsen et al.
Land 2023, 12(5), 986; https://doi.org/10.3390/land12050986
Available online: https://www.mdpi.com/2073-445X/12/5/986

6. “Digital Twin for Active Stakeholder Participation in Land-Use Planning”
by David Adade and Walter Timo de Vries
Land 2023, 12(3), 538; https://doi.org/10.3390/land12030538
Available online: https://www.mdpi.com/2073-445X/12/3/538

7. “A Computational Geospatial Approach to Assessing Land-Use Compatibility in Urban Planning”
by Omid Mansourihanis, Mohammad Javad Maghsoodi Tilaki, Samira Yousefian and Ayda Zaroujtaghi
Land 2023, 12(11), 2083; https://doi.org/10.3390/land12112083
Available online: https://www.mdpi.com/2073-445X/12/11/2083

8. “Linking Flood Risk Mitigation and Food Security: An Analysis of Land-Use Change in the Metropolitan Area of Rome”
by Davide Marino, Margherita Palmieri, Angelo Marucci, Mariangela Soraci, Antonio Barone and Silvia Pili
Land 2023, 12(2), 366; https://doi.org/10.3390/land12020366
Available online: https://www.mdpi.com/2073-445X/12/2/366

9. “Shifting Sands: Assessing Bankline Shift Using an Automated Approach in the Jia Bharali River, India”
by Jatan Debnath, Dhrubajyoti Sahariah, Anup Saikia, Gowhar Meraj, Nityaranjan Nath, Durlov Lahon, Wajahat Annayat, Pankaj Kumar, Kesar Chand, Suraj Kumar Singh et al.
Land 2023, 12(3), 703; https://doi.org/10.3390/land12030703
Available online: https://www.mdpi.com/2073-445X/12/3/703

10. “Sustainable Rural Development through Local Cultural Heritage Capitalization—Analyzing the Cultural Tourism Potential in Rural Romanian Areas: A Case Study of Hărman Commune of Brașov Region in Romania”
by Cătălina Ancuța and Ioan Sebastian Jucu
Land 2023, 12(7), 1297; https://doi.org/10.3390/land12071297
Available online: https://www.mdpi.com/2073-445X/12/7/1297

It is our honor to present some highly cited papers published by Land (ISSN: 2073-445X) in 2023. We would like to acknowledge the hardworking individuals and teams whose work inspires fellow researchers and influences the field of land system science. We invite you to read the outstanding works listed below.

1. “U-Net-STN: A Novel End-to-End Lake Boundary Prediction Model”
by Lirong Yin, Lei Wang, Tingqiao Li, Siyu Lu, Zhengtong Yin, Xuan Liu, Xiaolu Li and Wenfeng Zheng
Land 2023, 12(8), 1602; https://doi.org/10.3390/land12081602
Available online: https://www.mdpi.com/2073-445X/12/8/1602

2. “From Garden City to 15-Minute City: A Historical Perspective and Critical Assessment”
by Amir Reza Khavarian-Garmsir, Ayyoob Sharifi, Mohammad Hajian Hossein Abadi and Zahra Moradi
Land 2023, 12(2), 512; https://doi.org/10.3390/land12020512
Available online: https://www.mdpi.com/2073-445X/12/2/512

3. “Landslide Susceptibility Assessment of a Part of the Western Ghats (India) Employing the AHP and F-AHP Models and Comparison with Existing Susceptibility Maps”
by Sheela Bhuvanendran Bhagya, Anita Saji Sumi, Sankaran Balaji, Jean Homian Danumah, Romulus Costache, Ambujendran Rajaneesh, Ajayakumar Gokul, Chandini Padmanabhapanicker Chandrasenan, Renata Pacheco Quevedo, Alfred Johny et al.
Land 2023, 12(2), 468; https://doi.org/10.3390/land12020468
Available online: https://www.mdpi.com/2073-445X/12/2/468

4. “A Systematic Review of Disaster Management Systems: Approaches, Challenges, and Future Directions”
by Saad Mazhar Khan, Imran Shafi, Wasi Haider Butt, Isabel de la Torre Diez, Miguel Angel López Flores, Juan Castanedo Galán and Imran Ashraf
Land 2023, 12(8), 1514; https://doi.org/10.3390/land12081514
Available online: https://www.mdpi.com/2073-445X/12/8/1514

5. “Impact of Climate Change on Agroecosystems and Potential Adaptation Strategies”
by Teodoro Semeraro, Aurelia Scarano, Angelo Leggieri, Antonio Calisi and Monica De Caroli
Land 2023, 12(6), 1117; https://doi.org/10.3390/land12061117
Available online: https://www.mdpi.com/2073-445X/12/6/1117

6. “Residents’ Quality of Life in Smart Cities: A Systematic Literature Review”
by Songling Chang and Melanie Kay Smith
Land 2023, 12(4), 876; https://doi.org/10.3390/land12040876
Available online: https://www.mdpi.com/2073-445X/12/4/876

7. “Visualisation of High-Density City Research Evolution, Trends, and Outlook in the 21st Century”
by Muxia Yao, Bin Yao, Jeremy Cenci, Chenyang Liao and Jiazhen Zhang
Land 2023, 12(2), 485; https://doi.org/10.3390/land12020485
Available online: https://www.mdpi.com/2073-445X/12/2/485

8. “Challenges and Adaptations for Resilient Rice Production under Changing Environments in Bangladesh”
by Md Roushon Jamal, Paul Kristiansen, Md Jahangir Kabir and Lisa Lobry de Bruyn
Land 2023, 12(6), 1217; https://doi.org/10.3390/land12061217
Available online: https://www.mdpi.com/2073-445X/12/6/1217

9. “Multilayer Perceptron and Their Comparison with Two Nature-Inspired Hybrid Techniques of Biogeography-Based Optimization (BBO) and Backtracking Search Algorithm (BSA) for Assessment of Landslide Susceptibility”
by Hossein Moayedi, Peren Jerfi Canatalay, Atefeh Ahmadi Dehrashid, Mehmet Akif Cifci, Marjan Salari and Binh Nguyen Le
Land 2023, 12(1), 242; https://doi.org/10.3390/land12010242
Available online: https://www.mdpi.com/2073-445X/12/1/242

10. “Erosion and Sediment Transport Modeling: A Systematic Review”
by Tesfa Gebrie Andualem, Guna A. Hewa, Baden R. Myers, Stefan Peters and John Boland
Land 2023, 12(7), 1396; https://doi.org/10.3390/land12071396
Available online: https://www.mdpi.com/2073-445X/12/7/1396

We are delighted to announce that Issue 2, Volume 14 of Land (ISSN: 2073-445X), was released in February 2025. The following is a list of partial articles which we believe will be of interest to you.

Section: “Land Systems and Global Change”
“The Interplay Between Carbon Storage, Productivity, and Native Tree Density of Agroforestry Systems”
by Laurence Alexander, Sophie Manson, Vinni Jain, Made Setiawan, Made Dwi Sadnyana , Muhammad Syirazi, Zefanya Ajiningrat Wibowo, Desak Ketut Tristiana Sukmadewi and Marco Campera
Land 2025, 14(2), 344; https://doi.org/10.3390/land14020344
Available online: https://www.mdpi.com/2073-445X/14/2/344

Section: “Landscape Ecology”
“Connecting Natural and Planted Forests: New Ecological Functions in an Agricultural Landscape in Northern Spain”
by Javier Brazuelo Núñez, Carlos A. Rivas, Guillermo Palacios-Rodríguez and Rafael M. Navarro-Cerrillo
Land 2025, 14(2), 390; https://doi.org/10.3390/land14020390
Available online: https://www.mdpi.com/2073-445X/14/2/390

Section: “Land, Soil and Water”
“The Effects of Rainfall and Terracing–Mulch Combinations on Soil Erosion in a Loess Hilly Area, China: Insights from Plot Simulations and WEPP Modeling”
by Michael Aliyi Ame, Wei Wei, Shuming Zhang, Wen Liu and Liding Chen
Land 2025, 14(2), 432; https://doi.org/10.3390/land14020432
Available online: https://www.mdpi.com/2073-445X/14/2/432

Section: “Land Socio-Economic and Political Issues”
“Additionality in Theoretical von Thünenian Models of Deforestation and Conservation Payments”
by Thales A. P. West, Jill L. Caviglia-Harris and Philip Martin Fearnside
Land 2025, 14(2), 272; https://doi.org/10.3390/land14020272
Available online: https://www.mdpi.com/2073-445X/14/2/272

Section: “Urban Contexts and Urban-Rural Interactions”
“European Green Deal Strategies for Agriculture in Dynamic Urbanised Landscapes”
by Anne Gobin and Inge Uljee
Land 2025, 14(2), 424; https://doi.org/10.3390/land14020424
Available online: https://www.mdpi.com/2073-445X/14/2/424

Section: “Land–Climate Interactions”
“Long-Term Spatiotemporal Heterogeneity and Influencing Factors of Remotely Sensed Regional Heat Island Effect in the Central Yunnan Urban Agglomeration”
by Yunling He, Ning Pu, Xiaohua Zhang, Chunyan Wu and Wu Tang
Land 2025, 14(2), 232; https://doi.org/10.3390/land14020232
Available online: https://www.mdpi.com/2073-445X/14/2/232

Section: “Landscape Archaeology”
“Historical Roots of Heritage Horticulture in the Southern Coastal Plain of Israel”
by Motti Zohar, Yuval Ben-Bassat and Guy Bar-Oz
Land 2025, 14(2), 285; https://doi.org/10.3390/land14020285
Available online: https://www.mdpi.com/2073-445X/14/2/285

Section: “Land, Biodiversity, and Human Wellbeing”
“Land Degradation-Based Approach for Assessing the Performance of the Natura 2000 Network in Mainland Spain”
by Mario Mingarro, María E. Sanjuan, Alberto Ruiz-Rancaño and Gabriel del Barrio
Land 2025, 14(2), 279; https://doi.org/10.3390/land14020279
Available online: https://www.mdpi.com/2073-445X/14/2/279

Section: “Land Use, Impact Assessment and Sustainability”
“Study on Spatial-Temporal Evolution Law of Green Land Use Efficiency in Resource-Based Cities”
by Yuling Wu and Min Luo
Land 2025, 14(2), 360; https://doi.org/10.3390/land14020360
Available online: https://www.mdpi.com/2073-445X/14/2/360

Section: “Water, Energy, Land and Food (WELF) Nexus”
“Exploring Crop Production Strategies to Mitigate Greenhouse Gas Emissions Based on Scenario Analysis”
by Zhuoyuan Gu, Jing Xue, Hongfang Han and Chao Wang
Land 2025, 14(2), 256; https://doi.org/10.3390/land14020256
Available online: https://www.mdpi.com/2073-445X/14/2/256

Section: “Land – Observation and Monitoring”
“Geohazard Plugin: A QGIS Plugin for the Preliminary Analysis of Landslides at Medium–Small Scale”
by Marta Castelli, Andrea Filipello, Claudio Fasciano, Giulia Torsello, Stefano Campus and Rocco Pispico
Land 2025, 14(2), 290; https://doi.org/10.3390/land14020290
Available online: https://www.mdpi.com/2073-445X/14/2/290

Section: “Land Planning and Landscape Architecture”
“A Typological Analysis Method for Rural Dwellings: Architectural Features, Historical Transformations, and Landscape Integration: The Case of “Capo Due Rami”, Italy”
by Stefano Bigiotti, Mariangela Ludovica Santarsiero, Anna Irene Del Monaco and Alvaro Marucci
Land 2025, 14(2), 374; https://doi.org/10.3390/land14020374
Available online: https://www.mdpi.com/2073-445X/14/2/374

General:
“Interchangeability of Cross-Platform Orthophotographic and LiDAR Data in DeepLabV3+-Based Land Cover Classification Method”
by Shijun Pan, Keisuke Yoshida, Satoshi Nishiyama, Takashi Kojima and Yutaro Hashimoto
Land 2025, 14(2), 217; https://doi.org/10.3390/land14020217
Available online: https://www.mdpi.com/2073-445X/14/2/217

“Revaluating CUNA Places (CUltural Place of High Relevance for NAture): Rome as a Multifaced Example of Outstanding Values and Potentials”
by Giulia Caneva, Zohreh Hosseini, Flavia Bartoli, Giulia Capotorti, Fabio Attorre and Carlo Blasi
Land 2025, 14(2), 226; https://doi.org/10.3390/land14020226
Available online: https://www.mdpi.com/2073-445X/14/2/226

“Climate Influences on Day and Overnight Use at California State Beaches and Coastal Parks”
by Jeffrey S. Jenkins, Terence G. Young, Alexander M. Petersen, Felber J. Arroyave and Maria E. Medina-Chavarría
Land 2025, 14(2), 324; https://doi.org/10.3390/land14020324
Available online: https://www.mdpi.com/2073-445X/14/2/324

Glaciers are among the most important components of the Earth’s cryosphere, serving as natural reservoirs of freshwater, regulators of sea levels, and indicators of climate variability. Their role in sustaining ecosystems and human societies is unparalleled, yet they are increasingly threatened by rising global temperatures.

The scientific evidence underscores the alarming rate of glacier retreat, with profound implications for water security, sea-level rise, and the frequency of climate-related hazards such as floods and landslides. The loss of these ice masses not only disrupts hydrological cycles but also poses significant challenges to communities and economies worldwide.

Date: 19 March 2025 at 9 a.m. CET | 3 a.m. EDT | 4 p.m. CST
Webinar ID: 851 1794 7801
Website: https://sciforum.net/event/WDFG2025

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 attend? Register anyway and we will let you know when the recording is available to watch online.

Register now for free!

Program:

Webinar Speakers:

• Dr. Abror Gafurov, GFZ German Research Centre for Geoscience, Telegrafenberg, 14473 Potsdam, Germany;
• Dr. Danilo Godone, Research Institute for Geo-Hydrological Protection, Torino, Italy.