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Land
Special Issues
Impact of Climate Change on Land and Water Systems
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Impact of Climate Change on Land and Water Systems

A special issue of Land (ISSN 2073-445X). This special issue belongs to the section "Land–Climate Interactions".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (15 April 2025) | Viewed by 9262

Special Issue Editor

Dr. Afshin Ghahramani

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Guest Editor
Queensland Government Department of Environment, Science and Innovation, Brisbane, QLD, Australia
Interests: hydrology; soil erosion; landform evolution; mine rehabilitation; modeling

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

(1) Introduction, including scientific background and highlighting the importance of this research area.

As the global climate continues to change, we are witnessing profound alterations in the Earth's land and water systems. This Special Issue delves into these ramifications, with an explicit focus on hydrology and soil processes, such as water harvest, greenhouse gas emissions, soil moisture, soil carbon, soil erosion, and their monitoring, modeling (process-based, statistical, AI), and management. Increases in global GHG emissions are affecting global temperatures (IPCC, 2014a), the water cycle, and elevating CO2. Due to changes in the global climate, with associated increases in the return period, size, and duration of extreme high-temperature events, subsequent heat stresses are predicted (and are already happening) to occur, along with changes in rainfall and rainfall extremes (IPCC, 2014a). All these changes cause an increasing water scarcity across the globe (Gosling and Arnell, 2016). At a landscape scale, these changes impact the biophysical process and alter water–soil–plant–animal interactions (Ghahramani and Bowran, 2018), soil moisture dynamics (Holsten et al., 2009), and soil degradation (Klik and Eitzinger, 2010), all affecting the productivity and quality of agricultural production and consequently food security at a larger regional and global scale (Wheeler et al., 2013).

The impending repercussions of these amplified processes are multi-fold. For example, they include the increased frequency/magnitude of extreme events, loss of fertile topsoil, reduced agricultural productivity, alteration of aquatic ecosystems, and increased risk of erosion.

This Special Issue brings together research exploring these topics, attempting to deepen our understanding of the interactions between climate change and land and water systems. We aim to foster dialogue on exploring impacts and proactive adaptation strategies and innovative mitigation approaches, driving toward the sustainable management of our increasingly vulnerable environments under a changing climate. Through broad collaboration and knowledge sharing, we strive to prepare ourselves for the evolving challenges of climate change.

(2) Aim of the Special Issue and how the subject relates to the journal scope.

The goal of this Special Issue is to collect papers (original research articles and review papers) which provide insights into the impact of climate change on land and water at different scales, preferably with a systemic approach. This will cover (but is not limited to) the application of modeling in water and climate change (process-based, statistical, AI), water harvest, flood, GHG emissions, soil moisture, soil carbon, soil health, and soil erosion, as well as their monitoring, modeling, and management.

(3) Suggested themes and article types for submissions.

This Special Issue will welcome manuscripts that link the following themes:

  • Climate change: impact, adaptation, mitigation, GHG emissions;
  • AI application in climate change and water sciences;
  • Surface hydrology: water harvest, irrigation, flood affected by climate change;
  • Soil health, e.g., carbon, moisture affected by climate change;
  • Soil erosion affected by climate change, hillslope erosion, gully, stream bank, sediment disasters, e.g., mudflow, debris flow.

We look forward to receiving your original research articles and reviews.

Dr. Afshin Ghahramani
Guest Editor

Manuscript Submission Information

Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 100 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for announcement on this website.

Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Land is an international peer-reviewed open access monthly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 2600 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

Keywords

  • climate change impact
  • water
  • climate change adaptation
  • soil
  • hydrology
  • erosion
  • landscape

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Further information on MDPI's Special Issue policies can be found here.

Published Papers (6 papers)

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Research

32 pages, 6159 KiB  
Article
Geotechnical Aspects of N(H)bSs for Enhancing Sub-Alpine Mountain Climate Resilience
by Tamara Bračko, Primož Jelušič and Bojan Žlender
Land 2025, 14(3), 512; https://doi.org/10.3390/land14030512 - 28 Feb 2025
Viewed by 366
Abstract
Mountain resilience is the ability of mountain regions to endure, adapt to, and recover from environmental, climatic, and anthropogenic stressors. Due to their steep topography, extreme weather conditions, and unique biodiversity, these areas are particularly vulnerable to climate change, natural hazards, and human [...] Read more.
Mountain resilience is the ability of mountain regions to endure, adapt to, and recover from environmental, climatic, and anthropogenic stressors. Due to their steep topography, extreme weather conditions, and unique biodiversity, these areas are particularly vulnerable to climate change, natural hazards, and human activities. This paper examines how nature-based solutions (NbSs) can strengthen slope stability and geotechnical resilience, with a specific focus on Slovenia’s sub-Alpine regions as a case study representative of the Alps and similar mountain landscapes worldwide. The proposed Climate-Adaptive Resilience Evaluation (CARE) concept integrates geomechanical analysis with geotechnical planning, addressing the impacts of climate change through a systematic causal chain that connects climate hazards, their effects, and resulting consequences. Key factors such as water infiltration, soil permeability, and groundwater dynamics are identified as critical elements in designing timely and effective NbSs. In scenarios where natural solutions alone may be insufficient, hybrid solutions (HbSs) that combine nature-based and conventional engineering methods are highlighted as essential for managing unstable slopes and restoring collapsed geostructures. The paper provides practical examples, including slope stability analyses and reforestation initiatives, to illustrate how to use the CARE concept and how NbSs can mitigate geotechnical risks and promote sustainability. By aligning these approaches with regulatory frameworks and climate adaptation objectives, it underscores the potential for integrating NbSs and HbSs into comprehensive, long-term geotechnical strategies for enhancing mountain resilience. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Impact of Climate Change on Land and Water Systems)
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23 pages, 13386 KiB  
Article
Climate and Permafrost Shifts in Yakutia’s Arctic and Subarctic from 1965 to 2023
by Alexander N. Fedorov, Pavel Y. Konstantinov, Nikolay F. Vasilyev, Stepan P. Varlamov, Yuri B. Skachkov, Alexey N. Gorokhov, Svetlana V. Kalinicheva, Rosaliya N. Ivanova, Alexandra N. Petrova, Varvara V. Andreeva, Varvara A. Novopriezzhaya, Maxim A. Sivtsev and Mikhail N. Zheleznyak
Land 2024, 13(12), 2150; https://doi.org/10.3390/land13122150 - 10 Dec 2024
Viewed by 1205
Abstract
By analyzing the last 50–60 years of climate changes in Arctic and Subarctic Yakutia, we have identified three distinct periods of climate development. The cold (1965–1987), pre-warming (1988–2004), and modern warming (2005–2023) periods are clearly identifiable. Yakutia’s Arctic and Subarctic regions have experienced [...] Read more.
By analyzing the last 50–60 years of climate changes in Arctic and Subarctic Yakutia, we have identified three distinct periods of climate development. The cold (1965–1987), pre-warming (1988–2004), and modern warming (2005–2023) periods are clearly identifiable. Yakutia’s Arctic and Subarctic regions have experienced mean annual air temperature increases of 2.5 °C and 2.2 °C, respectively, compared to the cold period. The thawing index rose by an average of 171–214 °C-days, while the freezing index dropped by an average of 564–702 °C-days. During the pre-warming period, all three characteristics show a minor increase in warmth. Global warming intensified between 2005 and 2023, resulting in elevated permafrost temperatures and a deeper active layer. Monitoring data from the Tiksi site show that warming has been increasing at different depths since the mid-2000s. As a result, the permafrost temperature increased by 1.7 °C at a depth of 10 m and by 1.1 °C at a depth of 30 m. Soil temperature measurements at meteorological stations and observations at CALM sites both confirm the warming of the permafrost. A permafrost–climatic zoning study was conducted in Arctic and Subarctic Yakutia. Analysis identified seven regions characterized by similar responses to modern global warming. These study results form the foundation for future research on global warming’s effects on permafrost and on how northern Yakutia’s environment and economy adapt to the changing climate. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Impact of Climate Change on Land and Water Systems)
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15 pages, 3570 KiB  
Article
Dynamics of the Interaction between Freeze–Thaw Process and Surface Energy Budget on the Permafrost Region of the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau
by Junjie Ma, Ren Li, Tonghua Wu, Hongchao Liu, Xiaodong Wu, Guojie Hu, Wenhao Liu, Shenning Wang, Yao Xiao, Shengfeng Tang, Jianzong Shi and Yongping Qiao
Land 2024, 13(10), 1609; https://doi.org/10.3390/land13101609 - 3 Oct 2024
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1185
Abstract
Exploring the complex relationship between the freeze–thaw cycle and the surface energy budget (SEB) is crucial for deepening our comprehension of climate change. Drawing upon extensive field monitoring data of the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau, this study examines how surface energy accumulation influences the thawing [...] Read more.
Exploring the complex relationship between the freeze–thaw cycle and the surface energy budget (SEB) is crucial for deepening our comprehension of climate change. Drawing upon extensive field monitoring data of the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau, this study examines how surface energy accumulation influences the thawing depth. Combined with Community Land Model 5.0 (CLM5.0), a sensitivity test was designed to explore the interplay between the freeze–thaw cycle and the SEB. It is found that the freeze–thaw cycle process significantly alters the distribution of surface energy fluxes, intensifying energy exchange between the surface and atmosphere during phase transitions. In particular, an increase of 65.6% is observed in the ground heat flux during the freezing phase, which subsequently influences the sensible and latent heat fluxes. However, it should be noted that CLM5.0 has limitations in capturing the minor changes in soil moisture content and thermal conductivity during localized freezing events, resulting in an imprecise representation of the complex freeze–thaw dynamics in cold regions. Nevertheless, these results offer valuable insights and suggestions for improving the parameterization schemes of land surface models, enhancing the accuracy and applicability of remote sensing applications and climate research. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Impact of Climate Change on Land and Water Systems)
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29 pages, 41507 KiB  
Article
“It Will Be a Desert”: Extreme Weather and the Effects of Climate Catastrophe on Vulnerable Riparian Spaces in Nairobi, Kenya
by Olivia Howland
Land 2024, 13(7), 913; https://doi.org/10.3390/land13070913 - 23 Jun 2024
Viewed by 1633
Abstract
Urban riparian spaces are notoriously vulnerable, and pressure on water resources is growing. In the context of a fast-growing urban population and a lack of state-level structures and services to deal with water and sanitation, these spaces—including both land and water—are rapidly being [...] Read more.
Urban riparian spaces are notoriously vulnerable, and pressure on water resources is growing. In the context of a fast-growing urban population and a lack of state-level structures and services to deal with water and sanitation, these spaces—including both land and water—are rapidly being degraded. Ongata Rongai, a satellite town in the Nairobi Metropolitan Area, is one of these spaces. Traditional livelihoods exist cheek-by-jowl with modern life; livestock are watered at the rivers, lions frequent the riverbanks, large commercial farms extract water for crops, industrial factories release heavy metal contaminants into the rivers, and rapidly constructed poor-quality apartment blocks with no provision for human waste release untreated sewage and dump trash into the rivers. Compounding these anthropogenic impacts is that of climate change. Riparian spaces have become sites where humans and animals fight for access to water and riparian space, and rain becomes less reliable or frequent, yet at other times, these spaces experience flash flooding and catastrophic water levels leading to the destruction of land. This study explores the dynamics of a rapidly changing riparian environment which finds itself dominated by urbanity, under the increasing pressure of anthropogenic climate change using a One Health perspective. This study contributes much needed human voices to a growing body of literature led by indigenous Kenyan scholars, calling for urgent structural level action to conserve urban riparian zones for the benefit of human and non-human actors. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Impact of Climate Change on Land and Water Systems)
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18 pages, 13047 KiB  
Article
The Contribution of Saline-Alkali Land to the Terrestrial Carbon Stock Balance: The Case of an Important Agriculture and Ecological Region in Northeast China
by Lei Chang, Tianhang Ju, Huijia Liu and Yuefen Li
Land 2024, 13(7), 900; https://doi.org/10.3390/land13070900 - 21 Jun 2024
Cited by 2 | Viewed by 1605
Abstract
Saline-alkali land is an important component of terrestrial ecosystems and may serve as a carbon sink but its net contribution to the overall terrestrial carbon sink is unknown. Using methods recommended by the IPCC, this study evaluates the impacts of interconverting saline-alkali and [...] Read more.
Saline-alkali land is an important component of terrestrial ecosystems and may serve as a carbon sink but its net contribution to the overall terrestrial carbon sink is unknown. Using methods recommended by the IPCC, this study evaluates the impacts of interconverting saline-alkali and non-saline-alkali land on terrestrial carbon stocks by measuring two major carbon pools (soil organic carbon and vegetation carbon) in the saline-alkali land of China’s Songnen Plain. Distinct phases in the evolution of the region’s terrestrial carbon stock were delineated, factors contributing to transitions between phases were identified, and the effects of changes in the saline-alkali land carbon stock on the overall terrestrial carbon sink were estimated. Between 2005 and 2020, the region’s saline-alkali land carbon stock initially increased, then declined, and finally increased again. However, the overall terrestrial carbon stock decreased by 0.5 Tg (1 Tg = 1012 g), indicating that the increase in the saline-alkali land carbon stock was due primarily to expansion of the saline-alkali land area. The conversion of non-saline-alkali land to saline-alkali land was a carbon-emitting process; consequently, in areas undergoing saline-alkali land change, the lower carbon density bound was equal to the carbon density of unconverted saline-alkali land and the upper bound was equal to the carbon density of unconverted non-saline-alkali land. In general, changes in the carbon stock of saline-alkali land correlated negatively with changes in the overall terrestrial carbon stock. The conversion of saline-alkali land into grassland and cropland through biochar improvement and the planting of saline-tolerant crops (Leymus chinensis, salt-tolerant rice) has a positive effect on promoting the enhancement of terrestrial carbon stocks. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Impact of Climate Change on Land and Water Systems)
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24 pages, 30659 KiB  
Article
Land Cover Changes and Driving Factors in the Source Regions of the Yangtze and Yellow Rivers over the Past 40 Years
by Xiuyan Zhang, Yuhui Yang, Haoyue Gao, Shu Xu, Jianming Feng and Tianling Qin
Land 2024, 13(2), 259; https://doi.org/10.3390/land13020259 - 19 Feb 2024
Cited by 5 | Viewed by 1696
Abstract
As a climate-sensitive region of the Tibetan Plateau, the source regions of the Yangtze and Yellow Rivers (SRYYRs) urgently require an analysis of land cover change (LUCCs) over a long period, high temporal resolution, and high spatial resolution. This study utilizes nearly 40 [...] Read more.
As a climate-sensitive region of the Tibetan Plateau, the source regions of the Yangtze and Yellow Rivers (SRYYRs) urgently require an analysis of land cover change (LUCCs) over a long period, high temporal resolution, and high spatial resolution. This study utilizes nearly 40 years of land cover, the Normalized Difference Vegetation Index (NDVI), climate, and geomorphological data, applying methods including a land transfer matrix, slope trend analysis, correlation analysis, and landscape pattern indices to analyze the spatial and temporal changes, composition, layout, and quality of the local land cover and the factors. The findings reveal that (1) the land cover area change rate was 8.96% over the past 40 years, the unutilized land area decreased by 24.49%, and the grassland area increased by 6.37%. The changes were obvious at the junction of the two source regions and the southeast side of the source region of the Yellow River. (2) the landscape pattern was more centralized and diversified. The number of low-cover grassland patches increased by 12.92%. (3) The region is still dominated by medium- and low-cover vegetation, with the mean annual NDVI increasing at a rate of 0.006/10a, and the rate of change after 2000 is three times higher than previously. (4) The degree of land cover change is greater in the middle altitudes, semisunny aspects, steepest slopes, and middle-relief mountains. Additionally, 76.8% of the region’s vegetation growth is dominated by mean annual temperatures. This study provides fundamental data and theory for understanding LUCCs and the driving factors in alpine plateau regions. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Impact of Climate Change on Land and Water Systems)
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