Search for Articles:
Title / Keyword
Author / Affiliation / Email
Journal
Article Type
 
 
Advanced Search
 
Section
Special Issue
Volume
Issue
Number
Page
 
5.9
3.2
Journals
Land
Special Issues
Integrating Climate, Land, and Water Systems
share announcement

Integrating Climate, 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: 31 July 2025 | Viewed by 2853

Special Issue Editors

Dr. Krzysztof Raczynski

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Geosystems Research Institute, Mississippi State University, Starkville, MS 39759, USA
Interests: hydrology; water; modeling; GIS; geospatial analysis; climate change; extremes; geospatial frameworks; hydrometeorological processes; surface–atmosphere interactions; earth system modeling; hydrologic applications
Prof. Dr. Jamie Dyer

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Department of Geosciences, Mississippi State University, Starkville, MS 39762, USA
Interests: meteorology; climatology; hydrometeorological processes; surface–atmosphere interactions; earth system modeling; numerical weather and water prediction; surface imaging; uncrewed aerial systems; hydrologic applications
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals
Dr. Łukasz Chabudziński

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Faculty of Earth Sciences and Spatial Management, University of Maria Curie-Skłodowska, 20-718 Lublin, Poland
Interests: hydrology; water; modeling; hydrogeology; geomorphology; land use/land cover changes; temporal and spatial changes in water; climate change; GIS; geospatial analysis; geospatial frameworks
Dr. Katarzyna Baran-Gurgul

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Faculty of Environmental and Energy Engineering, Cracow University of Technology, 31-155 Cracow, Poland
Interests: applied statistics; hydrological time series; droughts; environmental modeling; statistical methods in hydrology; temporal and spatial variability; river hydrology; geospatial analysis; survey data analysis

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Advances in Earth system science highlight the significant connections between land, climate, and water systems, emphasizing their dynamic interactions and cascading effects on environmental change. These systems are inherently interconnected, and alterations in one domain often trigger consequences in another. For example, shifts in land use can change local climates and disrupt hydrological cycles; at the same time, climate variability can aggravate land degradation and intensify water stress. Despite growing recognition of these interdependencies, major knowledge gaps still exist, particularly on regional and global levels. These gaps hinder the development of sustainable solutions that find a compromise between environmental preservation, economic growth, and societal requirements. A deeper understanding of the inter-relations between land, water resources, and climate is essential for a sustainable future as global populations increase and climatic impacts become more severe. Innovations in geospatial technologies and data analytics provide novel opportunities to map, track, and model such complex systems, supporting evidence-based decision-making to enhance sustainability and resilience.

The goal of this Special Issue is to gather original research articles and review papers that explore the interconnections between land, climate, and water systems across spatial and temporal scales, offering insights to advance sustainability and resilience goals.

This Special Issue welcomes manuscripts that link the following themes:

  • Land Use and Land Cover Dynamics: to explore how changes in land use and cover influence climate, water resources, and ecosystem services.
  • Climate–Land–Water Interactions: to investigate the relationships between climatic processes, land systems, and water cycles.
  • Sustainability and Resilience Strategies: to develop approaches to balance environmental conservation, resource management, and societal needs across land–climate–water systems.
  • Geospatial Tools and Data Analytics: to apply innovative technologies to monitor, map, and model integrated land, climate, and water systems.

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

Dr. Krzysztof Raczynski
Prof. Dr. Jamie Dyer
Dr. Łukasz Chabudziński
Dr. Katarzyna Baran-Gurgul
Guest Editors

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

  • land
  • climate
  • water
  • integration
  • system interconnections
  • system dynamics
  • geospatial frameworks
  • interdependencies
  • resilience
  • sustainability

Benefits of Publishing in a Special Issue

  • Ease of navigation: Grouping papers by topic helps scholars navigate broad scope journals more efficiently.
  • Greater discoverability: Special Issues support the reach and impact of scientific research. Articles in Special Issues are more discoverable and cited more frequently.
  • Expansion of research network: Special Issues facilitate connections among authors, fostering scientific collaborations.
  • External promotion: Articles in Special Issues are often promoted through the journal's social media, increasing their visibility.
  • Reprint: MDPI Books provides the opportunity to republish successful Special Issues in book format, both online and in print.

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

Published Papers (3 papers)

Download All Papers
Order results
Result details
Show export options expand_more Show export options expand_less
Select all
Export citation of selected articles as:

Research

18 pages, 2395 KiB  
Article
Unveiling the Synergies and Conflicts Between Vegetation Dynamic and Water Resources in China’s Yellow River Basin
by Zuqiao Gao and Xiaolei Ju
Land 2025, 14(7), 1396; https://doi.org/10.3390/land14071396 - 3 Jul 2025
Viewed by 251
Abstract
Understanding the relationship between regional vegetation dynamics and water resources is essential for improving integrated vegetation–water management, enhancing ecosystem services, and advancing the sustainable development of ecological–economic–social systems. As China’s second largest river basin, the Yellow River Basin (YRB) is ecologically fragile and [...] Read more.
Understanding the relationship between regional vegetation dynamics and water resources is essential for improving integrated vegetation–water management, enhancing ecosystem services, and advancing the sustainable development of ecological–economic–social systems. As China’s second largest river basin, the Yellow River Basin (YRB) is ecologically fragile and experiences severe water scarcity. Vegetation changes further intensify conflicts between water supply and demand. To investigate the evolution and interaction mechanisms between vegetation and water resources in the YRB, this study uses the InVEST model to simulate annual water yield (Wyield) from 1982 to 2020 and applies the Dimidiate Pixel Model (DPM) to estimate fractional vegetation cover (FVC). The Theil–Sen method is applied to quantify the spatiotemporal trends of Wyield and FVC. A pixel-based second-order partial correlation analysis is performed to clarify the intrinsic relationship between FVC and Wyield at the grid scale. The main conclusions are as follows: (1) During the statistical period (1982–2020), the multi-year average annual Wyield in the YRB was 73.15 mm. Interannual Wyield showed a clear fluctuating trend, with an initial decline followed by a subsequent increase. Wyield showed marked spatial heterogeneity, with high values in the southern upper reaches and low values in the Longzhong Loess Plateau and Hetao Plain. During the same period, about 68.74% of the basin experienced increasing Wyield, while declines were concentrated in the upper reaches. (2) The average FVC across the basin was 0.51, showing a significant increasing trend during the statistical period. The long-term average FVC showed significant spatial heterogeneity, with high values in the Fenwei Plain, Shanxi Basin, and Taihang Mountains, and low values in the Loess Plateau and Hetao Plain. Spatially, 68.74% of the basin exhibited significant increases in FVC, mainly in the middle and lower reaches, while decreases were mostly in the upper reaches. (3) Areas with significant FVC–Wyield correlations covered a small portion of the basin: trade-off regions made up 10.35% (mainly in the southern upper reaches), and synergistic areas accounted for 5.26% (mostly in the Hetao Plain and central Loess Plateau), both dominated by grasslands and croplands. Mechanistic analysis revealed spatiotemporal heterogeneity in FVC–Wyield relationships across the basin, influenced by both natural drivers and anthropogenic activities. This study systematically explores the patterns and interaction mechanisms of FVC and Wyield in the YRB, offering a theoretical basis for regional water management, ecological protection, and sustainable development. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Integrating Climate, Land, and Water Systems)
►▼ Show Figures

Figure 1

17 pages, 2583 KiB  
Article
A Survey Analysis Comparing Perceptions of Plastic Use in Nurseries and Greenhouses in the United States
by Alexa J. Lamm, James S. Owen, Jr., James Altland and Sarah A. White
Land 2025, 14(7), 1383; https://doi.org/10.3390/land14071383 - 1 Jul 2025
Viewed by 334
Abstract
Plastic is extensively used in nursery and greenhouse operations. Concerns are growing about the potential release of plastic byproducts, such as microplastics and per- and poly-fluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), into water resources. The purpose of this study was to (1) compare perceptions of plastic [...] Read more.
Plastic is extensively used in nursery and greenhouse operations. Concerns are growing about the potential release of plastic byproducts, such as microplastics and per- and poly-fluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), into water resources. The purpose of this study was to (1) compare perceptions of plastic use and water quality impacts between scientists researching water contaminants and nursery/greenhouse growers, (2) identify barriers to growers reducing plastic use, and (3) explore preferred communication channels for scientists to inform growers about emerging research. An online survey was administered to collect data from scientists in a USDA-funded multi-state Hatch project (N = 20) and nursery/greenhouse growers (N = 66) across the United States. The findings indicated both groups were unsure of the impacts of plastic use. While most respondents perceived surface water pollution as a critical issue, neither scientists nor growers strongly agreed on-farm plastic use poses a significant threat. Both groups recognized the importance of regular water testing, but few believed mandatory changes to plastic use should be enacted without further evidence. Growers cited limited equipment, financial constraints, and uncertain availability of viable plastic alternatives as key barriers. Despite these barriers, growers were willing to learn more, primarily through online resources, short courses, and workshops. The findings underscore the need for targeted research that quantifies plastic byproducts in nursery/greenhouse water and identifies cost-effective alternatives. Timely dissemination of scientific findings using trusted sources will be critical to bridge knowledge gaps and support adoption of best practices to safeguard water quality in surface and groundwater. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Integrating Climate, Land, and Water Systems)
►▼ Show Figures

Figure 1

24 pages, 16617 KiB  
Article
Spatiotemporal Land Cover Change and Future Hydrological Impacts Under Climate Scenarios in the Amazonian Andes: A Case Study of the Utcubamba River Basin
by Abner S. Rivera-Fernandez, Alexander Cotrina-Sanchez, Rolando Salas López, Jhon A. Zabaleta-Santisteban, Ney Rios, Angel J. Medina-Medina, Katerin M. Tuesta-Trauco, José A. Sánchez-Vega, Teodoro B. Silva-Melendez, Manuel Oliva-Cruz, Cecibel Portocarrero and Elgar Barboza
Land 2025, 14(6), 1234; https://doi.org/10.3390/land14061234 - 7 Jun 2025
Viewed by 1581
Abstract
Understanding how land use and climate change jointly affect water availability is essential for sustainable planning in tropical Andean–Amazonian basins. This study focuses on the Utcubamba River Basin in northeastern Peru, a data-scarce and socioecologically strategic watershed where land transformation and climate variability [...] Read more.
Understanding how land use and climate change jointly affect water availability is essential for sustainable planning in tropical Andean–Amazonian basins. This study focuses on the Utcubamba River Basin in northeastern Peru, a data-scarce and socioecologically strategic watershed where land transformation and climate variability converge. A multi-temporal land use/land cover (LULC) analysis (1990–2024) was conducted, coupled with hydrological modeling using the SWAT model under historical and future climate scenarios (SSP2–4.5 and SSP5–8.5), including the spatial overlay of the LULC change concentration with key hydrological indicators. LULC classifications revealed forest loss and the expansion of pasture, agriculture, and shrubland areas, particularly in the upper basin. Hydrological projections showed significant changes in water flow, including reductions in minimum monthly flows by up to 73.9% and increases in peak flows by 14.8% under the SSP5–8.5 scenario. The water balance is expected to shift, with increased percolation and reduced lateral flow, suggesting decreased storage capacity. By identifying critical sub-basins where land degradation and water insecurity converge, the study supports adaptive strategies for land restoration, aquifer recharge planning, and ecosystem conservation. Despite limited hydrological infrastructure, the SWAT model effectively simulated water dynamics, aiding climate resilience and water security efforts in the Amazonian Andes. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Integrating Climate, Land, and Water Systems)
►▼ Show Figures

Figure 1

Show export options expand_more Show export options expand_less
Select all
Export citation of selected articles as:
 
Displaying articles 1-3
Back to TopTop