Announcements

We cordially invite you to attend the 10th International Electronic Conference on Water Sciences organized by MDPI Water (ISSN: 2073-4441; IF 3.5). It will take place virtually from 24 to 27 November 2026. 

Conference Chairs:

• Prof. Dr. Athanasios Loukas, Department of Rural and Surveying Engineering, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Greece;
• Prof. Dr. Yijun Xu, School of Renewable Natural Resources, Louisiana State University, USA.

The Topics of Interest include the following:
S1. Hydrological/Hydraulic Processes and Modelling;
S2. Urban Water Modelling and Management;
S3. Rivers and Lakes—Water Quality, Nutrient Enrichment, and Pollutant Transport;
S4. Water Resources Management, Policy, and Governance;
S5. Extreme Hydrometeorological Events: Sources, Mitigation, and Adaptation;
S6. Ecohydrological Approaches and Ecosystems Conservancy—Water–Food–Energy Ecosystem Nexus;
S7. Remote Sensing, Artificial Intelligence, and New Technologies in Water Sciences;
S8. Wastewater Treatment and Reuse;
S9. Agricultural Water Systems;
S10. Groundwater Systems Modelling, Analysis, and Vulnerability—Quantity and Quality Issues.

Important dates:
Abstract submission deadline: 11 September 2026;
Abstract acceptance notification: 2 October 2026;
Early bird registration deadline: 30 October 2026;
Covering author registration deadline: 30 October 2026;
Registration deadline: 18 November 2026.

Guide for authors:
To submit your abstract, please click on the following link: https://sciforum.net/user/submission/create/1797.

To register for the event, please click on the following link:
https://sciforum.net/event/ECWS-10?section=#registration.

For details regarding abstract submission, poster and slide submission, and publication opportunities, you may refer to the “Instructions for Authors” section: https://sciforum.net/event/ECWS-10?section=#instructions.

For any enquiries regarding the event, please contact ecws@mdpi.com.

We look forward to seeing you at the 10th International Electronic Conference on Water Sciences.

Water (ISSN 2073-4441) is proud to confer the Best PhD Thesis Award upon Dr. Zhenyao Wang.

Dr. Wang received his PhD from the University of Technology Sydney. His research interests focus on waste and biomass valorization, advanced wastewater treatment, machine learning-assisted process optimization, and environmental sustainability assessment.

1. Congratulations on winning the Water Best PhD Thesis Award! Could you start by briefly introducing yourself and elaborating on your doctoral research topic?

Hello everyone, my name is Zhenyao Wang. I received my PhD from the University of Technology Sydney, Australia, and I currently work at the Department of Environmental Science and Engineering at Macau University of Science and Technology. My research mainly focuses on waste and biomass valorization, advanced wastewater treatment, machine learning-assisted process optimization, and environmental sustainability assessment.

My PhD research was titled “Advancing Sludge Management for Sustainability through Lignosulfonate.” The basic idea was to use lignosulfonate, a by-product from the pulp and paper industry, to improve sewage sludge treatment. It can promote sludge hydrolysis and organic matter release, which creates more opportunities for energy and resource recovery. We also found that the digested sludge had the potential to promote plant growth, making its land application more promising.

2. How did you first learn about the Water Best PhD Thesis Award, and what value do you believe such academic awards bring to early-career researchers?

I first heard about the award from one of my colleagues, who encouraged me to apply. As an early career researcher, this award means a lot to me. I see it as both a recognition of what I achieved during my PhD and an encouragement for what comes next. It gives me more confidence and motivation to continue developing my research and exploring new ideas. I think this kind of recognition is especially meaningful for young researchers because it reminds us that the work we are doing is valued and encourages us to keep moving forward.

3. How do you feel about receiving this prestigious recognition for your doctoral work? As this year’s award recipient, and are there any people you would like to thank or any feelings you wish to share?

I feel very honored and grateful to receive this award. I am sincerely grateful to everyone who supported, guided, and helped me throughout my PhD journey. I am also especially thankful to my parents and family for their constant support, understanding, and encouragement.

I would also like to thank Water and the award committee for this recognition. For me, this award is not only a recognition of my PhD work, but also a great motivation to keep moving forward and continue pursuing meaningful research.

4. During your PhD research, what was the most significant challenge you encountered, and what approaches did you take to overcome it?

I think one of the biggest challenges was moving into a completely new research area. Before my PhD, I mainly worked on microalgae, so many things were new to me. For example, I had never used a BMP system before. So I contacted the manufacturer and spoke with their engineers several times by phone and email. After a lot of troubleshooting and practice, I eventually became comfortable using it independently. I think this experience taught me to be proactive and always try to find a solution when I face a new problem.

5. Looking back on your entire doctoral journey, which experience or moment left the deepest impression on you, and why?

I think what impressed me most was the guidance I received from my supervisors. They taught me how to write, revise, and submit research papers, but more importantly, they trained me to think scientifically and systematically. This gradually changed the way I approach research problems and helped me become a more independent researcher. I think that is one of the most valuable things I gained from my PhD journey.

6. If you were to summarize your precious PhD journey in one sentence, what would it be?

If I had to summarize my PhD journey in one sentence, I would say: “Where there is a will, there is a way”. There were many challenges along the way, but I believe that with determination and persistence, we can always find a way forward.

7. How do you plan to build on and further advance your existing research in the future? What are your long-term academic and career goals?

Looking ahead, I would like to continue working in biomass and waste valorization and explore better ways to recover energy and valuable resources from waste. I also hope to integrate machine learning and sustainability assessment into my research to make these processes more efficient and practical. In the long term, I hope to keep doing meaningful research, train young researchers, and make a real contribution to environmental sustainability.

8. Based on your rich doctoral experience, what valuable suggestions would you offer to current PhD students who are pursuing their academic studies?

I think facing challenges during a PhD is completely normal. My advice is to have the courage to face them and the persistence to overcome them. Do not be afraid of difficulties or failure. Keep exploring, keep learning, and keep moving forward. As long as you stay determined and never give up, I believe your efforts will eventually pay off.

We would like to extend our sincere gratitude to Dr. Zhenyao Wang for accepting our interview invitation and sharing insights into his PhD journey. We wish him every success in his future research endeavors.

The 2026 International Day of Caves and Karst, celebrated on 13 September, highlights the hidden yet indispensable role of underground landscapes in sustaining life on Earth. With the theme “Explore, Understand and Protect: Towards Sustainable Management of Caves and Karst”, this year’s observance emphasizes how karst systems and cave environments—functioning as natural reservoirs, biodiversity hotspots, and climate archives—offer nature-based solutions to pressing global challenges. By revealing the intricate connections between surface and subsurface ecosystems, caves continue to deepen our understanding of Earth’s history and resilience. Journals published by MDPI support this mission by providing platforms for advancing research that explores the complexity and fragility of these subterranean realms.

MDPI invites researchers and readers to engage with open access journals, Special Issues, and collaborative platforms dedicated to advancing cave and karst science. Discover freely accessible studies spanning from speleogenesis and hydrogeology to subterranean ecology and heritage conservation, participate in global discussions through interdisciplinary forums, and contribute to open science efforts that bridge above‑ground and below‑ground perspectives. Together, let us embrace the mystery and significance of the underground to spark new dialogue, empower collective stewardship, and illuminate pathways toward a more sustainable coexistence with the hidden half of our planet.

“Challenges in the Detection of Water-Filled Cavities in Karst Environments Using Electrical Resistivity Tomography”
by Sergio Negri and Dora Francesca Barbolla
Geosciences 2025, 15(9), 349; https://doi.org/10.3390/geosciences15090349

“Microclimate Variability in a Highly Dynamic Karstic System”
by Diego Gil, Mario Sánchez-Gómez and Joaquín Tovar-Pescador
Geosciences 2025, 15(8), 280; https://doi.org/10.3390/geosciences15080280

“Aeolian Landscapes and Paleoclimatic Legacy in the Southern Chacopampean Plain, Argentina”
by Enrique Fucks, Yamile Rico, Luciano Galone, Malena Lorente, Sebastiano D’Amico and María Florencia Pisano
Geographies 2025, 5(3), 33; https://doi.org/10.3390/geographies5030033

“Spatiotemporal Evolution and Driving Factors of Karst Rocky Desertification in Guangxi, China, Under Climate Change and Human Activities”
by Jialei Su, Meiling Liu, Qin Yang, Xiangnan Liu, Zeyan Wu and Yanan Wen
Remote Sens. 2025, 17(13), 2294; https://doi.org/10.3390/rs17132294

“Detection of Sedimentary Basins and Karstic Faults in the Yucatán Peninsula by Gravity Inversion and Euler Deconvolution”
by José Carlos Ortiz-Alemán, Mauricio Nava-Flores, Jaime Humberto Urrutia-Fucugauchi, Sebastián Ortiz-Aguilar, Mauricio Gabriel Orozco-del-Castillo and Sebastian López-Juárez
Earth 2025, 6(2), 42; https://doi.org/10.3390/earth6020042

“Reassessing the Global Significance of Geological Heritage in the Miné-Akiyoshidai Karst Plateau Aspiring UNESCO Global Geopark”
by Koji Wakita, Hokuto Obara, Nozomu Oyama and Takashi Murakami
Geosciences 2025, 15(2), 56; https://doi.org/10.3390/geosciences15020056

“Matese Mts. and Caserta District Karst Bauxites (Campania Region, Southern Italy): Insights on Geochemistry, Paleoclimate, Paleoenvironment, and Parental Affinity”
by Roberto Buccione and Giovanni Mongelli
Minerals 2024, 14(12), 1253; https://doi.org/10.3390/min14121253

“Hydrothermal Karstification of the Pre-Messinian Eonile Canyon: Geomorphological and Geochemical Evidences for Hypogene Speleogenesis in the Middle Nile Valley of Egypt”
by Ashraf A. Mostafa, Hatem M. El-Desoky, Diaa A. Saadawi, Ahmed M. Abdel-Rahman, John Webb, Hassan Alzahrani, Fahad Alshehri, Abdurraouf Okok, Ahmed E. Khalil and Eman A. Marghani
Minerals 2024, 14(9), 946; https://doi.org/10.3390/min14090946

“A New Species of Spelaeometra Polhemus & Ferreira, 2018 (Hemiptera: Heteroptera: Hydrometridae) from a Hotspot of Troglobites in Brazil, Serra do Ramalho Karst Area”
by Isabelle R. S. Cordeiro, Maria Elina Bichuette and Felipe F. F. Moreira
Animals 2023, 13(20), 3199; https://doi.org/10.3390/ani13203199

“Winter Dietary Analysis Reveals the Foraging Differences of Wild Boar (Sus scrofa) in Different Regions of a Karst Mountainous Area”
by Heqin Cao, Xiongwei Yang, Caichun Peng, Yeying Wang, Qunyi Guo and Haijun Su
Animals 2023, 13(4), 727; https://doi.org/10.3390/ani13040727

“Illuminating the Void: Advances in Geophysical Imaging of Caves and Karst Systems” Guest Editors: Prof. Dr. John McBride and Prof. Dr. Scott Ritter Submission deadline: 1 December 2026	“Cave Life: Creatures That Lurk in the Shadows” Guest Editors: Dr. Jonas Eduardo Gallão and Dr. Maria Elina Bichuette Submission deadline: 31 March 2027

MDPI will be attending the IWA World Water Congress & Exhibition 2026 to be held in Glasgow, UK, from 4 to 8 October 2026. As the global event for water professionals, the Congress brings together experts and stakeholders from across the full water cycle, providing a leading international platform for knowledge exchange, innovation, collaboration, and discussion on the future of water management.

The Congress attracts thousands of leading professionals, researchers, policymakers, companies, and organizations from across the water sector and beyond. It provides an opportunity to explore how pioneering research, technological innovation, and leading practices can contribute to more sustainable, resilient, and efficient water systems.

The key technical program themes include the following:

• Water Utility Management;
• Wastewater and Resource Recovery;
• Drinking Water and Potable Reuse;
• City-scale Planning & Operations;
• Communities, Communication, & Partnership;
• Water Resources & Sustainable Development.

The following MDPI journals will be represented at the conference:

• Resources;
• Water;
• Microplastics;
• JMSE;
• Limnological Review;
• Hydrology;
• Membranes;
• Environments;
• Sustainability;
• Pollutants;
• Biosphere;
• Toxics.

Water (ISSN 2073-4441) is proud to present the first prize of the Water Young Investigator Award to Dr. Xuan Li!

Dr. Li is an ARC DECRA fellow, Senior Lecturer, and Chancellor’s Research Fellow at the Centre for Technology in Water and Wastewater (CTWW) at UTS.

Dr. Li’s research focuses on sewer concrete corrosion, energy recovery, microalgae, biofuel, wastewater treatment, and wastewater-based epidemiology. Her research aims at (1) mitigating concrete corrosion in sewers; (2) enhancing the energy recovery from wastewater; (3) a wastewater-based early disease warning system; and (4) microalgae-based carbon-neutral wastewater treatment.

The following is a short Q&A with Dr. Li, who talked about her recent research and shared her views on her research area:

1. Could you briefly introduce yourself to the readers?
I am a Senior Lecturer at the University of Technology Sydney (UTS), Australia. My research sits at the intersection of environmental engineering, microbiology, and urban water systems. I am particularly interested in understanding how microorganisms and environmental conditions drive the deterioration of water infrastructure and in developing innovative technologies to make urban water systems more resilient and sustainable.
Over the past decade, I have worked across several aspects of the water cycle, including sewer corrosion and odour, wastewater-based epidemiology, resource recovery from wastewater sludge, and emerging approaches for protecting water infrastructure.

2. Could you introduce your current research direction and provide an update on your progress? What do you consider to be your most representative research achievement over the past few years?
My current research focuses on building resilient and sustainable urban water systems.
One major direction of my research is sewer corrosion. Conventional approaches often treat corrosion as a materials problem, but I have been investigating it as a coupled microbiological–chemical–materials process. This has led to the development of new strategies that target the biological processes responsible for corrosion rather than simply repairing the damage after it occurs.
At the same time, I am expanding this work toward wastewater resource recovery. For example, my research explores how wastewater sludge can be converted from a disposal challenge into a source of energy and valuable resources. I am also interested in wastewater-based epidemiology and how wastewater can provide population-level information that complements conventional public-health surveillance.
Over the past few years, I have been fortunate to build a growing research programme. I consider my most representative achievement to be developing a research program that connects fundamental microbiology with real-world water infrastructure problems. For me, the most rewarding aspect is seeing ideas move from laboratory observations toward technologies that could ultimately be useful to water utilities.

3. Which research topics are likely to receive special attention in the academic community in the coming years?
I think the water sector is entering a period where climate change, urbanisation, and emerging contaminants will increasingly intersect.
One important area will be the climate resilience of water systems. Climate change is not only changing water availability; it can also alter rainfall patterns, salinity, biological activity, and the chemical environment in water systems. In particular, for urban cities, an important challenge will be understanding how existing water and wastewater systems will perform under future environmental conditions to ensure reliable, safe, and sustainable water services for growing populations.

4. How do you view the application of artificial intelligence (AI) in your research field? In what ways do you think AI will transform scientific research in the future?
I see AI as a very powerful tool for accelerating scientific discovery, but not as a replacement for scientific understanding.
In water research, we generate increasingly large and complex datasets—from microbial sequencing and chemical measurements to sensor networks and infrastructure-monitoring data. AI can help us identify patterns that would be difficult to detect using conventional approaches. For example, it could help identify relationships between environmental conditions and microbial community dynamics or optimise water and wastewater treatment processes in real time.
However, I see AI as a tool that complements rather than replaces researchers. There are many aspects of scientific research, particularly fundamental experimental research, that still require researchers to design experiments, work in the laboratory, and make observations that may not be predictable from existing data. AI can identify patterns and generate hypotheses, but those hypotheses still need to be tested experimentally and interpreted within the broader scientific context.
I also think researchers will need to maintain a critical perspective when using AI. AI-generated information is not necessarily accurate or scientifically valid, and its outputs can reflect limitations or biases in the underlying data. Therefore, researchers will still need strong domain knowledge to evaluate AI-generated hypotheses, assess the quality of evidence, and determine whether the results are scientifically meaningful. Ultimately, I think the most powerful approach will be a combination of AI’s ability to process large amounts of information and researchers’ ability to ask meaningful questions, design experiments, and critically evaluate new knowledge.

5. What challenges have you encountered in your research, and how did you address them?
One of the biggest challenges in my research is translating scientific findings from controlled laboratory environments into practical solutions for real-world applications. In the laboratory, we can isolate individual processes and carefully control experimental conditions. However, real-world systems are much more complex, with biological, chemical, physical, environmental, and operational factors interacting simultaneously.
This means that demonstrating that a process or technology works under controlled conditions is only the first step. A much more important question is whether the same principles remain effective under realistic and changing conditions and whether they can be implemented reliably at a meaningful scale.
I have addressed this challenge by taking an interdisciplinary approach and working closely with researchers and industry partners. Combining different areas of expertise allows us to better understand the underlying mechanisms, while collaboration with industry and end users helps us assess whether our findings are relevant to real operational conditions.

6. How do you view the opportunities and challenges facing “young researchers” in today’s scientific community? Do you have any advice for aspiring young researchers looking to make a meaningful impact in their respective fields?
Young researchers today face a somewhat paradoxical situation. There are enormous opportunities to collaborate internationally, access advanced technologies, and work across disciplinary boundaries. At the same time, competition for funding, publications, and academic positions is intense.
Early in a career, it is tempting to follow every interesting opportunity. But over time, I think it is much more valuable to develop a research question or capability that people begin to associate with you. This does not mean restricting yourself to one narrow topic; rather, it means having a clear intellectual thread connecting your work.
I would also encourage young researchers to take risks. Some of my most interesting research directions emerged from questions that initially seemed outside my immediate research area. Interdisciplinary collaboration can be particularly valuable because important problems increasingly sit between traditional disciplines.

7. How did you learn about the MDPI Water Young Investigator Award? What does receiving this award mean to you personally? What suggestions do you have for this award?
I learned about the Water Young Investigator Award through the academic water-research community and MDPI’s activities in the field.
Receiving the award is a great honour. As an early-career researcher, recognition from an international journal is particularly encouraging because research can sometimes feel like a long-term process in which the impact of your work is not immediately visible.
I also appreciate that the award highlights the importance of supporting researchers who are developing new ideas and building independent research programmes. I am particularly grateful for the opportunity to use this recognition to share the importance and impact of our research with a broader audience and hopefully inspire the next generation to see science not just as a career but as a powerful way to address real-world challenges.
One suggestion I would have is to continue using the award to build connections among young researchers internationally. For example, activities such as early-career workshops, research forums, or opportunities for previous awardees to collaborate could create a community that extends beyond the award itself.

8. As the winner of this award, would you like to take a moment to share your thoughts with our readers or express gratitude to those who have played a significant role in your research accomplishments?
I am very grateful to receive this award. Research is never an individual achievement, and I have been extremely fortunate to work with talented students, collaborators, colleagues, and industry partners who have contributed to the development of my research.
I would like to thank my colleagues, mentors, and family for their support throughout my research career. I would particularly like to thank my research students. Much of the research that eventually becomes a publication or a technology begins with their curiosity, persistence, and willingness to tackle difficult experiments.
I am also grateful to my collaborators and industry partners, especially those who have allowed us to work on real-world water and wastewater challenges. Their perspectives have helped me understand that impactful research needs to go beyond demonstrating something in the laboratory—it needs to address problems that matter in practice.

The Section “Water Resources Management, Policy and Governance” publishes contributions on all aspects of water resource policy, planning, management, and governance.

We invite you to read the Editor’s Choice Papers in the Section “Water Resources Management, Policy and Governance”, a curated list of high-quality articles published in 2025. The list of selected papers can be viewed below:

Articles:
1. “Analysis of Key Influencing Factors of Water Quality in Tai Lake Basin Based on XGBoost-SHAP”
by Weiling Li, Menghua Deng, Chang Liu and Qing Cao
Water 2025, 17(11), 1619; https://doi.org/10.3390/w17111619
Available online: https://www.mdpi.com/2073-4441/17/11/1619

2. “The Role of ESG in Driving Sustainable Innovation in Water Sector: From Gaps to Governance”
by Gabriel Minea, Elena Simina Lakatos, Roxana Maria Druta, Alina Moldovan, Lucian Marius Lupu and Lucian Ionel Cioca
Water 2025, 17(15), 2259; https://doi.org/10.3390/w17152259
Available online: https://www.mdpi.com/2073-4441/17/15/2259

3. “Landslide-Induced Wave Run-Up Prediction Based on Large-Scale Geotechnical Experiment: A Case Study of Wangjiashan Landslide Area of Baihetan Reservoir, China”
by Lei Tian, Jie Lei, Pengchao Mao and Wei-Chau Xie
Water 2025, 17(3), 304; https://doi.org/10.3390/w17030304
Available online: https://www.mdpi.com/2073-4441/17/3/304

4. “Evolution and Mechanism of Intergovernmental Cooperation in Transboundary Water Governance: The Taihu Basin, China”
by Ganlin Xia and Cunkuan Bao
Water 2025, 17(11), 1582; https://doi.org/10.3390/w17111582
Available online: https://www.mdpi.com/2073-4441/17/11/1582

5. “Present and Future Energy Potential of Run-of-River Hydropower in Mainland Southeast Asia: Balancing Climate Change and Environmental Sustainability”
by Saman Maroufpoor and Xiaosheng Qin
Water 2025, 17(15), 2256; https://doi.org/10.3390/w17152256
Available online: https://www.mdpi.com/2073-4441/17/15/2256

6. “Water Vulnerability in Dhaka, Narayanganj, and Gazipur Districts of Bangladesh: The Role of Textile Dye Production”
by Kamille Hüttel Rasmussen, Martiwi Diah Setiawati and Kamol Gomes
Water 2025, 17(16), 2475; https://doi.org/10.3390/w17162475
Available online: https://www.mdpi.com/2073-4441/17/16/2475

7. “Sea-Level Rise and Saltwater Intrusion: Economic Estimates of Impacts of Nature-Based Mitigation Policies Under Uncertainty”
by Dat Q. Tran and Kieu N. Le
Water 2025, 17(9), 1355; https://doi.org/10.3390/w17091355
Available online: https://www.mdpi.com/2073-4441/17/9/1355

8. “Multi-Objective Model for Efficient, Equitable, and Sustainable Water Allocation Under Uncertainty: A Case Study of Namhan River Basin, South Korea”
by Flavia D. Frederick and Doosun Kang
Water 2025, 17(8), 1230; https://doi.org/10.3390/w17081230
Available online: https://www.mdpi.com/2073-4441/17/8/1230

9. “Accuracy Evaluation of a Wave Monitoring System by Testing the Hydraulic Performance of Portable Low-Cost Buoys”
by Susanne Scherbaum, Robin Härtl, Franziska Hübl, Philipp Berglez and Josef Schneider
Water 2025, 17(9), 1345; https://doi.org/10.3390/w17091345
Available online: https://www.mdpi.com/2073-4441/17/9/1345

10. “Implementing the One Water Concept in Greece: Evidence from Case Studies and Policy Pathways”
by Nektarios N. Kourgialas, Andreas N. Angelakis and George Tchobanoglous
Water 2025, 17(24), 3525; https://doi.org/10.3390/w17243525
Available online: https://www.mdpi.com/2073-4441/17/24/3525

11. “Groundwater Extraction Causes a Rapid Reduction in Spring Expression at Abercorn Springs in the Recharge Area of the Great Artesian Basin, Australia”
by Sharon Marshall and Andrew McDougall
Water 2025, 17(9), 1338; https://doi.org/10.3390/w17091338
Available online: https://www.mdpi.com/2073-4441/17/9/1338

12. “Assessing the Sensitivity of Sociotechnical Water Distribution Systems to Uncertainty in Consumer Behaviors: Social Distancing and Demand Changes During the COVID-19 Pandemic”
by Shimon Komarovsky, Brent Vizanko, Emily Berglund and Avi Ostfeld
Water 2025, 17(13), 1965; https://doi.org/10.3390/w17131965
Available online: https://www.mdpi.com/2073-4441/17/13/1965

13. “Spatial and Economic-Based Clustering of Greek Irrigation Water Organizations: A Data-Driven Framework for Sustainable Water Pricing and Policy Reform”
by Dimitrios Tsagkoudis, Eleni Zafeiriou and Konstantinos Spinthiropoulos
Water 2025, 17(15), 2242; https://doi.org/10.3390/w17152242
Available online: https://www.mdpi.com/2073-4441/17/15/2242

14. “Analysis of Application of Design Standards for Future Climate Change Adaptive Agricultural Reservoirs Using Cluster Analysis”
by Dong-Hyuk Joo, Ra Na, Hayoung Kim, Seung-Hwan Yoo and Sang-Hyun Lee
Water 2025, 17(24), 3463; https://doi.org/10.3390/w17243463
Available online: https://www.mdpi.com/2073-4441/17/24/3463

15. “Evaluating the Carbon and Water Footprints of Livestock Transportation in Japan”
by Hanwool Do, Makoto Taniguchi and Sang-Hyun Lee
Water 2025, 17(23), 3381; https://doi.org/10.3390/w17233381
Available online: https://www.mdpi.com/2073-4441/17/23/3381

Conference: 25th China Ecological Conference
Organization: Ecological Society of China
Date: 23–25 October 2026
Place: Kunming, China

Organized by the Ecological Society of China (ESC), the conference centers on the theme: “New Mission of Ecological Science: Serving Systematic Governance of Regional Eco-Environments”. The scientific program will cover four major areas: ecological theory, methodology and practical innovation; ecosystem functions, services and human well-being; ecological responses and restoration under global change; and ecology and sustainable development in the era of artificial intelligence.

The following MDPI journals will be represented:

• Diversity;
• Sustainability;
• Land;
• Limnological Review;
• Water;
• Earth.

If you attend this conference, please feel free to visit our booth. Our delegates look forward to meeting you in person and answering any questions that you may have.

Conference: The 5th Fisheries Ecology and Environment Conference
Date: 28-30 August 2026
Location: Weihai, China

MDPI will participate as an exhibitor at the 5th Fisheries Ecology and Environment Conference. We welcome researchers and professionals to visit our booth and engage with our team.

The theme of the 5th Fisheries Ecology and Environment Conference is “Wisdom in Fisheries Ecology, Building a Blue Granary Together”. In response to the latest research advances in the field, the conference will feature multiple topical discussion sessions. The formats for knowledge exchange include keynote presentations, invited talks, postgraduate forums, and poster presentations.

To facilitate interdisciplinary discussions among researchers from diverse fields and to explore multidisciplinary applications and new perspectives, MDPI is launching the following topic:

“Blue Granary and Blue Transformation: Intelligent Stewardship and Sustainable Development of Fisheries and Aquaculture Ecosystems”.

Closely aligned with the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and the FAO “Blue Transformation” strategy, this topic will present and disseminate the most recent advances in aquaculture and fisheries science that integrate smart ecological stewardship with sustainable production innovation. We consider contributions addressing the nexus of aquatic ecosystem health, pollution control, precision aquaculture technologies, and the sustainable utilization of fishery resources. By bridging cutting-edge research with practical management and policy implementation, this topic will support the global transition toward a resilient, productive, and environmentally harmonious “Blue Granary” for future generations.

Topic Submission Link: https://www.mdpi.com/topics/J6P714DX9O;
Submission Deadline: 31 July 2027.

It is worth mentioning that during this conference, Fishes will celebrate its 10th anniversary. To mark this special occasion, MDPI has prepared a range of engaging interactives at our booth. We invite all researchers and students to join us in celebrating this important milestone.

The following open access journals will be represented:

• JMSE;
• Fishes;
• Diversity;
• Water;
• Oceans;
• Conservation;
• Limnological Review.

The MDPI Guest Editor Club Webinar Series brings together Guest Editors to exchange ideas and showcase research published through Special Issues. This session, focused on research in the field of environmental & earth sciences, discusses the decision-making process of a Guest Editor, as well as experience sharing by experienced Guest Editors.

Date: 25 August 2026
Time: 4:00 p.m. CEST | 10:00 a.m. EDT
Webinar ID: 845 7125 9052
Webinar Secretariat: webinar@mdpi.com

Register now for free!

Program:

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

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

Webinar Speakers:

• Prof. Dr. Alexandru-Ionuţ Petrişor, Doctoral School of Urban Planning, “Ion Mincu” University of Architecture and Urbanism, Romania;
• Prof. Dr. Miaohua Mao, Yantai Institute of Coastal Zone Research, Chinese Academy of Sciences, China;
• Dr. Wan-Ting (Grace) Chen, Department of Plastics Engineering, University of Massachusetts Lowell, USA.