Announcements
26 June 2025
Water | Selected Papers Published in 2024 in the “Water and Climate Change” Section
24 June 2025
Water Receives an Updated Impact Factor of 3.0 and Increased CiteScore of 6.0
20 June 2025
Young Women in Engineering Award—Open for Nominations
19 June 2025
MDPI’s Journal Cluster of Water Resources
Water is a critical component of life on earth. Its vital role in areas including climate, bodily function, and energy generation makes water one of the most important resources on the planet. Water research encompasses a wide variety of scientific disciplines. Hydrologists study the distribution, availability, usage and movement of ground water, while oceanographers study tides, currents, and the composition of oceans. Water purification and water resource management are also pertinent topics for water-scarce regions in the world.
MDPI’s cluster of water resource journals is dedicated to the rapid dissemination of contemporary research on water and other related resources. MDPI’s oldest journal in this cluster, Water (IF 3.0), has published over 20,000 papers since 2009, conveying the latest research on water to its broad, multidisciplinary readership. This cluster also offers more specialized outlets for researchers focused on hydrology, marine science, oceanography, and coastal research, enabling their work to reach a more targeted audience.
The seven participating journals are as follows:
- Water (ISSN: 2073-4441) covers all aspects of water, including the ecology and management of water resources. Water is led by its Editor-in-Chief, Dr. Jean-Luc PROBST (University of Toulouse, France);
- Journal of Marine Science and Engineering (JMSE, ISSN: 2077-1312) focuses on research in the fields of ocean engineering, coastal engineering, physical oceanography, geological oceanography, marine biology, and marine environmental science. JMSE is led by its Editor-in-Chief, Prof. Charitha Pattiaratchi (Oceans Graduate School and the UWA Oceans Institute, the University of Western Australia, Australia);
- Hydrology (ISSN: 2306-5338) encompasses all aspects of hydrology, including groundwater, surface water, soil water, and atmospheric water, as well as snow and ice. Papers advancing the quantitative, qualitative, and ecological aspects of hydrology together with water management are welcome. Hydrology is led by its Editor-in-Chief, Prof. Dr. Ezio Todini (Italian Hydrological Society, Italy);
- Resources (ISSN: 2079-9276) focuses on natural resources; mineral and geo-resources; land and ecological resources; plant and animal resources; water resources; energy resources; food and bio-resources; resource conservation, reuse, and recycling; sustainable resource management; resource stewardship, governance, and policy; circular economy and new business models; modeling resource flows and impacts. Resources is led by its Editor-in-Chief, Prof. Dr. Benjamin McLellan (Graduate School of Energy Science, Kyoto University, Japan);
- Oceans (ISSN: 2673-1924) is specifically addressed to studies related to all branches of oceanography with an emphasis on the functioning of the ocean and the sustainable use of its resources and ecosystem services. It publishes original research papers, critical reviews, short communications, and commentary. There is no restriction on the length of its papers. Oceans is led by its Editor-in-Chief, Prof. Dr. Beatriz Morales-Nin (Mediterranean Institute of Advanced Studies CSIC-UIB, Palma de Mallorca, Spain);
- Limnological Review (ISSN: 2300-7575) covers all different subdisciplines of freshwater environment studies. Our aim is to provide a platform for publication, information, and debate, encompassing all areas which fall within the scope of freshwater science. Limnological Review is led by its Editor-in-Chief, Dr. Piotr Rzymski (Poznań University of Medical Sciences, Poland);
- Coasts (ISSN: 2673-964X) focuses on coastal engineering, management, conservation, biology, and ecology. Coasts is led by its Editor-in-Chief, Prof. Dr. Francisco Taveira Pinto (Civil Engineering and Georesources Department, University of Porto, Portugal and CIIMAR—Interdisciplinary Centre of Marine and Environmental Research, Marine Energy and Hydraulic Structures, Portugal).
| Launch year | Impact Factor (2024) | CiteScore (2024) | First Decision (median) | APC | |
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2009 | 3.0 | 6.0 | 17.5 | CHF 2600 |
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2013 | 2.8 | 5.0 | 16.4 | CHF 2600 |
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2014 | 3.2 | 5.9 | 15.3 | CHF 1800 |
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2012 | 3.2 | 7.2 | 26.1 | CHF 1600 |
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2020 | 1.6 | 3.5 | 23.3 | CHF 1600 |
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2010 | / | 1.4 | 21.8 | CHF 1000 |
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2021 | / | / | 23.2 | CHF 1000 |
MDPI’s Mission and Values:
As a pioneer of academic open access publishing, MDPI has been serving the scientific community since 1996. Our aim is to foster scientific exchange in all forms, across all disciplines. MDPI’s guidelines for disseminating open science are based on the following values and guiding principles:
- Open Access—All of our content is published in open access and distributed under a Creative Commons License, providing free access to science and the latest research, allowing articles to be freely shared and content to be re-used with proper attribution;
- Timeliness and Efficiency—Publishing the latest research through thorough editorial work, ensuring a first decision is provided to authors in under 32 days and papers are published within 7–10 days upon acceptance;
- Simplicity—Offering user-friendly tools and services in one place to enhance the efficiency of our editorial process;
- High Quality Service—Supporting scholars and their work by providing a range of options such as journal publication at mdpi.com, early publication at preprints.org, and conferences on sciforum.net to make a positive impact on research;
- Flexibility—Adapting and developing new tools and services to meet the changing needs of the research community, driven by feedback from authors, editors, and readers;
- Rooted in Sustainability—Ensuring the long-term preservation of published papers and supporting the future of science through partnerships, sponsorships, and awards.
By adhering to these values and principles, MDPI remains committed to advancing scientific knowledge and promoting open science practices.
Selected Topics and Special Issues:
- “Application of Smart Technologies in Water Resources Management, 2nd Edition”;
- “Advanced Approaches in Sustainable Water Resources Cycle Management”;
- “Research on Water Supply Systems and on the Treatment and Recovery of Wastewater and Stormwater”.
Selected Articles:
Water
“Trees in Sponge Cities—A Systematic Review of Trees as a Component of Blue-Green Infrastructure, Vegetation Engineering Principles, and Stormwater Management”
Journal of Marine Science and Engineering
“Modes of Operation and Forcing in Oil Spill Modeling: State-of-Art, Deficiencies and Challenges”
Hydrology
“A Machine Learning Approach to Map the Vulnerability of Groundwater Resources to Agricultural Contamination”
Resources
“Synthesis Methods, Properties, and Modifications of Biochar-Based Materials for Wastewater Treatment: A Review”
Oceans
“The Abundance of Microplastics in the World’s Oceans: A Systematic Review”
Limnological Review
“The Possible Use of Stable Carbon and Nitrogen Isotope Signal and Spectral Analysis to Identify Habitat Condition of Aquatic Plants”
Coasts
“Spatial and Temporal Changes in the Fish Fauna of a Low-Inflow Estuary following a Mass Mortality Event and Natural and Artificial Bar Breaches”
6 June 2025
World Oceans Day—“Wonder: Sustaining What Sustains Us”, 8 June 2025
The ocean covers over 70% of the planet and is our life source, providing sustenance to humanity and every other organism on Earth. With 90% of large fish populations depleted and 50% of coral reefs destroyed, we are taking more from the ocean than can be replenished. There is an urgent need for us to work together to create a new balance with the ocean—one that no longer depletes its bounty but instead restores its vibrancy and brings it new life.
“Wonder: Sustaining what sustains us” is the theme for World Oceans Day 2025. We hope that established MDPI journals in the field of Environmental & Earth Sciences, including Atmosphere, Biology, Climate, Coasts, Conservation, Environments, Fishes, Geosciences, Genes, Hydrology, Journal of Marine Science and Engineering, Meteorology, Oceans, Remote Sensing, Sustainability, Taxonomy and Water, will provide a valuable platform for the exchange of innovative ideas regarding ocean protection.
| ● Atmosphere; | ● Biology; | ● Climate; | ● Coasts; |
| ● Conservation; | ● Environments; | ● Fishes; | ● Geoscience; |
| ● Genes; | ● Hydrology; | ● Journal of Marine Science and Engineering; | ● Meteorology; |
| ● Oceans; | ● Remote Sensing; | ● Sustainability; | ● Taxonomy. |
| ● Water; |
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“Sea Surface Temperature and Marine Heat Wave Predictions in the South China Sea: A 3D U-Net Deep Learning Model Integrating Multi-Source Data”
by Bowen Xie, Jifeng Qi, Shuguo Yang, Guimin Sun, Zhongkun Feng, Baoshu Yin and Wenwu Wang
Atmosphere 2024, 15(1), 86; https://doi.org/10.3390/atmos15010086
Special Issues:
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“The Occurrence and Distribution of Persistent and Emerging Organic Contaminants in the Coast” |
“Long-Term Signature of Carbon Cycle in Marine Systems: Evidence from Geochemistry” |
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“Simulation of Seawater Intrusion and Upconing Processes in Mediterranean Aquifer in Response to Climate Change (Plana de Castellón, Spain)”
by Barbara del R. Almazan-Benitéz, Maria V. Esteller-Alberich, Arianna Renau-Pruñonosa and José L. Expósito-Castillo
Hydrology 2024, 11(12), 205; https://doi.org/10.3390/hydrology11120205
“Estimating the Temporal Impacts of Nearshore Fisheries on Coastal Ocean-Sourced Waste Accumulation in South Korea Using Stepwise Regression”
by Seung-Hyun Lee, Seung-Kweon Hong, Jongsung Lee, Ji-Won Yu, Hong-Tae Kim and Tae-Hwan Joung
Sustainability 2024, 16(13), 5663; https://doi.org/10.3390/su16135663
“Mercury Biogeochemistry and Biomagnification in the Mediterranean Sea: Current Knowledge and Future Prospects in the Context of Climate Change”
by Roberto Bargagli and Emilia Rota
Coasts 2024, 4(1), 89-107; https://doi.org/10.3390/coasts4010006
Special Issues:
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“Physical Interactions Between Ocean-Atmosphere Boundary Layers from Turbulent to Climate Scales” |
“Air-Sea Interactions: Recent Trends, Current Progress and Future Directions” |
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| “The Dynamics and Impacts of Ocean-Atmosphere Coupling on Regional and Global Climate” Guest Editors: Dr. Aixue Hu and Dr. Mengrong Ding Submission deadline: 31 January 2026 |
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“The Impact of Marine Heatwaves on Isotherm Displacement and Tuna Distribution in Vanuatu”
by Hannah Weinberg, Jessica Bhardwaj, Andrew B. Watkins and Yuriy Kuleshov
Climate 2024, 12(11), 181; https://doi.org/10.3390/cli12110181
“Typical Marine Ecological Disasters in China Attributed to Marine Organisms and Their Significant Insights”
by Lulu Yao, Peimin He, Zhangyi Xia, Jiye Li and Jinlin Liu
Biology 2024, 13(9), 678; https://doi.org/10.3390/biology13090678
“Diatom Flora from Time-Series Sediment Trap in the Kuroshio Extension Region of the Northwestern Pacific”
by Joon Sang Park, Hyung Jeek Kim, Kyun-Woo Lee, Hyun Ju Ha and Yun Jae Kim
Taxonomy 2024, 4(3), 507-547; https://doi.org/10.3390/taxonomy4030025
“Ecological Impacts of Coastal Protection on the Vegetation of Sandy Coasts at the German Baltic Sea Coast”
by Daniela Glueck, Ulf Schiefelbein and Hendrik Schubert
Coasts 2024, 4(2), 437-453; https://doi.org/10.3390/coasts4020022
“Growth Performance and Environmental Quality Indices and Biomarkers in a Co-Culture of the European Sea Bass with Filter and Deposit Feeders: A Case Study of an IMTA System”
by Efthimia Cotou, Helen Miliou, Evanthia Chatzoglou, Eirini Schoina, Nektarios Politakis, Dimitra Kogiannou, Eleni Fountoulaki, Afrodite Androni, Aggeliki Konstantinopoulou, Georgia Assimakopoulou et al.
Fishes 2024, 9(2), 69; https://doi.org/10.3390/fishes9020069
“Stage-Specific Transcriptomes of the Mussel Mytilus coruscus Reveals the Developmental Program for the Planktonic to Benthic Transition”
by Yu-Qing Wang, Qi Liu, Yan Zhou, Lizhi Chen, Yue-Ming Yang, Xue Shi, Deborah M. Power and Yi-Feng Li
Genes 2023, 14(2), 287; https://doi.org/10.3390/genes14020287
Special Issues:
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“Genetic Status and Perspectives of Fisheries Resources” |
“Environmental DNA (eDNA) for Assessment of Coastal Marine Biodiversity” |
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“Sustainable Fisheries Dynamics” |
“Coastal Ecosystems Under Pressure: Research on Biogeochemistry, Biodiversity and Ecosystems Management” |
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“Social Sciences in Marine Ecology Conservation” |
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“IchthyNet: An Ensemble Method for the Classification of In Situ Marine Zooplankton Shadowgraph Images”
by Brittney Slocum and Bradley Penta
Oceans 2025, 6(1), 7; https://doi.org/10.3390/oceans6010007
“Exploring the Potential of Sentinel-1 Ocean Wind Field Product for Near-Surface Offshore Wind Assessment in the Norwegian Arctic”
by Eduard Khachatrian, Patricia Asemann, Lihong Zhou, Yngve Birkelund, Igor Esau and Benjamin Ricaud
Atmosphere 2024, 15(2), 146; https://doi.org/10.3390/atmos15020146
“CanStoc: A Hybrid Stochastic–GCM System for Monthly, Seasonal and Interannual Predictions”
by Shaun Lovejoy and Lenin Del Rio Amador
Meteorology 2023, 2(4), 509-529; https://doi.org/10.3390/meteorology2040029
Special Issues:
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“Oceans from Space V” |
“Characterization and Monitoring of Coastal Hydrological Environment for Assessing the Impact of Seawater Intrusion on Coastal Aquifers” |
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3 June 2025
World Environment Day—“Beat Plastic Pollution”, 5 June 2025
World Environment Day is an urgent call to action as nature suffers from the devastating impacts of human activity. Annual plastic production exceeds 400 million tons, half of which is single-use plastic, with under 10% recycled. 11 million tons of plastic (equal to 2,200 Eiffel Towers) pollute waterways yearly. Microplastics contaminate our food, water, and air, with humans ingesting over 50,000 particles annually. This pollution harms health and ecosystems globally. A solution does exist, however. Governments, businesses, and individuals must adhere to the 5Rs—Refuse, Reduce, Reuse, Recycle, and Rethink. Join #BeatPlasticPollution this World Environment Day to create a sustainable future.
On this significant day, we are proud to present a curated collection of articles and initiatives dedicated to groundbreaking research and innovative solutions for protecting the environment and beating plastic pollution. We invite readers to explore these resources and join us in our shared mission of a sustainable vision of the future. Together, we can pave the way for a cleaner, healthier planet.
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Environmental & Earth Sciences |
Biology & Life Sciences Chemistry & Materials Science |
Social Sciences, Arts and Humanities Engineering |
“Enhanced Separation of Palladium from Nuclear Wastewater by the Sulfur-Rich Functionalized Covalent Organic Framework”
by Junli Wang, Chen Luo, Wentao Wang, Hui Wang, Yao Liu, Jianwei Li and Taihong Yan
Nanomaterials 2025, 15(10), 714; https://doi.org/10.3390/nano15100714
“Prevention of Biofouling Due to Water Absorption of Natural Fiber Composites in the Aquatic Environment: A Critical Review”
by Cristiano Fragassa, Sara Mattiello, Martina Fronduti, Jo’ Del Gobbo, Radmila Gagic and Carlo Santulli
J. Compos. Sci. 2024, 8(12), 532; https://doi.org/10.3390/jcs8120532
“Testing the Effectiveness of an Ecomedia Literacy Environmental Education Lesson”
by Ludovica Lo Iacono, Ludovica Lo Iacono and Emilio Paolo Visintin
Soc. Sci. 2024, 13(12), 645; https://doi.org/10.3390/socsci13120645
“Airborne Microplastics: Challenges, Prospects, and Experimental Approaches”
by Alexey R. Rednikin, Yulia A. Frank, Artem O. Rozhin, Danil S. Vorobiev and Rawil F. Fakhrullin
Atmosphere 2024, 15(11), 1380; https://doi.org/10.3390/atmos15111380
“Emerging Technologies for Remote Sensing of Floating and Submerged Plastic Litter”
by Lonneke Goddijn-Murphy, Victor Martínez-Vicente, Heidi M. Dierssen, Valentina Raimondi, Erio Gandini, Robert Foster and Ved Chirayath
Remote Sens. 2024, 16(10), 1770; https://doi.org/10.3390/rs16101770
“The Other Side of Fire in a Changing Environment: Evidence from a Mediterranean Country”
by Dimitrios Kalfas, Stavros Kalogiannidis, Fotios Chatzitheodoridis and Nikolaos Margaritis
Fire 2024, 7(2), 36; https://doi.org/10.3390/fire7020036
“A Review of Lithium-Ion Battery Recycling: Technologies, Sustainability, and Open Issues”
by Alessandra Zanoletti, Eleonora Carena, Chiara Ferrara and Elza Bontempi
Batteries 2024, 10(1), 38; https://doi.org/10.3390/batteries10010038
“A Comparative Analysis of Different Hydrogen Production Methods and Their Environmental Impact”
by Somtochukwu Godfrey Nnabuife, Caleb Kwasi Darko, Precious Chineze Obiako, Boyu Kuang, Xiaoxiao Sun and Karl Jenkins
Clean Technol. 2023, 5(4), 1344-1380; https://doi.org/10.3390/cleantechnol5040067
“Screening of Microplastics in Aquaculture Systems (Fish, Mussel, and Water Samples) by FTIR, Scanning Electron Microscopy–Energy Dispersive Spectroscopy and Micro-Raman Spectroscopies”
by Kleopatra Miserli, Christos Lykos, Angelos G. Kalampounias and Ioannis Konstantinou
Appl. Sci. 2023, 13(17), 9705; https://doi.org/10.3390/app13179705
“Microplastics, Additives, and Plasticizers in Freshwater Bivalves: Preliminary Research of Biomonitoring”
by Giulia Cesarini, Fabiana Corami, Beatrice Rosso and Massimiliano Scalici
Water 2023, 15(14), 2647; https://doi.org/10.3390/w15142647
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Guest Editors: Dr. Ramona Riedel and Prof. Dr. Giulio Malucelli Submission deadline: 20 August 2025 |
“Novel Sources, Designs and After-Use Pathways for Plastics in a Circular Economy” Guest Editor: Dr. María José Arévalo-Caballero Submission deadline: 31 August 2025 |
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“Airborne Micro and Nanoplastics: Detection, Dynamics, and Exposure Assessment” Guest Editor: Dr. Yangyang Liu Submission deadline: 30 September 2025 |
“Aquatic Microplastic Pollution: Occurrence and Removal” Guest Editor: Dr. Lixin Zhu Submission deadline: 25 October 2025 |
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“Innovative Strategies to Mitigate the Impact of Mining” Topic Editors: Prof. Dr. Chongchong Qi, Dr. Qiusong Chen and Dr. Danial Jahed Armaghani Submission deadline: 31 October 2025 |
“Enabling Strategies and Policies Toward a Sustainable Environment, 2nd Edition” Topic Editors: Dr. Abdul Majeed, Prof. Dr. Yuantao Xie and Prof. Dr. Judit Oláh Submission deadline: 31 October 2025 |
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3 June 2025
MDPI INSIGHTS: The CEO's Letter #23 - MDPI Summits Spain & Italy, Ei Compendex, and Editorial Independence
Welcome to the MDPI Insights: The CEO's Letter.
In these monthly letters, I will showcase two key aspects of our work at MDPI: our commitment to empowering researchers and our determination to facilitating open scientific exchange.
Opening Thoughts
Highlights from the MDPI Spain Summit in Barcelona (21-22 May)
In May we hosted the MDPI Spain Summit in Barcelona – our second summit in the city following the inaugural one in November 2023.
Stefan Tochev (CEO, MDPI) at the MDPI Spain Summit in Barcelona, 22 May 2025.
Creating a space for exchange of views
The goal of our summits is to bring together Chief Editors of MDPI journals from across disciplines and institutions. These intimate gatherings provide a platform to present the latest developments at MDPI and to initiate open conversations about our journals, the future of open access, and the evolving landscape of scientific publishing.
Most importantly, these are opportunities for in-person connection, providing a more meaningful space for the exchange of views and for building long-term relationships.
Exploring the future of scientific publishing in Spain
The summit took place on 21–22 May and featured a mix of MDPI presentations (including two guest presentations), roundtable discussions, and Q&A sessions. On the first day, we held a focused session with our Chief Editors to gather feedback and have open discussions on their journal development, the peer-review process, and local accreditation systems.
Dr. Giulia Stefenelli (Scientific Communications Lead, MDPI, presents MDPI’s Editorial Process and Peer Review Quality Metrics at the MDPI Spain Summit in Barcelona, 22 May 2025.
I had the pleasure of opening the Summit with a welcome address and an overview of MDPI’s recent milestones. The agenda then included the following sessions:
- MDPI and Recent Developments in the Spanish Market – Dr. Marta Colomer (Public Affairs Specialist, MDPI)
- MDPI Editorial Process and Peer Review Quality Metrics – Dr. Giulia Stefenelli (Scientific Communications Lead, MDPI)
- Open Access in Spain – Dr. Remedios Melero (Researcher, CSIC – guest speaker)
- AI in Publishing and MDPI's Actions – Dr. Enric Sayas (Business Analyst, MDPI), Daniele Raimondi (Data Scientist, MDPI), and Dr. Alexandre López-Borrull (Researcher, Universitat Oberta de Catalunya – guest speaker)
- Publication Ethics – Ana Stankovic (Research Integrity and Publication Ethics, MDPI)
- Opening and Closing remarks were provided by Rocksy Zhang (Editorial Director, MDPI)
We are extremely grateful for the strong engagement shown by our Editors, who were clearly appreciative of the event and the discussions we had. They felt seen and heard, which is a vital prerequisite for building open channels of communication and cultivating productive long-term collaborations.
MDPI colleagues during MDPI Spain Summit in Barcelona (22 May 2025).
A big thank-you to the entire Barcelona team for organizing such a successful event!
Upcoming MDPI Summit events:
- Italy Summit – Rome (26–27 May)
- US Summit – Boston, MA (5–6 June)
- France Summit – Paris (12–13 June)
- US Summit – Houston, TX (26–27 June)
- UK Summit – London (16–17 September)
- Germany Summit – Berlin (18–19 September)
- Romania Summit – Bucharest (23–24 October)
...with more in between, and more to follow.
Impactful Research
50 MDPI Journals Now Indexed in Ei Compendex
Indexing is a key indicator of a journal’s scientific impact. An indexed journal gives research greater visibility and credibility within the global academic community and is recognized for its quality and relevance. While many of our journals are included in major databases such as Web of Science and Scopus, MDPI also places strong emphasis on journal inclusion in subject-specific indexing platforms that align with each journal’s scope. This ensures that when you publish with MDPI, you publish with impact.
I’m pleased to share that as at May 2025, 51 of our journals are now indexed in Ei Compendex, a leading bibliographic database for engineering and applied sciences. This is a major milestone that reflects both the quality or our editorial processes and the relevance of the research we publish in these fields.
“When you publish with MDPI, you publish with impact”
Discoverability and reach
Inclusion in Ei Compendex means greater discoverability for our authors and broader reach of our journals in the fields of engineering and technology. It improves our ability to support global research and innovation, while building MDPI’s reputation in the applied sciences. This recognition is the result of the dedicated work of our editorial teams, reviewers, and authors, and of our overall commitment to excellence in publishing.
You can read our full announcement here.
Appreciative thanks to everyone involved in reaching this milestone.
Inside MDPI
One Year of MDPI’s Seoul Office
On 29 April, we marked one year since the opening of our Seoul office, MDPI’s first local hub in South Korea. South Korea is a key market for MDPI, currently ranking as our sixth-largest contributor to the company’s total publications, with over 89,000 MDPI articles authored by individuals affiliated with Korean institutions. Over the past 12 months, the Seoul team has made great strides in building our visibility, networks, and presence in the region.
A few highlights from the past year
Claude Seo (MDPI Korea Office Manager, Seoul)
Claude Seo, who has over 15 years of experience in the academic publishing industry, is the Office Manager of the Seoul office.
In its inaugural year, the Seoul office focused primarily on marketing and promotional activities to support the MDPI brand locally. During that time, the team concentrated on scholar visits to local institutions, attending academic conferences, and hosting editorial board meetings.
The team also secured 10 Institutional Open Access Program (IOAP) renewals, signed three new IOAP agreements, and established one new Society affiliation.
The Seoul office also hosted its first library book fair and reached over 1,000 followers on its LinkedIn channel, which is an encouraging indication of local visibility and engagement.
“The Seoul team has made strides in building our visibility, networks, and presence in the region”
Growth plans
Later this year, we are working on opening a new Seoul office in a more central location, with room for our growing team. The new space will bring us closer to other publishing partners and provide easier access to and from the airport. The Seoul office will continue to expand its efforts in outreach and engagement as its builds its presence in South Korea.
Warm thanks to the entire Seoul team for their hard work and dedication, and to all MDPI colleagues who have contributed to this exciting chapter in our global journey.
Coming Together for Science
Highlights from the MDPI Italy Summit in Rome (26–27 May)
We closed the month of May by hosting the first MDPI Italy Summit in Rome. This was an important event for us, as Italy has consistently ranked among the top ten countries globally for open access publications over the past decade.
MDPI and Italy: Facts & Figures
- With over 144,000 publications (as at 31 May 2025), Italy is MDPI’s third largest contributor after China and the USA.
- In 2024, MDPI was the second-largest publishing house in Italy.
- The 7,165 Editorial Board Members (EBMs) drawn from Italian institutions represent 8.9% of all MDPI academic editors.
- Among these, 319 serve as Editors-in-Chief (EiCs) or Section Editors-in-Chief (SEiCs).
- Eleven Italian EBMs were recognized as 2024 Clarivate Highly Cited Researchers.
- In 2024, MDPI received 24,873 review reports and collaborated with 88,578 reviewers from Italy.
- 23,131 Guest Editors from Italian institutions led 4,827 Special Issues across 248 MDPI journals.
- MDPI partners with over 900 institutions globally, of which 17 are in Italy.
The MDPI Italy Summit in Rome
Dr. Prof. Giulio Cerullo, EiC of Applied Sciences, at the MDPI Italy Summit in Rome (27 May 2025).
Held on 26–27 May, the MDPI Italy Summit brought together 25 Chief Editors from across our journal portfolio, including some of our largest journals such as Applied Sciences, to discuss MDPI’s latest developments and collaborations in the Italian market, our use of data intelligence and AI to support strategic decision-making, a look into our editorial process, peer-review quality metrics, and conversations around research integrity and community engagement.
The Summit featured MDPI presentations followed by Q&A and concluded with a roundtable discussion. On the evening of the 26th, we hosted a dinner with our Editors to connect personally, learn more about their research, and hear feedback on journal operations and the broader academic landscape in Italy.
Gathering of Editors-in-Chief and MDPI staff at the MDPI Italy Summit in Rome (27 May 2025).
Event Agenda – 27 May
Moderated by Maddalena Favaretto (Conference Scientific Advisor, MDPI), the program featured:
- MDPI Overview, Achievements, Latest News and Future Developments – Stefan Tochev (CEO, MDPI)
- Country Report: Italy – Dr. Laura Perez Martin (Conference Assistant, MDPI)
- AI in Publishing and MDPI’s Actions – Dr. Andrea Perlato (Head of Data Analytics, MDPI)
- MDPI Editorial Process and Research Integrity – Dr. Giulia Stefenelli (Scientific Communications Lead, MDPI)
- Panel Discussion – Stefan, Andrea, Giulia
Panel Discussion with Stefan Tochev (CEO, MDPI), Dr. Giulia Stefenelli (Scientific Communications Lead, MDPI), Dr. Andrea Perlato (Head of Data Analytics, MDPI) during the MDPI Italy Summit in Rome (27 May 2025).
A big thank-you to our Conference team and everyone who worked behind the scenes to make these events run smoothly.
Closing Thoughts
Upholding Editorial Independence in Scholarly Publishing
A recent MDPI blog post written by Dr. Ioana Craciun (Scientific Communications Specialist, MDPI), “Editorial Independence and Publisher Support: Collaborating to Uphold Integrity,” highlights the important balance between editorial autonomy and publisher collaboration in academic publishing.
As the leading fully Open Access scholarly publisher, we are proud to champion editorial independence within our publishing process.
Drawing from the Committee on Publication Ethics (COPE) guidelines, the article emphasizes that while editors must have the freedom to make decisions based on scholarly merit, publishers play a critical role in providing the necessary infrastructure and tools to support the editorial process. This collaborative approach ensures the integrity of the peer review process, builds trust among authors and readers, and upholds the quality and relevance of published content.
MDPI highlights its commitment to this model by investing in research integrity specialists, AI tools for plagiarism detection, and administrative support, all aimed at empowering editors to make independent, informed decisions.
Chief Executive Officer
MDPI AG
23 May 2025
MDPI at EGU 2025: Celebrating Open Science and Academic Excellence
From 27 April to 2 May 2025, MDPI joined the European Geosciences Union (EGU) General Assembly in Vienna, Austria, welcoming over 20,984 attendees from 120+ countries at booth 02 in the Entrance Hall. This landmark event featured 18,934 presentations across 1,102 sessions, with 56% of abstracts contributed by Early Career Scientists (ECSs)—a testament to the vibrant future of geosciences.
Academic Engagement: Dialogue and Collaboration
Meet the Editors-in-Chief
We hosted two insightful sessions with editorial leaders from top journals:
- April 28: Prof. Dr. Stephen Macko (Editor-in-Chief of Nitrogen) and Prof. Dr. Zhong Lu (Editor-in-Chief of GeoHazards);
- April 29: Dr. Tommaso Caloiero (Section Editor-in-Chief of Hydrology) and Prof. Dr. Rui A. P. Perdigão (Section Editor-in-Chief of Climate).
These discussions fostered meaningful connections between attendees and editors, strengthening our commitment to supporting scholarly exchange.
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Environmental and Earth Sciences Journals Editorial Board Meeting
Leaders from MDPI’s environmental and earth sciences journals convened for an in-person meeting to discuss journal updates, peer review enhancements, and editorial standards. The dialogue emphasized collaboration to maintain our rigorous publishing quality.
Award Ceremonies: Honoring Innovation
Remote Sensing Travel Award
On April 30, Dr. Nicola Nocentini (University of Padua and University of Florence) received the award from Associate Editor Prof. Dr. Fabio Tosti. Following the ceremony, Dr. Nocentini shared insights into an exclusive booth interview.
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Geosciences Best Paper Award
Prof. Dr. Olivier Lacombe (Section Editor-in-Chief of Geosciences) presented the award for the paper “Improving the Estimation of the Occurrence Time of an Impending Major Earthquake Using the Entropy Change of Seismicity in Natural Time Analysis”—a groundbreaking study on earthquake prediction.
Interactive Highlights: Fun and Engagement
Raffle Games
Attendees enjoyed lively prize draws, with customized gifts adding a playful touch to scientific networking.
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Quick Q&A Sessions
Topic-based quizzes sparked friendly competition, turning academic curiosity into interactive fun—even hesitant scholars joined the excitement!
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Looking Ahead: Advancing Open Science
Participating in the EGU General Assembly constituted a profoundly enriching experience. Through this engagement, we engaged in profound dialogues not only with authors, reviewers, and members of the Editorial Boards associated with MDPI, but also were afforded the invaluable opportunity to disseminate our institutional mission to emerging scholars.
As an entity steadfastly committed to fostering open scientific exchange across all academic disciplines, MDPI reaffirms its unwavering dedication to advancing global scholarship. We earnestly look forward to prospects of connecting with researchers from around the world, collaborating in unison to expand the frontiers of knowledge and advocate for the practices of open science.
21 May 2025
International Day for Biological Diversity—“Harmony with Nature and Sustainable Development”, 22 May 2025
International Day for Biological Diversity is an annual observance aimed at enhancing awareness and fostering a deeper appreciation of the value of biodiversity, while also drawing attention to the pressing threats it faces on a global scale. This day highlights the pivotal role that biodiversity plays in maintaining planetary health and human well-being, thereby reinforcing the imperative for its conservation. Under the theme “Harmony with Nature and Sustainable Development”, the International Day for Biological Diversity emphasizes the intricate interdependence between all living organisms and their ecosystems.
We hope that established journals in the subjects of Biology & Life Sciences and Environmental & Earth Sciences at MDPI will continue to provide a platform for scientists, researchers, and policymakers to share their findings and insights.
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“Biology & Life Sciences” |
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“Environmental & Earth Sciences” |
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“Refining Camera Trap Surveys for Mammal Detection and Diversity Assessment in the Baviaanskloof Catchment, South Africa”
by Maya Beukes, Travis Perry, Daniel M. Parker and Nokubonga Mgqatsa
Wild 2025, 2(2), 15; https://doi.org/10.3390/wild2020015
“The Endangered and Protected Carabus hungaricus Fabricius, 1792 (Coleoptera: Carabidae) in Bulgaria: Distributional Patterns and Conservation Status”
by Teodora M. Teofilova and Nikolay D. Kodzhabashev
Conservation 2025, 5(2), 18; https://doi.org/10.3390/conservation5020018
“The Multifunctional Catalytic Hemoglobin from Amphitrite ornata: Protocols on Isolation, Taxonomic Identification, Protein Extraction, Purification, and Characterization”
by Anna L. Husted, Victoria R. Sutton, Lauren A. Presnar, R. Kevin Blackburn, Joseph L. Staton, Stephen A. Borgianini and Edward L. D’Antonio
Methods Protoc. 2024, 7(6), 100; https://doi.org/10.3390/mps7060100
“Genetic Diversity, Runs of Homozygosity, and Selection Signatures in Native Japanese Chickens: Insights from Single-Nucleotide Polymorphisms”
by Vanessa V. Velasco, Masaoki Tsudzuki, Norikazu Hashimoto, Naoki Goto and Akira Ishikawa
Animals 2024, 14(22), 3341; https://doi.org/10.3390/ani14223341
“Exploring Extremotolerant and Extremophilic Microalgae: New Frontiers in Sustainable Biotechnological Applications”
by Dorian Rojas-Villalta, David Rojas-Rodríguez, Melany Villanueva-Ilama, Rossy Guillén-Watson, Francinie Murillo-Vega, Olman Gómez-Espinoza and Kattia Núñez-Montero
Biology 2024, 13(9), 712; https://doi.org/10.3390/biology13090712
“Toward Understanding Research Evolution on Indirect Drivers of Ecosystem Change along the Interface of Protected and Non-Protected Lands”
by Trace Gale and Andrea Báez Montenegro
Sustainability 2024, 16(17), 7572; https://doi.org/10.3390/su16177572
“Effects of Long-Term Application of Nitrogen Fertilizer on Soil Acidification and Biological Properties in China: A Meta-Analysis”
by Liqiang Zhang, Zehang Zhao, Bailing Jiang, Bate Baoyin, Zhengguo Cui, Hongyu Wang, Qiuzhu Li and Jinhu Cui
Microorganisms 2024, 12(8), 1683; https://doi.org/10.3390/microorganisms12081683
“Systematic Distribution of Bioluminescence in Marine Animals: A Species-Level Inventory”
by Julien M. Claes, Steven H. D. Haddock, Constance Coubris and Jérôme Mallefet
Life 2024, 14(4), 432; https://doi.org/10.3390/life14040432
“Rambellisea gigliensis and Rambellisea halocynthiae, gen. et spp. nov. (Lulworthiaceae) from the Marine Tunicate Halocynthia papillosa”
by Martina Braconcini, Susanna Gorrasi, Massimiliano Fenice, Paolo Barghini and Marcella Pasqualetti
J. Fungi 2024, 10(2), 127; https://doi.org/10.3390/jof10020127
“The Responses of Cladoceran Communities to the Single and Simultaneous Effects of Environmentally Relevant Increases in Temperature and Phosphorus Concentration in Freshwater Ecosystems”
by Małgorzata Adamczuk
Water 2024, 16(2), 249; https://doi.org/10.3390/w16020249
“The Lost and Found: Unraveling the Functions of Orphan Genes”
by Ali Zeeshan Fakhar, Jinbao Liu, Karolina M. Pajerowska-Mukhtar and M. Shahid Mukhtar
J. Dev. Biol.2023, 11(2), 27; https://doi.org/10.3390/jdb11020027
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“Monitoring, Restoration and Protection in Wetland Ecosystems” |
“Insect Adaptation in the Anthropocene: Responses to Contamination and Human-Induced Environmental Changes” |
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“Plants and Habitats in Changing World: New Data for Climate Change Interpretation and Sustainable Management” |
“Fungal Diversity in Various Environments, 4th Edition” |
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“Impacts of Climate Change on Terrestrial Carbon Cycling and Biodiversity Across Spatial and Temporal Scales” |
“Salmonid Fishery Management and Its Interactions with Freshwater Ecosystem Functions, Structures, and Services” |
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“Plant–Soil Interactions Under Global Change” |
“Plant Species Diversity and Conservation” |
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16 May 2025
Water | Selected Papers Published in 2024 in the “Biodiversity and Functionality of Aquatic Ecosystems” Section
