Announcements

We are pleased to announce that the 2024 Tu Youyou Award has been conferred upon Richard DiMarchi and Rolf Müller, in recognition of their significant contributions to natural products chemistry and medicinal chemistry.

Richard DiMarchi Indiana University, USA	Prof. Richard DiMarchi is a Distinguished Professor of Chemistry and Gill Chair in Biomolecular Sciences at Indiana University, USA. He is a member of the National Academy of Medicine and the National Inventors Hall of Fame. Dr. DiMarchi is a former Group Vice President at Eli Lilly and later at Novo Nordisk. He is recognized for his contributions to the discovery and development of rDNA-derived Humulin®, Humalog®, rGlucagon®, and Forteo®. His academic research has broadened the understanding of glucagon and incretin physiology and pioneered the discovery of single-molecule multi-mechanism agonists for the treatment of diabetes and obesity. The central element to success has been the chemical vision and technology to install within single molecules simultaneous agonism at related G-protein coupled receptors, coupled to the counter-intuitive discovery that glucagon and GIP agonism could synergize the therapeutic efficacy of GLP-1. These peptides and their conceptual approach have transformed the management of excessive body weight to a condition comparable to how hypertension, adult-onset diabetes, and excess cholesterol are medicinally managed.
“Professor DiMarchi was recognized by the 2024 Tu Youyou Award Committee members as being an exceptional leader in the medicinal chemistry of peptides and proteins of natural origin, and as a pioneer in the field of chemical biotechnology. His very important discoveries have led to breakthroughs in new drugs related to the therapy of diabetes and obesity. He has been named as an inventor on a very large number of patents, and he has had initially a highly successful scientific and administrative career in industry, which was followed by over two decades in academia as a distinguished professor.” —Prof. Dr. A. Douglas Kinghorn, Chair of the Award Committee
Rolf Müller Helmholtz Institute for Pharmaceutical Research Saarland (HIPS), Germany; Helmholtz Centre for Infections Research (HZI), Germany; Saarland University, Germany	Prof. Rolf Müller is the Founding and Managing Director of the Helmholtz Institute for Pharmaceutical Research Saarland (HIPS) and Professor of Pharmaceutical Biotechnology at Saarland University, Germany. Having received his training from the University of Bonn, he held research positions at the University of Washington, USA, and Braunschweig University of Technology, Germany, prior to his appointment as professor to Saarland University. His laboratory has dedicated itself to the exploration of bacterial natural-product biosynthetic pathways for more than 20 years and has extensive experience in working with myxobacteria and other microbial producer strains. Starting from the isolation and characterization of new microorganisms, the scope of work includes microbiology-, biotechnology-, bioinformatics-, and chemistry-based approaches to exploit these isolates as sources of new drugs with a special focus on novel anti-infectives. Müller and his team apply a variety of state-of-the-art analytical methods and biological assays to perform biological and chemical characterizations of the identified compounds. Prof. Müller has received several awards, including the prestigious Gottfried Wilhelm Leibniz Prize, the PHOENIX Pharmacy Research Award, the DECHEMA Prize, and the Inhoffen Medal, as well as being an elected member of acatech, Leopoldina, and the German Academy of Sciences and Literature.
“The 2024 Tu Youyou Award Committee members were highly impressed by the truly outstanding past and ongoing contributions of Professor Müller in both microbial natural products isolation chemistry and in biosynthesis, as well as in the development of lead compounds for their potential in treating human diseases, through his global connections with various major funding agencies. He is also a dedicated teacher who has trained numerous graduate students and postdoctoral fellows, and he has lectured on his research in countries all over the world.” —Prof. Dr. A. Douglas Kinghorn, Chair of the Award Committee

The achievements of Richard DiMarchi and Rolf Müller highlight the transformative impact of natural products chemistry and medicinal chemistry. We congratulate them and invite the global academic community and public to join us in celebrating their significant contributions.

2024 Award Committee
Committee Chair:

• Prof. Dr. A. Douglas Kinghorn, Ohio State University, USA.
  

Committee Members (listed in alphabetical order):

• Prof. Angelo Fontana, University of Naples “Federico II”, Italy;
• Prof. Binghe Wang, Georgia State University, USA;
• Dr. Diana Pinto, University of Aveiro, Portugal;
• Prof. Hideaki Kakeya, Kyoto University, Japan;
• Dr. RuAngelie Edrada-Ebel, University of Strathclyde, UK;
• Prof. Thomas Prisinzano, University of Kentucky, USA
• Prof. Wei Li, University of Tennessee Health Science Center, USA.

About the Tu Youyou Award:
The 2024 Tu Youyou Award includes a total monetary prize of 100,000 Swiss Francs and a medal for each recipient. Established in 2016 to honor the pioneering spirit of Nobel laureate Tu Youyou, the Tu Youyou Award is an international award honoring exceptional scholars dedicated to the fields of natural products chemistry and medicinal chemistry.

For further information about the award and the winners, please visit the Tu Youyou Award website.

World Migratory Bird Day (WMBD) is officially celebrated on the second Saturday of May in Canada and the US, and the second Saturday of October in Mexico, Central and South America, and the Caribbean. While the official dates are set, organizations and individuals are encouraged to celebrate and raise awareness about birds throughout the year by organizing relevant events and activities.

In 2025, WMBD will raise awareness about the many challenges migratory birds face due to human activities and expanding urban development. The campaign will advocate for strategic urban planning and conservation efforts that incorporate bird-friendly practices, making sure that our communities become havens for these remarkable travelers. The 2025 theme encourages action from all sectors, including national and local governments, businesses, community groups, and individuals worldwide.

We hope that established journals in the field of Environmental & Earth Sciences at MDPI, including Animals, Biology, Birds, Conservation, Ecologies, and Wild, will provide an invaluable platform for the exchange of innovative ideas regarding making our environment safe and welcoming for birds.

“Birds of Game Abundances in Evergreen Forests in Calakmul Biosphere Reserve, Campeche, Mexico”
by Héctor M. J. López-Castilla, Fernando M. Contreras-Moreno, Daniel Jesús-Espinosa, José M. Méndez-Tun, Khiavett Sánchez-Pinzón, Pedro Bautista-Ramírez, Lizardo Cruz-Romo and Sandra Petrone
Wild 2025, 2(1), 3; https://doi.org/10.3390/wild2010003

“Trends in the Application of Citizen Science in Waterbird Conservation: A Bibliometric Analysis”
by Ruilin Wang and Keming Ma
Animals 2025, 15(3), 368; https://doi.org/10.3390/ani15030368

“Mitigating Acute Climate Change Threats to Reintroduced Migratory Northern Bald Ibises”
by Johannes Fritz, Markus Unsoeld, Bernhard Goenner, Regina Kramer, Lisbet Siebert-Lang and Helena Wehner
Conservation 2024, 4(4), 748-761; https://doi.org/10.3390/conservation4040044

“Quantifying the Ecological Performance of Migratory Bird Conservation: Evidence from Poyang Lake Wetlands in China”
by Zhenjiang Song, Shichao Gao, Mingni Leng, Bo Zhou and Baoshu Wu
Biology 2024, 13(10), 786; https://doi.org/10.3390/biology13100786

“Comparing Energetics and Physiological Trait Patterns of North American Birds to Support Ecological Risk Assessment”
by Erik B. Muller, Carlo Romoli, Benoit Goussen, Jonathan D. Maul, Richard Brain and Nika Galic
Ecologies 2024, 5(3), 354-367; https://doi.org/10.3390/ecologies5030022

“Use of Stable Isotopes (δ13C and δ15N) to Infer Post-Breeding Dispersal Strategies in Iberian Populations of the Kentish Plover”
by Andrea Gestoso, María Vidal and Jesús Domínguez
Animals 2024, 14(8), 1208; https://doi.org/10.3390/ani14081208

“Simulation Modeling Unveils the Unalike Effects of Alternative Strategies for Waterbird Conservation in the Coastal Wetlands of Sardinia (Italy)”
by Alessandro Ferrarini, Marco Gustin and Claudio Celada
Biology 2023, 12(11), 1440; https://doi.org/10.3390/biology12111440

“Stopover Ecology of the European Turtle Dove (Streptopelia turtur), a Threatened Migratory Bird Species, after the Crossing of an Extended Ecological Barrier”
by Christos Barboutis, Anastasios Bounas, Elisabeth Navarrete and Thord Fransson
Birds 2023, 4(2), 202-212; https://doi.org/10.3390/birds4020017

“Using Pop-GUIDE to Assess the Applicability of MCnest for Relative Risk of Pesticides to Hummingbirds”
by Matthew A. Etterson, Elizabeth A. Paulukonis and S. Thomas Purucker
Ecologies 2023, 4(1), 171-194; https://doi.org/10.3390/ecologies4010013

“Blood Metabolites and Profiling Stored Adipose Tissue Reveal the Differential Migratory Strategies of Eurasian Reed and Sedge Warblers”
by Pedro M. Araújo, Ivan Viegas, Luis P. Da Silva, Pedro B. Lopes, Ludgero C. Tavares and Jaime A. Ramos
Birds 2022, 3(4), 359-373; https://doi.org/10.3390/birds3040024

“Unveiling the Breeding Biology and Life History Evolution in Birds” Guest Editors: Prof. Dr. Shaobin Li, Dr. Changcao Wang and Dr. Weibin Guo Submission deadline: 31 October 2025	“Multi-Sensor Remote Sensing and Ecological Models for Bird and Wildlife Conservation” Guest Editors: Dr. Annalisa Viani, Dr. Tommaso Orusa and Dr. Samuele De Petris Submission deadline: 30 November 2025

We are honored to introduce the award committee for the 2024 Tu Youyou Award, composed of distinguished scientists from around the world whose research covers diverse areas of natural product chemistry, pharmacognosy, and drug discovery. Their broad expertise and pioneering contributions have significantly advanced medicinal and natural products research.

Through their collective insights, rigorous evaluation, the committee has carefully selected this year’s award recipients, recognizing exceptional achievements in the field.

We sincerely thank these distinguished scholars for their efforts and dedication to upholding the standards of the Tu Youyou Award.  Below is the list of committee members. For more information about the Tu Youyou Award, please visit https://tuyouyouprize.org/. 

Chair:

Prof. Dr. A. Douglas Kinghorn Ohio State University, USA

Prof. Dr. A. Douglas Kinghorn is a leading expert in pharmacognosy and natural products research. He is recognized for his key contributions to discovering bioactive compounds from plants, especially in anticancer, cancer chemopreventive, and substances with a sweet taste and taste-modifying agents. His prolific contributions include over 590 peer-reviewed works and book chapters and edited or co-edited 40 scientific volumes.

Prof. Angelo Fontana University of Naples “Federico II”, Italy	Angelo Fontana is a Professor of Organic Chemistry at the University of Naples “Federico II” in Italy and serves as Director of the Institute of Biomolecular Chemistry at the National Research Council (CNR). His research focuses on bioactive small molecules derived from marine eukaryotes, with a particular interest on their pharmaceutical applications in immunology and oncology. He also explores their potential as molecular tools for probing and modulating complex biological systems. Prof. Fontana is a co-founder of BioSEArch SRL and has been recognized with numerous grants and honors, including the Apivita Award from the Phytochemical Society of Europe.
Prof. Binghe Wang Georgia State University, USA	Prof. Binghe Wang’s lab works on drug design, drug delivery, click chemistry, chemical biology, new diagnostics, and gaseous signaling molecules such as carbon monoxide and hydrogen sulfide. His interdisciplinary research supports advances in cancer, infectious diseases, organ protection, inflammation, and other areas.
Dr. Diana Pinto University of Aveiro, Portugal	Dr. Diana Pinto, an Associate Professor at the University of Aveiro, specializes in organic synthesis of bioactive heterocyclic compounds, sustainable catalysis (organo-, heterogeneous, and biocatalysis), and natural product research, including isolation, characterization, and total synthesis.
Prof. Hideaki Kakeya Kyoto University, Japan	Prof. Hideaki Kakeya conducts cutting-edge research in chemical biology, high-throughput screening, and biosynthesis of bioactive natural products for system chemotherapy and other therapeutic applications.
Dr. RuAngelie Edrada-Ebel University of Strathclyde, UK	Prof. RuAngelie Edrada-Ebel heads the Natural Products Metabolomics Group (NPMG), specializing in marine natural products discovery and metabolomics-driven drug development. A recognized expert in bioactive metabolites, she collaborates with industry and academia to address antimicrobial resistance and sustainable bioprospecting. She serves on the Editorial Board of Marine Drugs and holds two patents in the field.
Prof. Thomas Prisinzano University of Kentucky, USA	Prof. Thomas Prisinzano combines medicinal and natural product chemistry to explore neurotransmitter systems and develop treatments for drug abuse and pain. He has received several prestigious awards, including the Innovator Award from the College on Problems of Drug Dependence.
Prof. Wei Li University of Tennessee Health Science Center, USA	A distinguished professor and Director of the Drug Discovery Center, Prof. Wei Li is also the founder of SEAK Therapeutics, and the 2025 Chair-Elect of the Drug Discovery and Development Division of the American Society of Pharmacology and Experimental Therapeutics (ASPET). His work focuses on medicinal chemistry and small molecule drug discovery, with over 200 publications and 15 issued US patents.

The International Day of Forests, observed annually on 21 March, highlights the indispensable role forests play in sustaining life on Earth. Forests are pillars of global food security and nutrition, providing livelihoods for millions of families worldwide. They are a vital source of essential foods for indigenous and rural communities, offering fruits, nuts, and other resources that are integral to their diets and cultures. Beyond food, forests are a cornerstone of sustainable energy, agriculture, and environmental health. They support pollinators, enrich soil, regulate the climate, and conserve biodiversity, making them critical to the balance of our planet's ecosystems. 

However, deforestation, climate change, and unsustainable practices threaten forests and the countless benefits they provide. In alignment with the 2025 theme for International Day of Forests, “Forests and Food” and Goal 13 of the SDG Publishers Compact: Climate Action,  MDPI’s established journals in Section “Environmental and Earth Sciences” serve as vital platforms for scientific communication to recognize the urgent need to protect and restore these natural treasures. 

Join us in celebrating International Day of Forests and supporting initiatives that protect these vital ecosystems. Together, we can work toward a future where forests continue to nourish and sustain life for generations to come. 

Invited speakers: 

  Feel free to register for this webinar here! 

“Forest Fire Prediction: A Spatial Machine Learning and Neural Network Approach”
by Sanjeev Sharma and Puskar Khanal
Fire 2024, 7(6), 205; https://doi.org/10.3390/fire7060205 

“High-Severity Wildfires Alter Ant (Hymenoptera: Formicidae) Foraging Assemblage Structure in Montane Coniferous Forests and Grasslands in the Jemez Mountains, New Mexico, USA”
by Jonathan Knudsen, Robert Parmenter, Theodore Sumnicht and Robin Verble
Conservation 2024, 4(4), 830-846; https://doi.org/10.3390/conservation4040049 

“Aboveground Biomass and Carbon Storage in Mangrove Forests in Southeastern Mexico”
by Carlos Roberto Ávila-Acosta, Marivel Domínguez-Domínguez, César Jesús Vázquez-Navarrete, Rocío Guadalupe Acosta-Pech and Pablo Martínez-Zurimendi
Resources 2024, 13(3), 41; https://doi.org/10.3390/resources13030041 

“A Nature-Based Approach Using Felled Burnt Logs to Enhance Forest Recovery Post-Fire and Reduce Erosion Phenomena in the Mediterranean Area”
by Giuseppe Bombino, Daniela D’Agostino, Pasquale A. Marziliano, Pedro Pérez Cutillas, Salvatore Praticò, Andrea R. Proto, Leonardo M. Manti, Giuseppina Lofaro and Santo M. Zimbone
Land 2024, 13(2), 236; https://doi.org/10.3390/land13020236 

“Effects of Climate Change on Greek Forests: A Review”
by Panagiotis P. Koulelis, Nikolaos Proutsos, Alexandra D. Solomou, Evangelia V. Avramidou, Ermioni Malliarou, Miltiadis Athanasiou, Gavriil Xanthopoulos and Panos V. Petrakis
Atmosphere 2023, 14(7), 1155; https://doi.org/10.3390/atmos14071155 

“Assisted Migration of Sequoiadendron Genotypes for Conservation and Timber: Performance and Morphology in a Warmer Climate Outside of Their Range”
by Christopher M. Valness, William J. Libby and John-Pascal Berrill
Conservation 2023, 3(4), 543-568; https://doi.org/10.3390/conservation3040035 

“Analysis of Accelerometer Data Using Random Forest Models to Classify the Behavior of a Wild Nocturnal Primate: Javan Slow Loris (Nycticebus javanicus)”
by Amanda Hathaway, Marco Campera, Katherine Hedger, Marianna Chimienti, Esther Adinda, Nabil Ahmad, Muhammed Ali Imron and K. A. I. Nekaris
Ecologies 2023, 4(4), 636-653; https://doi.org/10.3390/ecologies4040042 

“Pinus contorta Alters Microenvironmental Conditions and Reduces Plant Diversity in Patagonian Ecosystems”
by Rafael A. García, Eduardo Fuentes-Lillo, Lohengrin Cavieres, Ana J. Cóbar-Carranza, Kimberley T. Davis, Matías Naour, Martín A. Núñez, Bruce D. Maxwell, Jonas J. Lembrechts and Aníbal Pauchard
Diversity 2023, 15(3), 320; https://doi.org/10.3390/d15030320 

“Characterizing the Change of Annual Cone Production in Longleaf Pine Forests”
by Xiongwen Chen and John L. Willis
Seeds 2023, 2(2), 220-231; https://doi.org/10.3390/seeds2020017 

“Physiological Potential of Seeds of Handroanthus spongiosus (Rizzini) S. Grose (Bignoniaceae) Determined by the Tetrazolium Test”
by Jailton de Jesus Silva, Raquel Araujo Gomes, Maria Aparecida Rodrigues Ferreira, Claudineia Regina Pelacani and Bárbara França Dantas
Seeds 2023, 2(2), 208-219; https://doi.org/10.3390/seeds2020016

World Wildlife Day celebrates the beauty and diversity of wild animals and plants, and also provides an opportunity to raise public awareness and enable the public to gain a deeper understanding of the many benefits of protecting wildlife for humans.

The theme of World Wildlife Day 2025 is “Wildlife Conservation Finance: Investing in People and Planet”, highlighting the importance of supporting wildlife conservation through financial investment. The theme calls on the global community to increase investment in conservation projects to ensure the health and sustainable development of ecosystems. Protecting wildlife is not only to maintain biodiversity but also to safeguard the future of mankind. By investing in conservation projects, we can reduce the risk of species extinction, improve ecological conditions, and create sustainable economic opportunities for communities. Financial support can be used to establish protected areas, combat illegal trade, restore habitats, and promote scientific research. Investing in wildlife conservation is investing in the future of humanity and the planet, ensuring we can coexist in harmony with nature.

In order to jointly explore methods and possibilities for wildlife protection, we have brought together research results from multiple MDPI journals on the relationship between wildlife and human sustainable development and provided an open communication platform. All results are open access, and we hope that researchers and the public around the world can obtain the latest scientific knowledge and promote innovative research and practice in wildlife conservation.

We invite everyone to join this important movement and contribute to the protection of wildlife and the future of our planet and people.

MDPI World Wildlife Day Webinar
3 March 2025, 3:00 p.m. (GET)
Free to register for this webinar!
Recordings will be available on Sciforum shortly afterward.

“Birds of Game Abundances in Evergreen Forests in Calakmul Biosphere Reserve, Campeche, Mexico”
by Héctor M. J. López-Castilla, Fernando M. Contreras-Moreno, Daniel Jesús-Espinosa,
José M. Méndez-Tun, Khiavett Sánchez-Pinzón, Pedro Bautista-Ramírez, Lizardo Cruz-Romo
and Sandra Petrone
Wild 2025, 2(1), 3; https://doi.org/10.3390/wild2010003

“Vulnerability of Agricultural Households to Human–Wildlife Conflicts around Pendjari Biosphere Reserve in Northern Benin”
by Sylvain Efio, Etotépé A. Sogbohossou, Yves Z. Magnon, Bertrand Hamaide, Rigobert C. Tossou
and Brice A. Sinsin
Land 2024, 13(9), 1473; https://doi.org/10.3390/land13091473

“Managing Landscape Urbanization and Assessing Biodiversity of Wildlife Habitats: A Study of Bobcats in San Jose, California”
by Yongli Zheng, Yuxi Wang, Xinyi Wang, Yuhan Wen and Shuying Guo
Land 2024, 13(2), 152; https://doi.org/10.3390/land13020152

“Description of Bisbalus, a New Genus for the Gray Brocket, Mazama cita Osgood, 1912 (Mammalia, Cervidae), as a Step to Solve the Neotropical Deer Puzzle ^†”
by Eluzai Dinai Pinto Sandoval, Wlodzimierz J˛edrzejewski, Jesús Molinari, Miluse Vozdova,
Halina Cernohorska , Svatava Kubickova, Agda Maria Bernegossi, Renato Caparroz
and José Mauricio Barbanti Duarte
Taxonomy 2024, 4(1), 10-26; https://doi.org/10.3390/taxonomy4010002

“Biomass Quantification of the Critically Endangered European eel from Running Waters Using Environmental DNA”
by Sara Fernandez, Álvaro Gutiérrez, Dumas Deconinck, Jose Luis Martinez, Almudena Alvarez,
Isabel Marquez, Gonzalo Machado-Schiaffino and Eva Garcia-Vazquez
Fishes 2023, 8(6), 279; https://doi.org/10.3390/fishes8060279

“Genomic Characterization of Staphylococcus aureus in Wildlife”
by Carmen Martínez-Seijas, Patricia Mascarós, Víctor Lizana, Alba Martí-Marco,
Alberto Arnau-Bonachera, Eva Chillida-Martínez, Jesús Cardells, Laura Selva, David Viana,
and Juan M. Corpa
Animals 2023, 13(6), 1064; https://doi.org/10.3390/ani13061064

“Assessing the Impacts of Climate Change on the At-Risk Species Anaxyrus microscaphus (The Arizona Toad): A Local and Range-Wide Habitat Suitability Analysis”
by Sam M. Driver, Cord B. Eversole, Daniel R. Unger, David L. Kulhavy, Christopher M. Schalk
and I-Kuai Hung
Ecologies 2023, 4(4), 762-778; https://doi.org/10.3390/ecologies4040050

“Identification of Urban and Wildlife Terrestrial Corridor Intersections for Planning of Wildlife-Vehicle Collision Mitigation Measures”
by Andrius Kuˇcas, Linas Balˇciauskas and Carlo Lavalle
Land 2023, 12(4), 758; https://doi.org/10.3390/land12040758

“Spatiotemporal Patterns of Wolves, and Sympatric Predators and Prey Relative to Human Disturbance in Northwestern Greece”
by Maria Petridou, John F. Benson, Olivier Gimenez and Vassiliki Kati
Diversity 2023, 15(2), 184; https://doi.org/10.3390/d15020184

Special Issues

“Global Trends in Climate Suitability of Bees: Ups and Downs in a Warming World”
by Ehsan Rahimi and Chuleui Jung
Insects 2024, 15(2), 127; https://doi.org/10.3390/insects15020127

“Monarch Butterflies in Western North America: A Holistic Review of Population Trends, Ecology, Stressors, Resilience and Adaptation”
by David G. James
Insects 2024, 15(1), 40; https://doi.org/10.3390/insects15010040

“Illuminating Firefly Diversity: Trends, Threats and Conservation Strategies”
by Sara M. Lewis, Wan F. A. Jusoh, Anna C. Walker, Candace E. Fallon, Richard Joyce
and Vor Yiu
Insects 2024, 15(1), 71; https://doi.org/10.3390/insects15010071

“Optimizing Wildlife Habitat Management in Socio-Ecological Systems: An Evolutionary Game Theory Approach”
by Rui Wang, Wenhui Chen and Xingyue Liang
Forests 2023, 14(10), 1940; https://doi.org/10.3390/f14101940

“Edible Halophytes and Halo-Tolerant Species in Apulia Region (Southeastern Italy): Biogeography, Traditional Food Use and Potential Sustainable Crops”
by Rita Accogli, Valeria Tomaselli, Paolo Direnzo, Enrico Vito Perrino, Giuseppe Albanese,
Marcella Urbano and Gaetano Laghetti
Plants 2023, 12(3), 549; https://doi.org/10.3390/plants12030549

“Crop Wild Relatives: A Valuable Source of Tolerance to Various Abiotic Stresses”
by Aliki Kapazoglou, Maria Gerakari, Efstathia Lazaridi, Konstantina Kleftogianni, Efi Sarri, Eleni Tani and Penelope J. Bebeli
Plants 2023, 12(2), 328; https://doi.org/10.3390/plants12020328

“The Societal Value of the Modern Zoo: A Commentary on How Zoos Can Positively Impact on Human Populations Locally and Globally”
by Phillip J. Greenwell, Lisa M. Riley, Ricardo Lemos de Figueiredo, James E. Brereton,
Andrew Mooney and Paul E. Rose
J. Zool. Bot. Gard. 2023, 4(1), 53-69; https://doi.org/10.3390/jzbg4010006

Special Issues

On World Seagrass Day, we celebrate the crucial role that seagrasses play in maintaining the health of our planet and highlight the urgent need for global action to protect them and the ecosystems they maintain. Seagrasses support food security, mitigate climate change, enrich biodiversity, purify water, protect coastlines, and control diseases. The enhancement of ecosystem services and functions are essential to the achievement of international Sustainable Development Goals. Raising awareness of the crucial role of seagrasses in ecosystem maintenance and facilitating their conservation is therefore of great importance.

In celebration of this day, we invite you to explore a selection of insightful articles, journals, and Special Issues in the fields of environment and ecology. These resources aim to deepen our understanding of the importance of seagrass ecosystems and outline the necessary steps to conserve, protect, and restore these vital habitats. By fostering dialogue between researchers, policymakers, local communities, and other stakeholders, we can ensure that efforts to protect seagrasses are effective and inclusive.

Together, we can safeguard the future of seagrasses and, in turn, our planet.

“Restoration of Posidonia oceanica Meadow Using Cuttings from an Area Impacted by Harbor Extension Project”
by Mario De Luca, Luigi Piazzi, Ivan Guala, Maria Francesca Cinti, Paolo Marras, Arianna Pansini, Federico Pinna, Alessandra Puccini, Antonio Santonastaso, Myriam Stelletti et al.
J. Mar. Sci. Eng. 2025, 13(1), 3; https://doi.org/10.3390/jmse13010003

“Impacts of Marine Plastic Pollution on Seagrass Meadows and Ecosystem Services in Southeast Asia”
by Janine Douglas, Holly Niner and Samantha Garrard
J. Mar. Sci. Eng. 2024, 12(12), 2314; https://doi.org/10.3390/jmse12122314

“Seagrass-Associated Biodiversity Influences Organic Carbon in a Temperate Meadow”
by Lowri O’Neill, Bettina Walter and Richard K. F. Unsworth
Oceans 2024, 5(4), 874-888; https://doi.org/10.3390/oceans5040050

“Diversity and Composition of Posidonia oceanica-Associated Bacterial and Fungal Communities: Effect of Boat-Induced Mechanical Stress in the Villefranche-sur-Mer Bay (France)”
by Sara Frasca, Annamaria Alabiso, Marco M. D’Andrea, Raffaela Cattaneo and Luciana Migliore
Diversity 2024, 16(10), 604; https://doi.org/10.3390/d16100604

“Native and Non-Indigenous Biota Associated with the Cymodocea nodosa (Tracheophyta, Alismatales) Meadow in the Seas of Taranto (Southern Italy, Mediterranean Sea)”
by Giuseppe Denti, Fernando Rubino, Ester Cecere and Antonella Petrocelli
Diversity 2024, 16(7), 368; https://doi.org/10.3390/d16070368

“Spatial and Temporal Variation of C, N, and S Stable Isotopes and Seagrass Coverage Related to Eutrophication Stress in Zostera marina”
by Jerrica M. Waddell, Christina C. Pater, Michael R. S. Coffin, Robert F. Gilmour, Jr., Simon C. Courtenay and Michael R. van den Heuvel
Coasts 2024, 4(2), 419–436; https://doi.org/10.3390/coasts4020021

“Intertidal Gleaning Exclusion as a Trigger for Seagrass Species and Fauna Recovery and Passive Seagrass Rehabilitation”
by Tsiaranto Felan-Ratsimba Fanoro, Maria Perpétua Scarlet and Salomão Olinda Bandeira
Diversity 2023, 15(6), 772; https://doi.org/10.3390/d15060772

“Dynamics of Marine Communities—Second Edition” Guest Editor:  Dr. Joo Myun Park Submission deadline:  31 October 2025	“Social Sciences in Marine Ecology Conservation” Guest Editors: Dr. Chia-Hsuan Hsu and Dr. Jiefeng Kang Submission deadline:  31 December 2025

In commemoration of World Wildlife Day 2025, MDPI is organizing a special webinar to bring together researchers and experts to discuss the crucial role of biodiversity conservation and sustainable practices in preserving our ecosystems for future generations. This webinar will provide a platform for meaningful discussions and knowledge exchange on the importance of wildlife protection and the responsible management of natural resources.

We are looking forward to seeing you at the MDPI World Wildlife Day Webinar 2025. Please find an up-to-date outline of the presenters below.

Date: 3 March 2025 at 03:00 p.m. CET | 09:00 a.m. EST | 10:00 p.m. CST Asia

Webinar ID: 823 4465 5373

Webinar announcement: https://sciforum.net/event/MWWDW2

Register for free!

After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information on how to join the webinar. Registrations with academic institutional email addresses will be prioritized.

Unable to attend? Register anyway and we will inform you when the recording is available.

Keynote Speakers:

• Prof. Dr. Marko Sabovljevic, ¹ University of Belgrade, Belgrade, Serbia; ² Center of Plant Biotechnology and Conservation (CPBC), Belgrade, Serbia; ³ Pavol Jozef Šafárik University in Košice, Košice, Slovakia;
• Prof. Dr. Edward L. Braun, Department of Biology, University of Florida, United States;
• Dr. Nucharin Songsasen, Center for Species Survival, Smithsonian National Zoo & Conservation Biology Institute, Washington, DC, United States.

Journals’ Sections—Wildlife & Conservation

If you have an interest in wildlife and conservation research, we invite you to explore our relevant journals’ Sections that cover a wide range of topics in this field:

• “Wildlife” (Section of Animals);
• “Ecology and Conservation” (Section of Animals);
• “Conservation Biology and Biodiversity” (Section of Biology);
• “Plant Genetic Resources” (Section of Plants);
• “Land, Biodiversity, and Human Wellbeing” (Section of Land).

Our journals publish high-quality, peer-reviewed research on biodiversity, ecosystem management, conservation strategies, and the impact of climate change on wildlife.

If you are interested in submitting your work or learning more, please do not hesitate to reach out. We would be happy to discuss potential collaborations or publishing opportunities.

Relevant Special Issues:

Animals

“Adaptations for Animal Survival: Morphological Features or Physiological Mechanisms—Second Edition”
Guest Editor: Prof. Dr. Roberto Cabo
Deadline for manuscript submissions: 31 May 2025

“Population Genetics and Conservation Genetics of Wildlife”
Guest Editor: Dr. Philip Lavretsky
Deadline for Manuscript Submissions: 10 June 2025

Biology

“Advances in Wildlife Conservation and Habitat Management in the Anthropocene”
Guest Editors: Dr. Yiannis G. Zevgolis and Prof. Dr. Panayiotis G. Dimitrakopoulos
Deadline for manuscript submissions: 31 July 2025

“Managing Hybridizing Populations: Threats or Opportunities for Conservation?”
Guest Editors: Prof. Dr. Ettore Randi and Prof. Dr. Marco Musiani
Deadline for manuscript submissions: 30 November 2025

Plants

“Biodiversity Management and Conservation: Exploring the Dynamics of Alien and Native Plant Species”
Guest Editors: Dr. Carmelo Maria Musarella, Dr. Carmelo Maria Musarella, Dr. Ana Cano-Ortíz and Dr. Catarina Isabel Rodrigues Meireles
Deadline for manuscript submissions: 31 March 2025

“Diversity, Distribution and Conservation of Bryophytes”
Guest Editor: Dr. Marta Puglisi
Deadline for manuscript submissions: 30 May 2025

MDPI is pleased to share a significant milestone in its mission to advance scholarly research and promote the dissemination of knowledge—300+ MDPI journals are now indexed in Web of Science (WoS). This milestone highlights the global recognition, interdisciplinary impact and enhanced visibility of our journals. It also reflects our adherence to rigorous editorial standards, scientific integrity, and our mission to foster open scientific exchange in all forms, across all disciplines. 

To explore the full list of our journals indexed in WoS, please visit https://www.mdpi.com/about/journals/wos. Beyond expanding the coverage of our publications in the leading academic databases, we are dedicated to ensuring that our journals are included in as many scope-specific databases as possible. This increases the visibility of our authors’ work and extends the reach of their significant data. 

This milestone would not have been possible without the efforts and expertise of our academic editors, reviewers and authors. Their commitment and collaboration have been instrumental in creating an inclusive, accessible, and impactful publishing platform. We also extend our gratitude to the global research community for their trust as we continue to break new ground in academic publishing. This milestone is not just a celebration of MDPI’s progress but also recognition of the collective strides made by researchers worldwide. 

As we celebrate this remarkable accomplishment, MDPI remains steadfast in its commitment to open access publishing and ensuring that high-quality research reaches and inspires a global audience.