ALBERT

Description / Table of Contents: The Yukon Coast in Canada is an ice-rich permafrost coast and highly sensitive to changing environmental conditions. Retrogressive thaw slumps are a common thermoerosion feature along this coast, and develop through the thawing of exposed ice-rich permafrost on slopes and removal of accumulating debris. They contribute large amounts of sediment, including organic carbon and nitrogen, to the nearshore zone. The objective of this study was to 1) identify the climatic and geomorphological drivers of sediment-meltwater release, 2) quantify the amount of released meltwater, sediment, organic carbon and nitrogen, and 3) project the evolution of sediment-meltwater release of retrogressive thaw slumps in a changing future climate. The analysis is based on data collected over 18 days in July 2013 and 18 days in August 2012. A cut-throat flume was set up in the main sediment-meltwater channel of the largest retrogressive thaw slump on Herschel Island. In addition, two weather stations, one on top of the undisturbed tundra and one on the…

Description / Table of Contents: In the last decades the frequency and intensity of extreme weather events like heat waves and heavy rainfall have increased and are at least partly linked to global warming. These events can have a strong impact on agricultural and economic production and, thereby, on society. Thus, it is important to improve our understanding of the physical processes leading to those extreme events in order to provide accurate near-term and long-term forecasts. Thermodynamic drivers associated with global warming are well understood, but dynamical aspects of the atmosphere much less so. The dynamical aspects, while less important than the thermodynamic drivers in regards to large-scale and long-time averaged effects, play a critical role in the formation of extremes. The overall aim of this thesis is to improve our understanding of patterns, variability and trends in the global atmospheric circulation under a changing climate. In particular, in this dissertation I developed two new data-driven methods to quantitatively describe the dynamics of…

Description / Table of Contents: According to the classical plume hypothesis, mantle plumes are localized upwellings of hot, buoyant material in the Earth’s mantle. They have a typical mushroom shape, consisting of a large plume head, which is associated with the formation of voluminous flood basalts (a Large Igneous Province) and a narrow plume tail, which generates a linear, age-progressive chain of volcanic edifices (a hotspot track) as the tectonic plate migrates over the relatively stationary plume. Both plume heads and tails reshape large areas of the Earth’s surface over many tens of millions of years. However, not every plume has left an exemplary record that supports the classical hypothesis. The main objective of this thesis is therefore to study how specific hotspots have created the crustal thickness pattern attributed to their volcanic activities. Using regional geodynamic models, the main chapters of this thesis address the challenge of deciphering the three individual (and increasingly complex) Réunion, Iceland, and Kerguelen hotspot histories,…

Description / Table of Contents: Tectonic and climatic boundary conditions determine the amount and the characteristics (size distribution and composition) of sediment that is generated and exported from mountain regions. On millennial timescales, rivers adjust their morphology such that the incoming sediment (Qs,in) can be transported downstream by the available water discharge (Qw). Changes in climatic and tectonic boundary conditions thus trigger an adjustment of the downstream river morphology. Understanding the sensitivity of river morphology to perturbations in boundary conditions is therefore of major importance, for example, for flood assessments, infrastructure and habitats. Although we have a general understanding of how rivers evolve over longer timescales, the prediction of channel response to changes in boundary conditions on a more local scale and over shorter timescales remains a major challenge. To better predict morphological channel evolution, we need to test (i) how channels respond to perturbations in boundary conditions and (ii) how signals ...

Description / Table of Contents: In the Highlands of Sri Lanka, erosion and chemical weathering rates are among the lowest for global mountain denudation. In this tropical humid setting, highly weathered deep saprolite profiles have developed from high-grade metamorphic charnockite during spheroidal weathering of the bedrock. The spheroidal weathering produces rounded corestones and spalled rindlets at the rock-saprolite interface. I used detailed textural, mineralogical, chemical, and electron-microscopic (SEM, FIB, TEM) analyses to identify the factors limiting the rate of weathering front advance in the profile, the sequence of weathering reactions, and the underlying mechanisms. The first mineral attacked by weathering was found to be pyroxene initiated by in situ Fe oxidation, followed by in situ biotite oxidation. Bulk dissolution of the primary minerals is best described with a dissolution – re-precipitation process, as no chemical gradients towards the mineral surface and sharp structural boundaries are observed at the nm scale. Only the local oxidation in pyroxene and biotite is better described with an ion by ion process. The first secondary phases are oxides and amorphous precipitates from which secondary minerals (mainly smectite and kaolinite) form. Only for biotite direct solid state transformation to kaolinite is likely. [...]

Description / Table of Contents: Earth's climate varies continuously across space and time, but humankind has witnessed only a small snapshot of its entire history, and instrumentally documented it for a mere 200 years. Our knowledge of past climate changes is therefore almost exclusively based on indirect proxy data, i.e. on indicators which are sensitive to changes in climatic variables and stored in environmental archives. Extracting the data from these archives allows retrieval of the information from earlier times. Obtaining accurate proxy information is a key means to test model predictions of the past climate, and only after such validation can the models be used to reliably forecast future changes in our warming world. The polar ice sheets of Greenland and Antarctica are one major climate archive, which record information about local air temperatures by means of the isotopic composition of the water molecules embedded in the ice. However, this temperature proxy is, as any indirect climate data, not a perfect recorder of past climatic variations. Apart from local air temperatures, a multitude of other processes affect the mean and variability of the isotopic data, which hinders their direct interpretation in terms of climate variations. This applies especially to regions with little annual accumulation of snow, such as the Antarctic Plateau. While these areas in principle allow for the extraction of isotope records reaching far back in time, a strong corruption of the temperature signal originally encoded in the isotopic data of the snow is expected. This dissertation uses observational isotope data from Antarctica, focussing especially on the East Antarctic low-accumulation area around the Kohnen Station ice-core drilling site, together with statistical and physical methods, to improve our understanding of the spatial and temporal isotope variability across different scales, and thus to enhance the applicability of the proxy for estimating past temperature variability. The presented results lead to a quantitative explanation of the local-scale (1–500 m) spatial variability in the form of a statistical noise model, and reveal the main source of the temporal variability to be the mixture of a climatic seasonal cycle in temperature and the effect of diffusional smoothing acting on temporally uncorrelated noise. These findings put significant limits on the representativity of single isotope records in terms of local air temperature, and impact the interpretation of apparent cyclicalities in the records. Furthermore, to extend the analyses to larger scales, the timescale-dependency of observed Holocene isotope variability is studied. This offers a deeper understanding of the nature of the variations, and is crucial for unravelling the embedded true temperature variability over a wide range of timescales.

Description / Table of Contents: The Himalayas are a region that is most dependent, but also frequently prone to hazards from changing meltwater resources. This mountain belt hosts the highest mountain peaks on earth, has the largest reserve of ice outside the polar regions, and is home to a rapidly growing population in recent decades. One source of hazard has attracted scientific research in particular in the past two decades: glacial lake outburst floods (GLOFs) occurred rarely, but mostly with fatal and catastrophic consequences for downstream communities and infrastructure. Such GLOFs can suddenly release several million cubic meters of water from naturally impounded meltwater lakes. Glacial lakes have grown in number and size by ongoing glacial mass losses in the Himalayas. Theory holds that enhanced meltwater production may increase GLOF frequency, but has never been tested so far. The key challenge to test this notion are the high altitudes of 〉4000 m, at which lakes occur, making field work impractical. Moreover, flood waves can attenuate rapidly in mountain channels downstream, so that many GLOFs have likely gone unnoticed in past decades. Our knowledge on GLOFs is hence likely biased towards larger, destructive cases, which challenges a detailed quantification of their frequency and their response to atmospheric warming. Robustly quantifying the magnitude and frequency of GLOFs is essential for risk assessment and management along mountain rivers, not least to implement their return periods in building design codes. [...]

Description / Table of Contents: Precipitation as the central meteorological feature for agriculture, water security, and human well-being amongst others, has gained special attention ever since. Lack of precipitation may have devastating effects such as crop failure and water scarcity. Abundance of precipitation, on the other hand, may as well result in hazardous events such as flooding and again crop failure. Thus, great effort has been spent on tracking changes in precipitation and relating them to underlying processes. Particularly in the face of global warming and given the link between temperature and atmospheric water holding capacity, research is needed to understand the effect of climate change on precipitation. The present work aims at understanding past changes in precipitation and other meteorological variables. Trends were detected for various time periods and related to associated changes in large-scale atmospheric circulation. The results derived in this thesis may be used as the foundation for attributing changes in floods to climate change.…

Description / Table of Contents: Steep mountain channels are an important component of the fluvial system. On geological timescales, they shape mountain belts and counteract tectonic uplift by erosion. Their channels are strongly coupled to hillslopes and they are often the main source of sediment transported downstream to low-gradient rivers and to alluvial fans, where commonly settlements in mountainous areas are located. Hence, mountain streams are the cause for one of the main natural hazards in these regions. Due to climate change and a pronounced populating of mountainous regions the attention given to this threat is even growing. Although quantitative studies on sediment transport have significantly advanced our knowledge on measuring and calibration techniques we still lack studies of the processes within mountain catchments. Studies examining the mechanisms of energy and mass exchange on small temporal and spatial scales in steep streams remain sparse in comparison to low-gradient alluvial channels. In the beginning of this doctoral project, a vast ...

Description / Table of Contents: The concept of hydrologic connectivity summarizes all flow processes that link separate regions of a landscape. As such, it is a central theme in the field of catchment hydrology, with influence on neighboring disciplines such as ecology and geomorphology. It is widely acknowledged to be an important key in understanding the response behavior of a catchment and has at the same time inspired research on internal processes over a broad range of scales. From this process-hydrological point of view, hydrological connectivity is the conceptual framework to link local observations across space and scales. This is the context in which the four studies this thesis comprises of were conducted. The focus was on structures and their spatial organization as important control on preferential subsurface flow. Each experiment covered a part of the conceptualized flow path from hillslopes to the stream: soil profile, hillslope, riparian zone, and stream. For each study site, the most characteristic structures of the investigated domain and scale, such as slope deposits and peat layers were identified based on preliminary or previous investigations or literature reviews. Additionally, further structural data was collected and topographical analyses were carried out. [...]

Description / Table of Contents: Active and passive source data from two seismic experiments within the interdisciplinary project TIPTEQ (from The Incoming Plate to mega Thrust EarthQuake processes) were used to image and identify the structural and petrophysical properties (such as P- and S-velocities, Poisson's ratios, pore pressure, density and amount of fluids) within the Chilean seismogenic coupling zone at 38.25°S, where in 1960 the largest earthquake ever recorded (Mw 9.5) occurred. Two S-wave velocity models calculated using traveltime and noise tomography techniques were merged with an existing velocity model to obtain a 2D S-wave velocity model, which gathered the advantages of each individual model. In a following step, P- and S-reflectivity images of the subduction zone were obtained using different pre stack and post-stack depth migration techniques. Among them, the recent prestack line-drawing depth migration scheme yielded revealing results. Next, synthetic seismograms modelled using the reflectivity method allowed, through their input 1D synthetic P- and S-velocities, to infer the composition and rocks within the subduction zone. Finally, an image of the subduction zone is given, jointly interpreting the results from this work with results from other studies. The Chilean seismogenic coupling zone at 38.25°S shows a continental crust with highly reflective horizontal, as well as (steep) dipping events. Among them, the Lanalhue Fault Zone (LFZ), which is interpreted to be east-dipping, is imaged to very shallow depths. ...

Description / Table of Contents: Permafrost, defined as ground that remains frozen for at least two consecutive years, is a prominent feature of polar regions. In the Northern Hemisphere, approximately 23 million km2 of the ground are affected by permafrost. Climatic warming, which has a greater effect on the Arctic than on any other region on Earth, leads to permafrost thaw, caused by gradual deepening of the seasonal unfrozen layer (active layer), thermokarst formation (i.e. land subsidence due to ground ice loss) and thermo-erosion. In the course of thaw, formerly freeze-locked organic carbon (OC) is mobilized and mineralized into greenhouse gases (GHGs), fostering further climate warming – a process known as permafrost carbon feedback. Current climate models focus on GHG release from gradual deepening of the active layer and neglect the OC turnover during lateral transport induced by thermokarst and abrupt thermo-erosion. As such, the accelerated erosion of Arctic permafrost coasts, which make up ~34 % of the global coasts, deliver vast amounts of OC into the Arctic Ocean. However, little is known about the amounts of labile and fast bioavailable dissolved OC (DOC), the impact of thermokarst on mobilized organic matter (OM) characteristics, and the release of GHGs from eroding permafrost coasts. To fill that knowledge gap, the main objectives of the thesis are to investigate (i) how much DOC is mobilized from coastal erosion, (ii) how thermokarst and -erosion alters OM characteristics upon thaw on transit to the ocean, and (iii) how much GHGs are emitted from the nearshore zones of eroding permafrost coasts. Field work and sampling took place along the Yukon coast and on Qikiqtaruk (Herschel Island) in the western Canadian Arctic. An interdisciplinary approach was used to quantify OM (OC and nitrogen) as well as to identify degradation processes. The methods used included sedimentology, geo- and hydrochemistry, remote sensing, statistical analyses, and gas chromatography. The thesis shows that considerable amounts of DOC are released from eroding permafrost coasts. Although OC fluxes into the ocean are dominated by DOC from Arctic rivers and particulate OC (POC), labile DOC derived from permafrost plays an important role as it is quickly available for biogeochemical cycling and turnover into GHGs. During transit from land to ocean OM characteristics are substantially altered by thermokarst formation and thermo-erosion. In mudpools, originating from in-situ thawed permafrost, as well as in thaw streams draining thermokarst features towards the ocean, mobilized OM issubject to dilution with melted ground ice and degradation, which result in a decrease of OM contents by more than 50 %. The turnover of OC continues in the nearshore zone. The biochemically most labile OC portions are rapidly lost within months and mineralized into GHGs. The production of GHGs in the ocean is 60 to 80 % as efficient as on land and primarily in form of carbon dioxide (CO2), due to aerobic conditions in the nearshore zone. During each open water season in the Arctic approximately 0.7 to 1.2 Tg of CO2 are emitted from the coastal fringe. The remaining OM is buried in nearshore and shelf sediments, potentially remobilized by waves, currents and ice scouring at later stages. To conclude, the thesis shows that eroding permafrost coasts release large amounts of OC, from which considerable portions are labile DOC. In the course of thermokarst formation and thermo-erosion, OM is diluted and the most labile portions subject to rapid turnover into GHGs. This shows that eroding permafrost coasts are a major yet neglected source of CO2 to the atmosphere. With increasing temperatures and longer sea ice-free conditions projected for the Arctic, the erosion of permafrost coasts accelerates. Consequently, the transfer of OC to the ocean accompanied by GHG production increases, which is expected to have drastic impacts for the climate and coastal ecosystems.

Description / Table of Contents: Today, sustainability of a healthy freshwater ecosystem and its associated ecosystem services are hot issues with ever-growing attention placed upon them. We are increasingly recognizing that they are crucial for the survival of the aquatic biota and human beings on our planet. The efficient monitoring of water resources is fundamental for effective management of water quality and aquatic ecosystems. The first stage in sustainable ecosystem management is the evaluation of the current status of target ecosystems. Traditionally, and even today, physico-chemical parameters have mainly been used to evaluate the quality of water resources. However, they have a large limit to grab the wholeness of water system, particularly in the sense of ecosystem health and integrity, for which ecological monitoring should be based on biological factors. Various approaches are applicable to ecosystem health assessment at different levels of the biological hierarchy, from genes to ecosystems. This Special Issue is designed to improve scientific understanding and strategies for sound aquatic ecosystem management and services for researchers, decision makers, and stakeholders.

Description / Table of Contents: Falcinelli, S.; Pirani, F.; Vecchiocattivi, F. The Possible Role of Penning Ionization Processes in Planetary Atmospheres. Atmosphere 2015, 6(3), 299-317; doi:10.3390/atmos6030299 --- Park, S.; Seo, B.; Lee, G.; Kahng, S.; Jang, Y. Chemical Composition of Water Soluble Inorganic Species in Precipitation at Shihwa Basin, Korea. Atmosphere 2015, 6(6), 732-750; doi:10.3390/atmos6060732 --- Kassianov, E.; Berg, L.; Pekour, M.; Barnard, J.; Chand, D.; Flynn, C.; Ovchinnikov, M.; Sedlacek, A.; Schmid, B.; Shilling, J.; Tomlinson, J.; Fast, J. Airborne Aerosol in Situ Measurements during TCAP: A Closure Study of Total Scattering. Atmosphere 2015, 6(8), 1069-1101; doi:10.3390/atmos6081069 --- Majewski, G.; Rogula-Kozłowska, W.; Czechowski, P.; Badyda, A.; Brandyk, A. The Impact of Selected Parameters on Visibility: First Results from a Long-Term Campaign in Warsaw, Poland. Atmosphere 2015, 6(8), 1154-1174; doi:10.3390/atmos6081154 --- Khwaja, H.; Aburizaiza, O.; Hershey, D.; Siddique, A.; E., D.; Zeb, J.; Abbass, M.; Blake, D.; Hussain, M.; Aburiziza, A.; Kramer, M.; Simpson, I. Study of Black Sand Particles from Sand Dunes in Badr, Saudi Arabia Using Electron Microscopy. Atmosphere 2015, 6(8), 1175-1194; doi:10.3390/atmos6081175 --- Wu, Z.; Liu, F.; Fan, W. Characteristics of PM10 and PM2.5 at Mount Wutai Buddhism Scenic Spot, Shanxi, China. Atmosphere 2015, 6(8), 1195-1210; doi:10.3390/atmos6081195 --- Saldarriaga-Noreña, H.; López-Márquez, R.; Murillo-Tovar, M.; Hernández-Mena, L.; Ospina-Noreña, E.; Sánchez-Salinas, E.; Waliszewski, S.; Montiel-Palma, S. Analysis of PAHs Associated with Particulate Matter PM2.5 in Two Places at the City of Cuernavaca, Morelos, México. Atmosphere 2015, 6(9), 1259-1270; doi:10.3390/atmos6091259 --- Faxon, C.; Bean, J.; Ruiz, L. Inland Concentrations of Cl2 and ClNO2 in Southeast Texas Suggest Chlorine Chemistry Significantly Contributes to Atmospheric Reactivity. Atmosphere 2015, 6(10), 1487-1506; doi:10.3390/atmos6101487 --- Asa-Awuku, A.; Sorooshian, A.; Flagan, R.; Seinfeld, J.; Nenes, A. CCN Properties of Organic Aerosol Collected Below and within Marine Stratocumulus Clouds near Monterey, California. Atmosphere 2015, 6(11), 1590-1607; doi:10.3390/atmos6111590 --- Yang, M.; Wang, Y.; Liu, Q.; Ding, A.; Li, Y. The Influence of Sandstorms and Long-Range Transport on Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons (PAHs) in PM2.5 in the High-Altitude Atmosphere of Southern China. Atmosphere 2015, 6(11), 1633-1651; doi:10.3390/atmos6111633 --- Rubio, M.; Lissi, E.; Gramsch, E.; Garreaud, R. Effect of Nearby Forest Fires on Ground Level Ozone Concentrations in Santiago, Chile. Atmosphere 2015, 6(12), 1926-1938; doi:10.3390/atmos6121838 --- Lopez, D.; Rabbani, M.; Crosbie, E.; Raman, A.; Arellano, A.; Sorooshian, A. Frequency and Character of Extreme Aerosol Events in the Southwestern United States: A Case Study Analysis in Arizona. Atmosphere 2016, 7(1), 1; doi:10.3390/atmos7010001 --- Stovern, M.; Guzmán, H.; Rine, K.; Felix, O.; King, M.; Ela, W.; Betterton, E.; Sáez, A. Windblown Dust Deposition Forecasting and Spread of Contamination around Mine Tailings. Atmosphere 2016, 7(2), 16; doi:10.3390/atmos7020016 --- Raman, A.; Arellano, A.; Sorooshian, A. Decreasing Aerosol Loading in the North American Monsoon Region. Atmosphere 2016, 7(2), 24; doi:10.3390/atmos7020024 --- Hetem, I.; Andrade, M. Characterization of Fine Particulate Matter Emitted from the Resuspension of Road and Pavement Dust in the Metropolitan Area of São Paulo, Brazil. Atmosphere 2016, 7(3), 31; doi:10.3390/atmos7030031

Description / Table of Contents: Frederiks, E.; Stenner, K.; Hobman, E. The Socio-Demographic and Psychological Predictors of Residential Energy Consumption: A Comprehensive Review. Energies 2015, 8(1), 573-609; doi:10.3390/en8010573 --- Sun, W.; He, Y.; Chang, H. Forecasting Fossil Fuel Energy Consumption for Power Generation Using QHSA-Based LSSVM Model. Energies 2015, 8(2), 939-959; doi:10.3390/en8020939 --- Gutierrez-Escolar, A.; Castillo-Martinez, A.; Gomez-Pulido, J.; Gutierrez-Martinez, J.; Stapic, Z.; Medina-Merodio, J. A Study to Improve the Quality of Street Lighting in Spain. Energies 2015, 8(2), 976-994; doi:10.3390/en8020976 --- Chew, K.; Klemeš, J.; Alwi, S.; Manan, Z.; Reverberi, A. Total Site Heat Integration Considering Pressure Drops. Energies 2015, 8(2), 1114-1137; doi:10.3390/en8021114 --- Kim, S.; Shin, K.; Choi, B.; Jo, J.; Cho, S.; Cho, Y. A Study on the Variation of Heating and Cooling Load According to the Use of Horizontal Shading and Venetian Blinds in Office Buildings in Korea. Energies 2015, 8(2), 1487-1504; doi:10.3390/en8021487 --- Sheng, P.; Yang, J.; Shackman, J. Energy’s Shadow Price and Energy Efficiency in China: A Non-Parametric Input Distance Function Analysis. Energies 2015, 8(3), 1975-1989; doi:10.3390/en8031975 --- Benavides, C.; Gonzales, L.; Diaz, M.; Fuentes, R.; García, G.; Palma-Behnke, R.; Ravizza, C. The Impact of a Carbon Tax on the Chilean Electricity Generation Sector. Energies 2015, 8(4), 2674-2700; doi:10.3390/en8042674 --- Li, W.; Li, H.; Sun, S. China’s Low-Carbon Scenario Analysis of CO2 Mitigation Measures towards 2050 Using a Hybrid AIM/CGE Model. Energies 2015, 8(5), 3529-3555; doi:10.3390/en8053529 --- Nasirov, S.; Silva, C.; Agostini, C. Investors’ Perspectives on Barriers to the Deployment of Renewable Energy Sources in Chile. Energies 2015, 8(5), 3794-3814; doi:10.3390/en8053794 --- Deng, X.; Yu, Y.; Liu, Y. Temporal and Spatial Variations in Provincial CO2 Emissions in China from 2005 to 2015 and Assessment of a Reduction Plan. Energies 2015, 8(5), 4549-4571; doi:10.3390/en8054549 --- Klimscheffskij, M.; Van Craenenbroeck, T.; Lehtovaara, M.; Lescot, D.; Tschernutter, A.; Raimundo, C.; Seebach, D.; Timpe, C. Residual Mix Calculation at the Heart of Reliable Electricity Disclosure in Europe—A Case Study on the Effect of the RE-DISS Project. Energies 2015, 8(6), 4667-4696; doi:10.3390/en8064667 --- Ferrara, R. The Smart City and the Green Economy in Europe: A Critical Approach. Energies 2015, 8(6), 4724-4734; doi:10.3390/en8064724 --- Stenner, K.; Nwokora, Z. Current and Future Friends of the Earth: Assessing Cross-National Theories of Environmental Attitudes. Energies 2015, 8(6), 4899-4919; doi:10.3390/en8064899 --- Atlason, R.; Oddsson, G.; Unnthorsson, R. Theorizing for Maintenance Management Improvements: Using Case Studies from the Icelandic Geothermal Sector. Energies 2015, 8(6), 4943-4962; doi:10.3390/en8064943 --- Ellenbeck, S.; Beneking, A.; Ceglarz, A.; Schmidt, P.; Battaglini, A. Security of Supply in European Electricity Markets—Determinants of Investment Decisions and the European Energy Union. Energies 2015, 8(6), 5198-5216; doi:10.3390/en8065198 --- Hasager, C.; Vincent, P.; Badger, J.; Badger, M.; Di Bella, A.; Peña, A.; Husson, R.; Volker, P. Using Satellite SAR to Characterize the Wind Flow around Offshore Wind Farms. Energies 2015, 8(6), 5413-5439; doi:10.3390/en8065413 --- Puigjaner, L.; Pérez-Fortes, M.; Laínez-Aguirre, J. Towards a Carbon-Neutral Energy Sector: Opportunities and Challenges of Coordinated Bioenergy Supply Chains-A PSE Approach. Energies 2015, 8(6), 5613-5660; doi:10.3390/en8065613 --- Thollander, P.; Palm, J. Industrial Energy Management Decision Making for Improved Energy Efficiency—Strategic System Perspectives and Situated Action in Combination. Energies 2015, 8(6), 5694-5703; doi:10.3390/en8065694 --- Jänicke, M. Horizontal and Vertical Reinforcement in Global Climate Governance. Energies 2015, 8(6), 5782-5799; doi:10.3390/en8065782 --- Benavides, C.; Gonzales, L.; Diaz, M.; Fuentes, R.; García, G.; Palma-Behnke, R.; Ravizza, C. Correction: The Impact of a Carbon Tax on the Chilean Electricity Generation Sector. Energies 2015, 8(6), 6247-6248; doi:10.3390/en8066247 --- Wang, W.; Ouyang, W.; Hao, F. A Supply-Chain Analysis Framework for Assessing Densified Biomass Solid Fuel Utilization Policies in China. Energies 2015, 8(7), 7122-7139; doi:10.3390/en8077122 --- Punys, P.; Dumbrauskas, A.; Kasiulis, E.; Vyčienė, G.; Šilinis, L. Flow Regime Changes: From Impounding a Temperate Lowland River to Small Hydropower Operations. Energies 2015, 8(7), 7478-7501; doi:10.3390/en8077478 --- Reid, G.; Wynn, G. The Future of Solar Power in the United Kingdom. Energies 2015, 8(8), 7818-7832; doi:10.3390/en8087818 --- Scott, C.; Sugg, Z. Global Energy Development and Climate-Induced Water Scarcity—Physical Limits, Sectoral Constraints, and Policy Imperatives. Energies 2015, 8(8), 8211-8225; doi:10.3390/en8088211 --- Lilliestam, J.; Patt, A. Barriers, Risks and Policies for Renewables in the Gulf States. Energies 2015, 8(8), 8263-8285; doi:10.3390/en8088263 --- Van Ackere, S.; Van Eetvelde, G.; Schillebeeckx, D.; Papa, E.; Van Wyngene, K.; Vandevelde, L. Wind Resource Mapping Using Landscape Roughness and Spatial Interpolation Methods. Energies 2015, 8(8), 8682-8703; doi:10.3390/en8088682 --- Komendantova, N.; Vocciante, M.; Battaglini, A. Can the BestGrid Process Improve Stakeholder Involvement in Electricity Transmission Projects?. Energies 2015, 8(9), 9407-9433; doi:10.3390/en8099407 --- Kiyar, D.; Wittneben, B. Carbon as Investment Risk—The Influence of Fossil Fuel Divestment on Decision Making at Germany’s Main Power Providers. Energies 2015, 8(9), 9620-9639; doi:10.3390/en8099620 --- Bernardes, L.; Carneiro, J.; Madureira, P.; Brandão, F.; Roque, C. Determination of Priority Study Areas for Coupling CO2 Storage and CH4 Gas Hydrates Recovery in the Portuguese Offshore Area. Energies 2015, 8(9), 10276-10292; doi:10.3390/en80910276 --- Dovì, V.; Battaglini, A. Energy Policy and Climate Change: A Multidisciplinary Approach to a Global Problem. Energies 2015, 8(12), 13473-13480; doi:10.3390/en81212379

Description / Table of Contents: The use of agent-based models (ABMs) and modelling for understanding landscape change and dynamics continues to grow. One reason for the popularity of ABMs is that they provide a framework to represent multiple, discrete, multi-faceted, heterogeneous actors (human or otherwise) and their relationships and interactions between one another and their environment, through time and across space. This special issue seeks to showcase innovative uses of ABMs for investigating and explaining landscape change and dynamics and to explore and identify how researchers in different disciplines can learn from one another to further innovate. Thus, this special issue will emphasise multidisciplinary dialogue between researchers using ABM in physical geography, hydrology, ecology, land change science, economics, alternative histories, archaeology, sociology, psychology and others. Innovation may come in the form of computational, conceptual, analytical, participatory or epistemological advances in the use of ABM for a range of aims and motivations associated with landscape change and dynamics. Modelling advances may include new ways of representing agent decisions and/or interactions, establishing and evaluating model structures and rules, presenting and visualising change, multi-scale analysis, comparative techniques, narrative methods, and more. The presentation of innovative agent-based modelling from diverse research backgrounds and perspectives will demonstrate opportunities for learning and enable dialogue to enhance future use of ABMs for understanding landscape change.

Description / Table of Contents: Belle, J.; Liu, Y. Evaluation of Aqua MODIS Collection 6 AOD Parameters for Air Quality Research over the Continental United States. Remote Sens. 2016, 8(10), 815; doi:10.3390/rs8100815. http://www.mdpi.com/2072-4292/8/10/815 --- Sun, K.; Chen, X.; Zhu, Z.; Zhang, T. High Resolution Aerosol Optical Depth Retrieval Using Gaofen-1 WFV Camera Data. Remote Sens. 2017, 9(1), 89; doi:10.3390/rs9010089. http://www.mdpi.com/2072-4292/9/1/89 --- Chen, X.; Yang, D.; Cai, Z.; Liu, Y.; Spurr, R. Aerosol Retrieval Sensitivity and Error Analysis for the Cloud and Aerosol Polarimetric Imager on Board TanSat: The Effect of Multi-Angle Measurement. Remote Sens. 2017, 9(2), 183; doi:10.3390/rs9020183. http://www.mdpi.com/2072-4292/9/2/183 --- Jiang, M.; Sun, W.; Yang, G.; Zhang, D. Modelling Seasonal GWR of Daily PM2.5 with Proper Auxiliary Variables for the Yangtze River Delta. Remote Sens. 2017, 9(4), 346; doi:10.3390/rs9040346. http://www.mdpi.com/2072-4292/9/4/346 --- Wang, Y.; Chen, L.; Li, S.; Wang, X.; Yu, C.; Si, Y.; Zhang, Z. Interference of Heavy Aerosol Loading on the VIIRS Aerosol Optical Depth (AOD) Retrieval Algorithm. Remote Sens. 2017, 9(4), 397; doi:10.3390/rs9040397. http://www.mdpi.com/2072-4292/9/4/397 --- Wang, W.; Mao, F.; Pan, Z.; Du, L.; Gong, W. Validation of VIIRS AOD through a Comparison with a Sun Photometer and MODIS AODs over Wuhan. Remote Sens. 2017, 9(5), 403; doi:10.3390/rs9050403. http://www.mdpi.com/2072-4292/9/5/403 --- Zhu, J.; Xia, X.; Wang, J.; Che, H.; Chen, H.; Zhang, J.; Xu, X.; Levy, R.; Oo, M.; Holz, R.; Ayoub, M. Evaluation of Aerosol Optical Depth and Aerosol Models from VIIRS Retrieval Algorithms over North China Plain. Remote Sens. 2017, 9(5), 432; doi:10.3390/rs9050432. http://www.mdpi.com/2072-4292/9/5/432 --- Dolgii, S.; Nevzorov, A.; Nevzorov, A.; Romanovskii, O.; Kharchenko, O. Intercomparison of Ozone Vertical Profile Measurements by Differential Absorption Lidar and IASI/MetOp Satellite in the Upper Troposphere–Lower Stratosphere. Remote Sens. 2017, 9(5), 447; doi:10.3390/rs9050447. http://www.mdpi.com/2072-4292/9/5/447 --- Liu, L.; Zhang, X.; Xu, W.; Liu, X.; Lu, X.; Wang, S.; Zhang, W.; Zhao, L. Ground Ammonia Concentrations over China Derived from Satellite and Atmospheric Transport Modeling. Remote Sens. 2017, 9(5), 467; doi:10.3390/rs9050467. http://www.mdpi.com/2072-4292/9/5/467 --- Chen, W.; Fan, A.; Yan, L. Performance of MODIS C6 Aerosol Product during Frequent Haze-Fog Events: A Case Study of Beijing. Remote Sens. 2017, 9(5), 496; doi:10.3390/rs9050496. http://www.mdpi.com/2072-4292/9/5/496 --- Osorio, M.; Casaballe, N.; Belsterli, G.; Barreto, M.; Gómez, Á.; Ferrari, J.; Frins, E. Plume Segmentation from UV Camera Images for SO2 Emission Rate Quantification on Cloud Days. Remote Sens. 2017, 9(6), 517; doi:10.3390/rs9060517. http://www.mdpi.com/2072-4292/9/6/517 --- Gu, J.; Chen, L.; Yu, C.; Li, S.; Tao, J.; Fan, M.; Xiong, X.; Wang, Z.; Shang, H.; Su, L. Ground-Level NO2 Concentrations over China Inferred from the Satellite OMI and CMAQ Model Simulations. Remote Sens. 2017, 9(6), 519; doi:10.3390/rs9060519. http://www.mdpi.com/2072-4292/9/6/519 --- Wang, Y.; Wang, J.; Levy, R.; Xu, X.; Reid, J. MODIS Retrieval of Aerosol Optical Depth over Turbid Coastal Water. Remote Sens. 2017, 9(6), 595; doi:10.3390/rs9060595. http://www.mdpi.com/2072-4292/9/6/595 --- Kim, D.; Lee, H.; Hong, H.; Choi, W.; Lee, Y.; Park, J. Estimation of Surface NO2 Volume Mixing Ratio in Four Metropolitan Cities in Korea Using Multiple Regression Models with OMI and AIRS Data. Remote Sens. 2017, 9(6), 627; doi:10.3390/rs9060627. http://www.mdpi.com/2072-4292/9/6/627 --- Qu, Y.; Han, Y.; Wu, Y.; Gao, P.; Wang, T. Study of PBLH and Its Correlation with Particulate Matter from One-Year Observation over Nanjing, Southeast China. Remote Sens. 2017, 9(7), 668; doi:10.3390/rs9070668. http://www.mdpi.com/2072-4292/9/7/668 --- Tosca, M.; Campbell, J.; Garay, M.; Lolli, S.; Seidel, F.; Marquis, J.; Kalashnikova, O. Attributing Accelerated Summertime Warming in the Southeast United States to Recent Reductions in Aerosol Burden: Indications from Vertically-Resolved Observations. Remote Sens. 2017, 9(7), 674; doi:10.3390/rs9070674. http://www.mdpi.com/2072-4292/9/7/674 --- Tao, M.; Wang, Z.; Tao, J.; Chen, L.; Wang, J.; Hou, C.; Wang, L.; Xu, X.; Zhu, H. How Do Aerosol Properties Affect the Temporal Variation of MODIS AOD Bias in Eastern China?. Remote Sens. 2017, 9(8), 800; doi:10.3390/rs9080800. http://www.mdpi.com/2072-4292/9/8/800 --- Wang, W.; Mao, F.; Du, L.; Pan, Z.; Gong, W.; Fang, S. Deriving Hourly PM2.5 Concentrations from Himawari-8 AODs over Beijing–Tianjin–Hebei in China. Remote Sens. 2017, 9(8), 858; doi:10.3390/rs9080858. http://www.mdpi.com/2072-4292/9/8/858 --- Yuchechen, A.; Lakkis, S.; Canziani, P. Linear and Non-Linear Trends for Seasonal NO2 and SO2 Concentrations in the Southern Hemisphere (2004−2016). Remote Sens. 2017, 9(9), 891; doi:10.3390/rs9090891. http://www.mdpi.com/2072-4292/9/9/891 --- Qin, K.; Rao, L.; Xu, J.; Bai, Y.; Zou, J.; Hao, N.; Li, S.; Yu, C. Estimating Ground Level NO2 Concentrations over Central-Eastern China Using a Satellite-Based Geographically and Temporally Weighted Regression Model. Remote Sens. 2017, 9(9), 950; doi:10.3390/rs9090950. http://www.mdpi.com/2072-4292/9/9/950

Description / Table of Contents: Fu, R.; Wu, Y.; Wang, H.; Xie, J. A Distributed Control Strategy for Frequency Regulation in Smart Grids Based on the Consensus Protocol. Energies 2015, 8(8), 7930-7944; doi:10.3390/en8087930. http://www.mdpi.com/1996-1073/8/8/7930 --- Chae, W.; Lee, H.; Won, J.; Park, J.; Kim, J. Design and Field Tests of an Inverted Based Remote MicroGrid on a Korean Island. Energies 2015, 8(8), 8193-8210; doi:10.3390/en8088193. http://www.mdpi.com/1996-1073/8/8/8193 --- Nguyen, T.; Yoo, H.; Kim, H. Application of Model Predictive Control to BESS for Microgrid Control. Energies 2015, 8(8), 8798-8813; doi:10.3390/en8088798. http://www.mdpi.com/1996-1073/8/8/8798 --- Jung, S.; Jang, G. Development of an Optimal Power Control Scheme for Wave-Offshore Hybrid Generation Systems. Energies 2015, 8(9), 9009-9028; doi:10.3390/en8099009. http://www.mdpi.com/1996-1073/8/9/9009 --- Yang, Y.; Zhang, W.; Jiang, J.; Huang, M.; Niu, L. Optimal Scheduling of a Battery Energy Storage System with Electric Vehicles’ Auxiliary for a Distribution Network with Renewable Energy Integration. Energies 2015, 8(10), 10718-10735; doi:10.3390/en81010718. http://www.mdpi.com/1996-1073/8/10/10718 --- Xia, H.; Chen, H.; Yang, Z.; Lin, F.; Wang, B. Optimal Energy Management, Location and Size for Stationary Energy Storage System in a Metro Line Based on Genetic Algorithm. Energies 2015, 8(10), 11618-11640; doi:10.3390/en81011618. http://www.mdpi.com/1996-1073/8/10/11618 --- Telaretti, E.; Ippolito, M.; Dusonchet, L. A Simple Operating Strategy of Small-Scale Battery Energy Storages for Energy Arbitrage under Dynamic Pricing Tariffs. Energies 2016, 9(1), 12; doi:10.3390/en9010012. http://www.mdpi.com/1996-1073/9/1/12 --- Gelažanskas, L.; Gamage, K. Distributed Energy Storage Using Residential Hot Water Heaters. Energies 2016, 9(3), 127; doi:10.3390/en9030127. http://www.mdpi.com/1996-1073/9/3/127 --- Pietrosanti, S.; Holderbaum, W.; Becerra, V. Optimal Power Management Strategy for Energy Storage with Stochastic Loads. Energies 2016, 9(3), 175; doi:10.3390/en9030175. http://www.mdpi.com/1996-1073/9/3/175 --- Lin, F.; Li, X.; Zhao, Y.; Yang, Z. Control Strategies with Dynamic Threshold Adjustment for Supercapacitor Energy Storage System Considering the Train and Substation Characteristics in Urban Rail Transit. Energies 2016, 9(4), 257; doi:10.3390/en9040257. http://www.mdpi.com/1996-1073/9/4/257 --- Bruen, T.; Hooper, J.; Marco, J.; Gama, M.; Chouchelamane, G. Analysis of a Battery Management System (BMS) Control Strategy for Vibration Aged Nickel Manganese Cobalt Oxide (NMC) Lithium-Ion 18650 Battery Cells. Energies 2016, 9(4), 255; doi:10.3390/en9040255. http://www.mdpi.com/1996-1073/9/4/255 --- Chung, Y. A Novel Power-Saving Transmission Scheme for Multiple-Component-Carrier Cellular Systems. Energies 2016, 9(4), 265; doi:10.3390/en9040265. http://www.mdpi.com/1996-1073/9/4/265 --- Zangs, M.; Adams, P.; Yunusov, T.; Holderbaum, W.; Potter, B. Distributed Energy Storage Control for Dynamic Load Impact Mitigation. Energies 2016, 9(8), 647; doi:10.3390/en9080647. http://www.mdpi.com/1996-1073/9/8/647 --- Zhao, Z.; Sun, Y.; Hu, A.; Dai, X.; Tang, C. Energy Link Optimization in a Wireless Power Transfer Grid under Energy Autonomy Based on the Improved Genetic Algorithm. Energies 2016, 9(9), 682; doi:10.3390/en9090682. http://www.mdpi.com/1996-1073/9/9/682 --- Gatta, F.; Geri, A.; Lamedica, R.; Lauria, S.; Maccioni, M.; Palone, F.; Rebolini, M.; Ruvio, A. Application of a LiFePO4 Battery Energy Storage System to Primary Frequency Control: Simulations and Experimental Results. Energies 2016, 9(11), 887; doi:10.3390/en9110887. http://www.mdpi.com/1996-1073/9/11/887 --- Kies, A.; Schyska, B.; von Bremen, L. The Demand Side Management Potential to Balance a Highly Renewable European Power System. Energies 2016, 9(11), 955; doi:10.3390/en9110955. http://www.mdpi.com/1996-1073/9/11/955 --- Yang, J.; Choi, J.; An, G.; Choi, Y.; Kim, M.; Won, D. Optimal Scheduling and Real-Time State-of-Charge Management of Energy Storage System for Frequency Regulation. Energies 2016, 9(12), 1010; doi:10.3390/en9121010. http://www.mdpi.com/1996-1073/9/12/1010 --- Gao, Z.; Chin, C.; Woo, W.; Jia, J. Integrated Equivalent Circuit and Thermal Model for Simulation of Temperature-Dependent LiFePO4 Battery in Actual Embedded Application. Energies 2017, 10(1), 85; doi:10.3390/en10010085. http://www.mdpi.com/1996-1073/10/1/85 --- Yunusov, T.; Zangs, M.; Holderbaum, W. Control of Energy Storage. Energies 2017, 10(7), 1010; doi:10.3390/en10071010. http://www.mdpi.com/1996-1073/10/7/1010

Description / Table of Contents: There is ample evidence that the push for biomass as an alternative source of renewable energy to replace fossil fuels for heating and power generation is much greater than expected. There is a huge gap between the present contribution and the committed part of renewables for the majority of world countries. The uptake of renewables in general, and biomass in particular, is still considered somewhat risky due to the lack of best practice examples to demonstrate how efficient the technology is today.

Description / Table of Contents: Taravat, A.; Rajaei, M.; Emadodin, I.; Hasheminejad, H.; Mousavian, R.; Biniyaz, E. A Spaceborne Multisensory, Multitemporal Approach to Monitor Water Level and Storage Variations of Lakes. Water 2016, 8(11), 478; https://doi.org/10.3390/w8110478 --- Paillou, P. Mapping Palaeohydrography in Deserts: Contribution from Space-Borne Imaging Radar. Water 2017, 9(3), 194; https://doi.org/10.3390/w9030194 --- Jiang, L.; Schneider, R.; Andersen, O.; Bauer-Gottwein, P. CryoSat-2 Altimetry Applications over Rivers and Lakes. Water 2017, 9(3), 211; https://doi.org/10.3390/w9030211 --- Polishchuk, Y.; Bogdanov, A.; Polishchuk, V.; Manasypov, R.; Shirokova, L.; Kirpotin, S.; Pokrovsky, O. Size Distribution, Surface Coverage, Water, Carbon, and Metal Storage of Thermokarst Lakes in the Permafrost Zone of the Western Siberia Lowland. Water 2017, 9(3), 228; https://doi.org/10.3390/w9030228 --- Salameh, E.; Frappart, F.; Papa, F.; Güntner, A.; Venugopal, V.; Getirana, A.; Prigent, C.; Aires, F.; Labat, D.; Laignel, B. Fifteen Years (1993–2007) of Surface Freshwater Storage Variability in the Ganges-Brahmaputra River Basin Using Multi-Satellite Observations. Water 2017, 9(4), 245; https://doi.org/10.3390/w9040245 --- Springer, A.; Eicker, A.; Bettge, A.; Kusche, J.; Hense, A. Evaluation of the Water Cycle in the European COSMO-REA6 Reanalysis Using GRACE. Water 2017, 9(4), 289; https://doi.org/10.3390/w9040289 --- Parrens, M.; Al Bitar, A.; Frappart, F.; Papa, F.; Calmant, S.; Crétaux, J.; Wigneron, J.; Kerr, Y. Mapping Dynamic Water Fraction under the Tropical Rain Forests of the Amazonian Basin from SMOS Brightness Temperatures. Water 2017, 9(5), 350; https://doi.org/10.3390/w9050350 --- Pham-Duc, B.; Prigent, C.; Aires, F. Surface Water Monitoring within Cambodia and the Vietnamese Mekong Delta over a Year, with Sentinel-1 SAR Observations. Water 2017, 9(6), 366; https://doi.org/10.3390/w9060366 --- Nielsen, K.; Stenseng, L.; Andersen, O.; Knudsen, P. The Performance and Potentials of the CryoSat-2 SAR and SARIn Modes for Lake Level Estimation. Water 2017, 9(6), 374; https://doi.org/10.3390/w9060374 --- Nguyen, D.; Wagner, W. European Rice Cropland Mapping with Sentinel-1 Data: The Mediterranean Region Case Study. Water 2017, 9(6), 392; https://doi.org/10.3390/w9060392 --- Ferrara, C.; Lega, M.; Fusco, G.; Bishop, P.; Endreny, T. Characterization of Terrestrial Discharges into Coastal Waters with Thermal Imagery from a Hierarchical Monitoring Program. Water 2017, 9(7), 500; https://doi.org/10.3390/w9070500 --- Shen, H.; Leblanc, M.; Frappart, F.; Seoane, L.; O’Grady, D.; Olioso, A.; Tweed, S. A Comparative Study of GRACE with Continental Evapotranspiration Estimates in Australian Semi-Arid and Arid Basins: Sensitivity to Climate Variability and Extremes. Water 2017, 9(9), 614; https://doi.org/10.3390/w9090614 --- Erazo, B.; Bourrel, L.; Frappart, F.; Chimborazo, O.; Labat, D.; Dominguez-Granda, L.; Matamoros, D.; Mejia, R. Validation of Satellite Estimates (Tropical Rainfall Measuring Mission, TRMM) for Rainfall Variability over the Pacific Slope and Coast of Ecuador. Water 2018, 10(2), 213; https://doi.org/10.3390/w10020213

Description / Table of Contents: Kuwahara, Y.; Liu, W.; Makio, M.; Otsuka, K. In Situ AFM Study of Crystal Growth on a Barite (001) Surface in BaSO4 Solutions at 30 °C. Minerals 2016, 6(4), 117; https://doi.org/10.3390/min6040117 --- Evans, J. Polymorphs, Proteins, and Nucleation Theory: A Critical Analysis. Minerals 2017, 7(4), 62; https://doi.org/10.3390/min7040062 --- Ochiai, A.; Utsunomiya, S. Crystal Chemistry and Stability of Hydrated Rare-Earth Phosphates Formed at Room Temperature. Minerals 2017, 7(5), 84; https://doi.org/10.3390/min7050084 --- Jones, F. Crystallization of Jarosite with Variable Al3+ Content: The Transition to Alunite. Minerals 2017, 7(6), 90; https://doi.org/10.3390/min7060090 --- Bacsik, Z.; Zhang, P.; Hedin, N. Ammonium-Carbamate-Rich Organogels for the Preparation of Amorphous Calcium Carbonates. Minerals 2017, 7(7), 110; https://doi.org/10.3390/min7070110 --- Harris, J.; Wolf, S. Desiccator Volume: A Vital Yet Ignored Parameter in CaCO3 Crystallization by the Ammonium Carbonate Diffusion Method. Minerals 2017, 7(7), 122; https://doi.org/10.3390/min7070122 --- Burgos-Cara, A.; Putnis, C.; Rodriguez-Navarro, C.; Ruiz-Agudo, E. Hydration Effects on the Stability of Calcium Carbonate Pre-Nucleation Species. Minerals 2017, 7(7), 126; https://doi.org/10.3390/min7070126 --- Ross, J.; Gao, L.; Meouch, O.; Anthony, E.; Sutarwala, D.; Mamo, H.; Omelon, S. Carbonate Apatite Precipitation from Synthetic Municipal Wastewater. Minerals 2017, 7(8), 129; https://doi.org/10.3390/min7080129 --- Kezuka, Y.; Kawai, K.; Eguchi, K.; Tajika, M. Fabrication of Single-Crystalline Calcite Needle-Like Particles Using the Aragonite–Calcite Phase Transition. Minerals 2017, 7(8), 133; https://doi.org/10.3390/min7080133 --- Pastero, L.; Bruno, M.; Aquilano, D. About the Genetic Mechanisms of Apatites: A Survey on the Methodological Approaches. Minerals 2017, 7(8), 139; https://doi.org/10.3390/min7080139 --- Ossorio, M.; Stawski, T.; Rodríguez-Blanco, J.; Sleutel, M.; García-Ruiz, J.; Benning, L.; Van Driessche, A. Physicochemical and Additive Controls on the Multistep Precipitation Pathway of Gypsum. Minerals 2017, 7(8), 140; https://doi.org/10.3390/min7080140 --- Zeng, C.; Vitale-Sullivan, C.; Ma, X. In Situ Atomic Force Microscopy Studies on Nucleation and Self-Assembly of Biogenic and Bio-Inspired Materials. Minerals 2017, 7(9), 158; https://doi.org/10.3390/min7090158 --- Gruber, D.; Wolf, S.; Hoyt, A.; Konsek, J.; Cölfen, H. A Micro-Comb Test System for In Situ Investigation of Infiltration and Crystallization Processes. Minerals 2017, 7(10), 187; https://doi.org/10.3390/min7100187 --- Kröger, R.; Verch, A. Liquid Cell Transmission Electron Microscopy and the Impact of Confinement on the Precipitation from Supersaturated Solutions. Minerals 2018, 8(1), 21; https://doi.org/10.3390/min8010021 --- Ibsen, C.; Birkedal, H. Pyrophosphate-Inhibition of Apatite Formation Studied by In Situ X-Ray Diffraction. Minerals 2018, 8(2), 65; https://doi.org/10.3390/min8020065 --- Opel, J.; Kellermeier, M.; Sickinger, A.; Morales, J.; Cölfen, H.; García-Ruiz, J. Structural Transition of Inorganic Silica–Carbonate Composites Towards Curved Lifelike Morphologies. Minerals 2018, 8(2), 75; https://doi.org/10.3390/min8020075 --- Gebauer, D.; Jansson, K.; Oliveberg, M.; Hedin, N. Indications that Amorphous Calcium Carbonates Occur in Pathological Mineralisation—A Urinary Stone from a Guinea Pig. Minerals 2018, 8(3), 84; https://doi.org/10.3390/min8030084 --- Gebauer, D. Editorial for Special Issue “Nucleation of Minerals: Precursors, Intermediates and Their Use in Materials Chemistry”. Minerals 2018, 8(6), 239; https://doi.org/10.3390/min8060239

Description / Table of Contents: Forecasting is a vital tool for local health and air quality managers to make informed short-term decisions on remedial and mitigation measures to reduce exposure risks for their residents. Forecasting tools enable them to issue air quality advisories to curb pollution by limiting vehicular traffic by encouraging car-pooling and offering free public transportation. Air quality monitoring from the perspective of air managers serves a dual purpose of evaluating the skill of their forecasting tools and deriving long-term trends of major air pollutants that impact their constituents. Epidemiologists also use long term monitored data to understand air pollution related diseases and mortality rates to support public health policy decisions. This Special Issue reinforces the importance of these tools by leveraging their collective strengths. Public health is under a constant threat by air pollution across the world in various degrees and manifestations. In some countries with rapid economic growth the abrupt increased occurrences of poor air quality over cities and their downwind regions are attracting worldwide attention. The adverse health effects suffered by the public are reflected in billions of dollars in lost productivity, hospital admissions due to contraction and exacerbation of respiratory, asthmatic and cardiovascular diseases, and increases in mortality rates. This is especially true in rapidly developing countries. On the other hand, many cities in developed countries are seeing changes in their atmospheric chemical regimes from nitrogen oxide (NOx) saturated regimes towards NOx limiting regimes. Furthermore, ozone and ozone precursors transported from areas upwind become important source of “background ozone” as local generation of ozone plays a lesser role due to reduced NOx emissions in the developed countries. It is now clear that air pollution is a global problem and that air quality monitoring, forecasting and mitigation should be a local effort conducted in concert with global partners.

Description / Table of Contents: Barr, B. “An ounce of Prevention is Worth a Pound of Cure”: Adopting Landscape-Level Precautionary Approaches to Preserve Arctic Coastal Heritage Resources. Resources 2017, 6(2), 18; https://doi.org/10.3390/resources6020018 --- Bickford, N.; Smith, L.; Bickford, S.; Bice, M.; Ranglack, D.H. Evaluating the Role of CSR and SLO in Ecotourism: Collaboration for Economic and Environmental Sustainability of Arctic Resources. Resources 2017, 6(2), 21; https://doi.org/10.3390/resources6020021 --- Manley, B.; Elliot, S.; Jacobs, S. Expedition Cruising in the Canadian Arctic: Visitor Motives and the Influence of Education Programming on Knowledge, Attitudes, and Behaviours. Resources 2017, 6(3), 23; https://doi.org/10.3390/resources6030023 --- Johnston, M.; Dawson, J.; Maher, P. Strategic Development Challenges in Marine Tourism in Nunavut. Resources 2017, 6(3), 25; https://doi.org/10.3390/resources6030025 --- Bystrowska, M.; Wigger, K.; Liggett, D. The Use of Information and Communication Technology (ICT) in Managing High Arctic Tourism Sites: A Collective Action Perspective. Resources 2017, 6(3), 33; https://doi.org/10.3390/resources6030033 --- Aase, J. The Ortelius Incident in the Hinlopen Strait—A Case Study on How Satellite-Based AIS Can Support Search and Rescue Operations in Remote Waters. Resources 2017, 6(3), 35; https://doi.org/10.3390/resources6030035 --- Stewart, E.; Espiner, S.; Liggett, D.; Taylor, Z. The Forgotten Islands: Monitoring Tourist Numbers and Managing Tourism Impacts on New Zealand’s Subantarctic Islands. Resources 2017, 6(3), 38; https://doi.org/10.3390/resources6030038 --- Huijbens, E.; Lamers, M. Sustainable Tourism and Natural Resource Conservation in the Polar Regions: An Editorial. Resources 2017, 6(3), 45; https://doi.org/10.3390/resources6030045

Description / Table of Contents: Ou, X.; Yuan, Z.; Peng, T.; Sun, Z.; Zhou, S. The Low-Carbon Transition toward Sustainability of Regional Coal-Dominated Energy Consumption Structure: A Case of Hebei Province in China. Sustainability 2017, 9(7), 1184; https://doi.org/10.3390/su9071184 --- Ahmed, K. Designing Sustainable Urban Social Housing in the United Arab Emirates. Sustainability 2017, 9(8), 1413; https://doi.org/10.3390/su9081413 --- Bhikhoo, N.; Hashemi, A.; Cruickshank, H. Improving Thermal Comfort of Low-Income Housing in Thailand through Passive Design Strategies. Sustainability 2017, 9(8), 1440; https://doi.org/10.3390/su9081440 --- Pianella, A.; Aye, L.; Chen, Z.; Williams, N. Substrate Depth, Vegetation and Irrigation Affect Green Roof Thermal Performance in a Mediterranean Type Climate. Sustainability 2017, 9(8), 1451; https://doi.org/10.3390/su9081451 --- Ozarisoy, B.; Altan, H. Adoption of Energy Design Strategies for Retrofitting Mass Housing Estates in Northern Cyprus. Sustainability 2017, 9(8), 1477; https://doi.org/10.3390/su9081477 --- Nebia, B.; Tabet Aoul, K. Overheating and Daylighting; Assessment Tool in Early Design of London’s High-Rise Residential Buildings. Sustainability 2017, 9(9), 1544; https://doi.org/10.3390/su9091544 --- Haggag, M.; Hassan, A.; Qadir, G. Energy and Economic Performance of Plant-Shaded Building Façade in Hot Arid Climate. Sustainability 2017, 9(11), 2026; https://doi.org/10.3390/su9112026 --- Mushtaha, E.; Ayssar Nahlé, R.; Bin Saifan, M.; Altan, H. The impact of Lighting on Vandalism in Hot Climates: The Case of the Abu Shagara Vandalised Corridor in Sharjah, United Arab Emirates. Sustainability 2017, 9(11), 2040; https://doi.org/10.3390/su9112040 --- Ma, N.; Chau, H.; Zhou, J.; Noguchi, M. Structuring the Environmental Experience Design Research Framework through Selected Aged Care Facility Data Analyses in Victoria. Sustainability 2017, 9(12), 2172; https://doi.org/10.3390/su9122172 --- Attoye, D.; Tabet Aoul, K.; Hassan, A. A Review on Building Integrated Photovoltaic Façade Customization Potentials. Sustainability 2017, 9(12), 2287; https://doi.org/10.3390/su9122287

Description / Table of Contents: Dostal, J. Rare Earth Element Deposits of Alkaline Igneous Rocks. Resources 2017, 6(3), 34; https://doi.org/10.3390/resources6030034 --- Catlos, E.; Miller, N. Speculations Linking Monazite Compositions to Origin: Llallagua Tin Ore Deposit (Bolivia). Resources 2017, 6(3), 36; https://doi.org/10.3390/resources6030036 --- Smith, Y.; Kumar, P.; McLennan, J. On the Extraction of Rare Earth Elements from Geothermal Brines. Resources 2017, 6(3), 39; https://doi.org/10.3390/resources6030039 --- McLeod, C.; Krekeler, M. Sources of Extraterrestrial Rare Earth Elements: To the Moon and Beyond. Resources 2017, 6(3), 40; https://doi.org/10.3390/resources6030040 --- Chen, W.; Honghui, H.; Bai, T.; Jiang, S. Geochemistry of Monazite within Carbonatite Related REE Deposits. Resources 2017, 6(4), 51; https://doi.org/10.3390/resources6040051 --- Machacek, E.; Richter, J.; Lane, R. Governance and Risk–Value Constructions in Closing Loops of Rare Earth Elements in Global Value Chains. Resources 2017, 6(4), 59; https://doi.org/10.3390/resources6040059 --- McLemore, V. Rare Earth Elements (REE) Deposits Associated with Great Plain Margin Deposits (Alkaline-Related), Southwestern United States and Eastern Mexico. Resources 2018, 7(1), 8; https://doi.org/10.3390/resources7010008 --- Jowitt, S. Introduction to a Resources Special Issue on Criticality of the Rare Earth Elements: Current and Future Sources and Recycling. Resources 2018, 7(2), 35; https://doi.org/10.3390/resources7020035

Description / Table of Contents: Estimating River Depth from SWOT-Type Observables Obtained by Satellite Altimetry and Imagery / Water 2017, 9(10), 753; https://doi.org/10.3390/w9100753 --- Local- and Plot-Scale Measurements of Soil Moisture: Time and Spatially Resolved Field Techniques in Plain, Hill and Mountain Sites / Water 2017, 9(9), 706; https://doi.org/10.3390/w9090706 --- Snow Precipitation Measured by Gauges: Systematic Error Estimation and Data Series Correction in the Central Italian Alps / Water 2017, 9(7), 461; https://doi.org/10.3390/w9070461 --- Discharge Measurements of Snowmelt Flood by Space-Time Image Velocimetry during the Night Using Far-Infrared Camera / Water 2017, 9(4), 269; https://doi.org/10.3390/w9040269 --- Soil Moisture for Hydrological Applications: Open Questions and New Opportunities / Water 2017, 9(2), 140; https://doi.org/10.3390/w9020140 --- From Surface Flow Velocity Measurements to Discharge Assessment by the Entropy Theory / Water 2017, 9(2), 120; https://doi.org/10.3390/w9020120 --- Space–Time Characterization of Rainfall Field in Tuscany / Water 2017, 9(2), 86; https://doi.org/10.3390/w9020086 --- An Integrated Approach for Site Selection of Snow Measurement Stations / Water 2016, 8(11), 539; https://doi.org/10.3390/w8110539 --- Rainfall Characteristics and Regionalization in Peninsular Malaysia Based on a High Resolution Gridded Data Set / Water 2016, 8(11), 500; https://doi.org/10.3390/w8110500 --- Spatial Patterns and Influence Factors of Conversion Coefficients between Two Typical Pan Evaporimeters in China / Water 2016, 8(10), 422; https://doi.org/10.3390/w8100422 --- Daily Precipitation Changes over Large River Basins in China, 1960–2013 / Water 2016, 8(5), 185; https://doi.org/10.3390/w8050185

Description / Table of Contents: The reversible elimination of hydrogen from metal hydrides serves as the basis for unique methods of energy transformation. This technology has found widespread practical utilization in applications such as hydrogen compressors, storage, and sensors, as well as batteries. Moreover, it is plausible that metal hydride technology could be utilized to provide practically viable solutions to the challenges of energy storage. For nearly two decades, an extensive, worldwide research effort has been devoted to complex metal hydrides possessing high volumetric and/or gravimetric hydrogen densities with the goal of their practical utilization as onboard hydrogen storage materials. Additionally, a significant and growing number of efforts have been devoted to developing metal hydrides as advanced sensors and ionic conductors, and for electrochemical and stationary energy storage. This Special Issue will provide a sampling of on-going, state-of-art research on metal hydrides, ranging from fundamental investigations to practical applications with a concentration on topics which are currently of high interest.

Description / Table of Contents: China’s road to sustainability has attracted global attention. Since the “Reform & Opening Up” policy, China’s rapid pace of both urbanization and industrialization has made its being the second largesteconomy but meantime a heavy environmental price has been paid over the past few decades for addressing the economic developmental target. Today, as the biggest developing country, China needs to take more responsibilities for constructing its local ecological-civilization society as well as for addressingthe global challenges such as climate change, resources scary and human beings well-fare; therefore, weneed to have deeper understandings into China’s way to sustainability at very different levels, bothspatially and structurally, concerns ranging from generating sustainable household livelihoods to globalclimate change, from developing technological applications to generate institutional changes. In thisspirit, this publication, “Sustainability in China: Bridging Global Knowledge with Local Action” aims to investigate the intended and spontaneous issues concerning China’s road to sustainability in a combined top-down and bottom-up manner, linking international knowledge to local-based studies.

Description / Table of Contents: Managed Aquifer Recharge (MAR) and water banking are of increasing importance to water resources management. MAR can be used to buffer against drought and changing or variable climate, as well as provide water to meet demand growth, by making use of excess surface water supplies and recycled waters. Along with hydrologic and geologic considerations, economic and policy analyses are essential to a complete analysis of MAR and water banking opportunities. The papers included in this Special Issue fill a gap in the literature by revealing the range of economic and policy considerations relevant to the development and implementation of MAR programs. They illustrate novel techniques that can be used to select MAR locations and the importance and economic viability of MAR in semi-arid to arid environments. The studies explain how MAR can be utilized to meet municipal and agricultural water demands in water-scarce regions, as well as assist in the reuse of wastewater. Some papers demonstrate how stakeholder engagement, ranging from consideration of alternatives to monitoring, and multi-disciplinary analyses to support decision-making are of high value to development and implementation of MAR programs. The approaches discussed in this collection of papers, along with the complementary and necessary hydrologic and geologic analyses, provide important inputs to water resource managers.

Description / Table of Contents: The earth is experiencing the adverse effect of climate change. In response to growing global warming issues and the constant increase of energy prices, house-builders and housing manufacturers today are becoming more responsive to the delivery of net zero energy and carbon dioxide emission sustainable homes than ever. Within this context, the sustainability may embrace housing economy and adequacy beyond the legitimacy in which the quality barely coincides with individuals' dynamic various needs, desires and expectations. In this special issue, "mass customisation" is reviewed being considered as a paradoxical concept which has been recognised as a means to lessen production costs of end-user products whilst achieving the customisability through economies of scope rather than economies of scale. Nevertheless, the housing industry's business operation tends to follow routines and the close system mode of operation often hinders the enterprises from adopting unfamiliar inn ovations which may be inevitable in realising the delivery and operation of socially, economically and environmentally sustainable homes. In order to deliver a marketable and replicable zero energy/emission mass custom home, or ZEMCH, the strategic balance between the optional and standard features seems to be critical. The optional features may be provided with the aim to enhance design quality (or customizability) that helps contribute to satisfying desires and expectations of individual stakeholders. The standard equipment, on the other hand, needs to be installed in buildings as it aims to exceed product quality whose levels can be adjusted in conjunction with societal demands and requirements. This edition encompasses a wide spectrum of hopes and fears around the design, production and marketing approaches to the ZEMCH delivery and operation, and showcases some exemplars budding out in different climates around the globe.

Description / Table of Contents: As the fields of organometallic and coordination chemistry of the transition metals has grown more mature, the under-explored chemistry of the rare-earths and actinides has drawn the attention of research groups from across the globe looking for new fundamental discoveries and access to compounds with unique properties. The rare earths – the group 3 metals and the 4f lanthanide series – have long shown many interesting properties in the solid state which exploit their unique electronic configurations. However, it is the molecular chemistry of these metals that has expanded dramatically in recent years as researchers identify the differences between – and unique features of – their molecular compounds. Recent highlights include the identification of new oxidation states and patterns of reactivity as well as applications in medical imaging and health care which represent new and exciting areas of research. The actinides show a wide range of different properties as a consequence of their radioactivity and radiochemistry, but this has not stopped recent rapid progress into the exploration of their unique chemistry. Uranium, in particular, shows huge potential with its transition metal like range of oxidation states (+2 to +6), and in specialised laboratories, the heavier actinides are also beginning to show their unique chemistry as well. This Special Issue aims to bring together these strands of research in an openly-accessible way to allow better communication of these advances to a wider audience. This is necessary as despite these exciting advances, the rare earths and actinides are still much neglected topics in both school and undergraduate curriculums.

Description / Table of Contents: The present Special Issue intends to explore new directions in the field of acoustics and ultrasonics. The interest includes, but is not limited to, the use of acoustic technology for condition monitoring of materials and structures. (The basis of this issue comes from selected papers of the 6th International Conference on Emerging Technologies in Non-destructive Testing, ETNDT6 held in Brussels May 27-29th, 2015).

Description / Table of Contents: Atmospheric particulate matter (PM) is known to have far-ranging impacts, from human health to climate forcing. The characterization of emission sources and the quantification of specific source impacts to PM concentrations significantly enhance our understanding of and our ability to eventually predict the fate and transport of atmospheric PM and its associated impacts on humans and the environment. The source apportionment of PM has been realized through combinations of chemical analysis (of elemental tracers, particle size, isotopic composition, and organic composition via unique tracers and molecular fingerprints) and numerical modeling (e.g., diagnostic source ratios, chemical mass balance modeling, positive matrix factorization, and Monte Carlo simulations). Recent advances in source apportionment applications have contributed unique combinations of chemical and numerical techniques for determining the contributions of specific sources, including diesel exhaust and biomass burning. These advances also identify and help characterize the contributions of previously uncharacterized sources. Numerical modeling has also enabled estimations of contributions of emission sources to atmospherically processed PM in urban and rural regions.

Description / Table of Contents: Chen, K.; Zamora, N.; Babeyko, A.; Li, X.; Ge, M. Precise Positioning of BDS, BDS/GPS: Implications for Tsunami Early Warning in South China Sea. Remote Sensing 2015, 7(12), 15955-15968; doi:10.3390/rs71215814 --- Cianflone, G.; Tolomei, C.; Brunori, C.; Dominici, R. InSAR Time Series Analysis of Natural and Anthropogenic Coastal Plain Subsidence: The Case of Sibari (Southern Italy). Remote Sensing 2015, 7(12), 16004-16023; doi:10.3390/rs71215812 --- Kropáček, J.; Vařilová, Z.; Baroň, I.; Bhattacharya, A.; Eberle, J.; Hochschild, V. Remote Sensing for Characterisation and Kinematic Analysis of Large Slope Failures: Debre Sina Landslide, Main Ethiopian Rift Escarpment. Remote Sensing 2015, 7(12), 16183-16203; doi:10.3390/rs71215821 --- Pacheco-Martínez, J.; Cabral-Cano, E.; Wdowinski, S.; Hernández-Marín, M.; Ortiz-Lozano, J.; Zermeño-de-León, M. Application of InSAR and Gravimetry for Land Subsidence Hazard Zoning in Aguascalientes, Mexico. Remote Sensing 2015, 7(12), 17035-17050; doi:10.3390/rs71215868 --- Al-Rawabdeh, A.; He, F.; Moussa, A.; El-Sheimy, N.; Habib, A. Using an Unmanned Aerial Vehicle-Based Digital Imaging System to Derive a 3D Point Cloud for Landslide Scarp Recognition. Remote Sensing 2016, 8(2), 95; doi:10.3390/rs8020095 --- Zhai, W.; Shen, H.; Huang, C.; Pei, W. Building Earthquake Damage Information Extraction from a Single Post-Earthquake PolSAR Image. Remote Sensing 2016, 8(3), 171; doi:10.3390/rs8030171 --- Jiang, Y.; Liao, M.; Zhou, Z.; Shi, X.; Zhang, L.; Balz, T. Landslide Deformation Analysis by Coupling Deformation Time Series from SAR Data with Hydrological Factors through Data Assimilation. Remote Sensing 2016, 8(3), 179; doi:10.3390/rs8030179 --- He, M.; Zhu, Q.; Du, Z.; Hu, H.; Ding, Y.; Chen, M. A 3D Shape Descriptor Based on Contour Clusters for Damaged Roof Detection Using Airborne LiDAR Point Clouds. Remote Sensing 2016, 8(3), 189; doi:10.3390/rs8030189 --- Hu, J.; Wang, Q.; Li, Z.; Zhao, R.; Sun, Q. Investigating the Ground Deformation and Source Model of the Yangbajing Geothermal Field in Tibet, China with the WLS InSAR Technique. Remote Sensing 2016, 8(3), 191; doi:10.3390/rs8030191 --- Hsieh, Y.; Chan, Y.; Hu, J. Digital Elevation Model Differencing and Error Estimation from Multiple Sources: A Case Study from the Meiyuan Shan Landslide in Taiwan. Remote Sensing 2016, 8(3), 199; doi:10.3390/rs8030199 --- Zhu, S.; Xu, C.; Wen, Y.; Liu, Y. Interseismic Deformation of the Altyn Tagh Fault Determined by Interferometric Synthetic Aperture Radar (InSAR) Measurements. Remote Sensing 2016, 8(3), 233; doi:10.3390/rs8030233 --- Vetrivel, A.; Gerke, M.; Kerle, N.; Vosselman, G. Identification of Structurally Damaged Areas in Airborne Oblique Images Using a Visual-Bag-of-Words Approach. Remote Sensing 2016, 8(3), 231; doi:10.3390/rs8030231 --- Bardi, F.; Raspini, F.; Ciampalini, A.; Kristensen, L.; Rouyet, L.; Lauknes, T.; Frauenfelder, R.; Casagli, N. Space-Borne and Ground-Based InSAR Data Integration: The Åknes Test Site. Remote Sensing 2016, 8(3), 237; doi:10.3390/rs8030237 --- Liu, P.; Li, Q.; Li, Z.; Hoey, T.; Liu, G.; Wang, C.; Hu, Z.; Zhou, Z.; Singleton, A. Anatomy of Subsidence in Tianjin from Time Series InSAR. Remote Sensing 2016, 8(3), 266; doi:10.3390/rs8030266 --- Ma, Y.; Chen, F.; Liu, J.; He, Y.; Duan, J.; Li, X. An Automatic Procedure for Early Disaster Change Mapping Based on Optical Remote Sensing. Remote Sensing 2016, 8(4), 272; doi:10.3390/rs8040272 --- Yang, C.; Zhang, Q.; Xu, Q.; Zhao, C.; Peng, J.; Ji, L. Complex Deformation Monitoring over the Linfen–Yuncheng Basin (China) with Time Series InSAR Technology. Remote Sensing 2016, 8(4), 284; doi:10.3390/rs8040284 --- Watanabe, M.; Thapa, R.; Shimada, M. Pi-SAR-L2 Observation of the Landslide Caused by Typhoon Wipha on Izu Oshima Island. Remote Sensing 2016, 8(4), 282; doi:10.3390/rs8040282 --- Plank, S.; Twele, A.; Martinis, S. Landslide Mapping in Vegetated Areas Using Change Detection Based on Optical and Polarimetric SAR Data. Remote Sensing 2016, 8(4), 307; doi:10.3390/rs8040307 --- Solaro, G.; De Novellis, V.; Castaldo, R.; De Luca, C.; Lanari, R.; Manunta, M.; Casu, F. Coseismic Fault Model of Mw 8.3 2015 Illapel Earthquake (Chile) Retrieved from Multi-Orbit Sentinel1-A DInSAR Measurements. Remote Sensing 2016, 8(4), 323; doi:10.3390/rs8040323 --- Bai, L.; Jiang, L.; Wang, H.; Sun, Q. Spatiotemporal Characterization of Land Subsidence and Uplift (2009–2010) over Wuhan in Central China Revealed by TerraSAR-X InSAR Analysis. Remote Sensing 2016, 8(4), 350; doi:10.3390/rs8040350 --- Xu, B.; Li, Z.; Feng, G.; Zhang, Z.; Wang, Q.; Hu, J.; Chen, X. Continent-Wide 2-D Co-Seismic Deformation of the 2015 Mw 8.3 Illapel, Chile Earthquake Derived from Sentinel-1A Data: Correction of Azimuth Co-Registration Error. Remote Sensing 2016, 8(5), 376; doi:10.3390/rs8050376 --- Chen, M.; Tomás, R.; Li, Z.; Motagh, M.; Li, T.; Hu, L.; Gong, H.; Li, X.; Yu, J.; Gong, X. Imaging Land Subsidence Induced by Groundwater Extraction in Beijing (China) Using Satellite Radar Interferometry. Remote Sensing 2016, 8(6), 468; doi:10.3390/rs8060468 --- Ji, L.; Xu, J.; Zhao, Q.; Yang, C. Source Parameters of the 2003–2004 Bange Earthquake Sequence, Central Tibet, China, Estimated from InSAR Data. Remote Sensing 2016, 8(6), 516; doi:10.3390/rs8060516 --- Li, Y.; Jiang, W.; Zhang, J.; Luo, Y. Space Geodetic Observations and Modeling of 2016 Mw 5.9 Menyuan Earthquake: Implications on Seismogenic Tectonic Motion. Remote Sensing 2016, 8(6), 519; doi:10.3390/rs8060519 --- Trasatti, E.; Tolomei, C.; Pezzo, G.; Atzori, S.; Salvi, S. Deformation and Related Slip Due to the 2011 Van Earthquake (Turkey) Sequence Imaged by SAR Data and Numerical Modeling. Remote Sensing 2016, 8(6), 532; doi:10.3390/rs8060532 --- Wang, C.; Mao, X.; Wang, Q. Landslide Displacement Monitoring by a Fully Polarimetric SAR Offset Tracking Method. Remote Sensing 2016, 8(8), 624; doi:10.3390/rs8080624 --- Liu, Y.; Xu, C.; Li, Z.; Wen, Y.; Chen, J.; Li, Z. Time-Dependent Afterslip of the 2009 Mw 6.3 Dachaidan Earthquake (China) and Viscosity beneath the Qaidam Basin Inferred from Postseismic Deformation Observations. Remote Sensing 2016, 8(8), 649; doi:10.3390/rs8080649 --- Xu, B.; Feng, G.; Li, Z.; Wang, Q.; Wang, C.; Xie, R. Coastal Subsidence Monitoring Associated with Land Reclamation Using the Point Target Based SBAS-InSAR Method: A Case Study of Shenzhen, China. Remote Sensing 2016, 8(8), 652; doi:10.3390/rs8080652 --- Sun, L.; Muller, J. Evaluation of the Use of Sub-Pixel Offset Tracking Techniques to Monitor Landslides in Densely Vegetated Steeply Sloped Areas. Remote Sensing 2016, 8(8), 659; doi:10.3390/rs8080659 --- De Novellis, V.; Castaldo, R.; Lollino, P.; Manunta, M.; Tizzani, P. Advanced Three-Dimensional Finite Element Modeling of a Slow Landslide through the Exploitation of DInSAR Measurements and in Situ Surveys. Remote Sensing 2016, 8(8), 670; doi:10.3390/rs8080670 --- Zhang, Y.; Wu, H.; Kang, Y.; Zhu, C. Ground Subsidence in the Beijing-Tianjin-Hebei Region from 1992 to 2014 Revealed by Multiple SAR Stacks. Remote Sensing 2016, 8(8), 675; doi:10.3390/rs8080675 --- Zhou, G.; Yue, T.; Shi, Y.; Zhang, R.; Huang, J. Second-Order Polynomial Equation-Based Block Adjustment for Orthorectification of DISP Imagery. Remote Sensing 2016, 8(8), 680; doi:10.3390/rs8080680 --- Bonì, R.; Pilla, G.; Meisina, C. Methodology for Detection and Interpretation of Ground Motion Areas with the A-DInSAR Time Series Analysis. Remote Sensing 2016, 8(8), 686; doi:10.3390/rs8080686 --- Xie, S.; Duan, J.; Liu, S.; Dai, Q.; Liu, W.; Ma, Y.; Guo, R.; Ma, C. Crowdsourcing Rapid Assessment of Collapsed Buildings Early after the Earthquake Based on Aerial Remote Sensing Image: A Case Study of Yushu Earthquake. Remote Sensing 2016, 8(9), 759; doi:10.3390/rs8090759 --- Fernández, T.; Pérez, J.; Cardenal, J.; Gómez, J.; Colomo, C.; Delgado, J. Analysis of Landslide Evolution Affecting Olive Groves Using UAV and Photogrammetric Techniques. Remote Sensing 2016, 8(10), 837; doi:10.3390/rs8100837 --- Cignetti, M.; Manconi, A.; Manunta, M.; Giordan, D.; De Luca, C.; Allasia, P.; Ardizzone, F. Taking Advantage of the ESA G-POD Service to Study Ground Deformation Processes in High Mountain Areas: A Valle d’Aosta Case Study, Northern Italy. Remote Sensing 2016, 8(10), 852; doi:10.3390/rs8100852 --- Cooner, A.; Shao, Y.; Campbell, J. Detection of Urban Damage Using Remote Sensing and Machine Learning Algorithms: Revisiting the 2010 Haiti Earthquake. Remote Sensing 2016, 8(10), 868; doi:10.3390/rs8100868 --- Zhou, W.; Li, S.; Zhou, Z.; Chang, X. InSAR Observation and Numerical Modeling of the Earth-Dam Displacement of Shuibuya Dam (China). Remote Sensing 2016, 8(10), 877; doi:10.3390/rs8100877 --- Qu, T.; Lu, P.; Liu, C.; Wu, H.; Shao, X.; Wan, H.; Li, N.; Li, R. Hybrid-SAR Technique: Joint Analysis Using Phase-Based and Amplitude-Based Methods for the Xishancun Giant Landslide Monitoring. Remote Sensing 2016, 8(10), 874; doi:10.3390/rs8100874 --- Gong, L.; Wang, C.; Wu, F.; Zhang, J.; Zhang, H.; Li, Q. Earthquake-Induced Building Damage Detection with Post-Event Sub-Meter VHR TerraSAR-X Staring Spotlight Imagery. Remote Sensing 2016, 8(11), 887; doi:10.3390/rs8110887 --- Ding, C.; Feng, G.; Li, Z.; Shan, X.; Du, Y.; Wang, H. Spatio-Temporal Error Sources Analysis and Accuracy Improvement in Landsat 8 Image Ground Displacement Measurements. Remote Sensing 2016, 8(11), 937; doi:10.3390/rs8110937 --- Ma, C.; Cheng, X.; Yang, Y.; Zhang, X.; Guo, Z.; Zou, Y. Investigation on Mining Subsidence Based on Multi-Temporal InSAR and Time-Series Analysis of the Small Baseline Subset—Case Study of Working Faces 22201-1/2 in Bu’ertai Mine, Shendong Coalfield, China. Remote Sensing 2016, 8(11), 951; doi:10.3390/rs8110951 --- Caló, F.; Notti, D.; Galve, J.; Abdikan, S.; Görüm, T.; Pepe, A.; Balik Şanli, F. DInSAR-Based Detection of Land Subsidence and Correlation with Groundwater Depletion in Konya Plain, Turkey. Remote Sensing 2017, 9(1), 83; doi:10.3390/rs9010083 --- Tomás, R.; Li, Z. Earth Observations for Geohazards: Present and Future Challenges. Remote Sensing 2017, 9(3), 194; doi:10.3390/rs9030194

Description / Table of Contents: The “landscape Approach” is widely promoted as a way to reconcile biodiversity conservation with both commercial agriculture and local peoples’ demands for land. Landscape approaches imply a strong role for local communities in decision making and, therefore, local citizen science plays a role in determining landscape outcomes (Sayer et al., under review). Many claims and counter claims are made about the success and failure of local management in achieving good forest outcomes. There is significant uncertainty about the incentives for local people to manage forests for their global carbon storage and biodiversity values. Local people may be more concerned about immediate economic returns and less about the long term global environmental values of their forests. This Special Issue seeks to assemble papers that provide empirical evidence for the success of landscape and community managed initiatives to conserve biodiversity. We are seeking papers that report upon successful biodiversity conservation projects that have operated at a landscape scale and those that have been led by local communities. We are also interested in cases where these approaches were attempted but were less successful. Our ultimate goals is to identify the conditions under which these approaches have succeeded and those where they have been less successful.

Description / Table of Contents: Nishimura, T. Rust Formation Mechanism on Low Alloy Steels after Exposure Test in High Cl− and High SOx Environmen. Materials 2017, 10(2), 199; doi:10.3390/ma10020199. http://www.mdpi.com/1996-1944/10/2/199 --- Chang, T.; Odnevall Wallinder, I.; de la Fuente, D.; Chico, B.; Morcillo, M.; Welter, J.; Leygraf, C. Analysis of Historic Copper Patinas. Influence of Inclusions on Patina Uniformity. Materials 2017, 10(3), 298; doi:10.3390/ma10030298. http://www.mdpi.com/1996-1944/10/3/298 --- Na, O.; Cai, X.; Xi, Y. Corrosion Prediction with Parallel Finite Element Modeling for Coupled Hygro-Chemo Transport into Concrete under Chloride-Rich Environment. Materials 2017, 10(4), 350; doi:10.3390/ma10040350. http://www.mdpi.com/1996-1944/10/4/350 --- Kreislova, K.; Knotkova, D. The Results of 45 Years of Atmospheric Corrosion Study in the Czech Republic. Materials 2017, 10(4), 394; doi:10.3390/ma10040394. http://www.mdpi.com/1996-1944/10/4/394 --- Alcántara, J.; Fuente, D.; Chico, B.; Simancas, J.; Díaz, I.; Morcillo, M. Marine Atmospheric Corrosion of Carbon Steel: A Review. Materials 2017, 10(4), 406; doi:10.3390/ma10040406. http://www.mdpi.com/1996-1944/10/4/406 --- Hosseinpour, S.; Johnson, M. Vibrational Spectroscopy in Studies of Atmospheric Corrosion. Materials 2017, 10(4), 413; doi:10.3390/ma10040413. http://www.mdpi.com/1996-1944/10/4/413 --- Panchenko, Y.; Marshakov, A. Prediction of First-Year Corrosion Losses of Carbon Steel and Zinc in Continental Regions. Materials 2017, 10(4), 422; doi:10.3390/ma10040422. http://www.mdpi.com/1996-1944/10/4/422 --- Chico, B.; de la Fuente, D.; Díaz, I.; Simancas, J.; Morcillo, M. Annual Atmospheric Corrosion of Carbon Steel Worldwide. An Integration of ISOCORRAG, ICP/UNECE and MICAT Databases. Materials 2017, 10(6), 601; doi:10.3390/ma10060601. http://www.mdpi.com/1996-1944/10/6/601 --- Bouchar, M.; Dillmann, P.; Neff, D. New Insights in the Long-Term Atmospheric Corrosion Mechanisms of Low Alloy Steel Reinforcements of Cultural Heritage Buildings. Materials 2017, 10(6), 670; doi:10.3390/ma10060670. http://www.mdpi.com/1996-1944/10/6/670 --- Tidblad, J.; Kreislová, K.; Faller, M.; de la Fuente, D.; Yates, T.; Verney-Carron, A.; Grøntoft, T.; Gordon, A.; Hans, U. ICP Materials Trends in Corrosion, Soiling and Air Pollution (1987–2014). Materials 2017, 10(8), 969; doi:10.3390/ma10080969. http://www.mdpi.com/1996-1944/10/8/969 --- Cole, I. Recent Progress and Required Developments in Atmospheric Corrosion of Galvanised Steel and Zinc. Materials 2017, 10(11), 1288; doi:10.3390/ma10111288. http://www.mdpi.com/1996-1944/10/11/1288

Description / Table of Contents: Biopolymers, as natural polysaccharides, are considered benign polymers for what concerns the environment. This is not a new invention, but at best a renaissance: the first type of polymers used by human kind were animal hides, cellulose, silk, wool. Among benefits of natural occurring biopolymers there are potential biocompatibility, renewable resources, low processing costs, tailoring of structure by genetic manipulation, and, as said, environmentally compatibility. Limits are, sometimes, premature degradation and high production costs due to the very high purity required for medical uses. Polysaccharides are not drugs by themselves, but their use in pharmaceutical field, for example as drug carriers or antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory or anticoagulant agents, is increasingly promising. Marine polysaccharides include chitin, chitosan, alginate, agar and carrageenans. Chitosan is a cationic carbohydrate biopolymer derived from chitin, the second most abundant polysaccharides present in nature after cellulose. The main sources of chitin are the shell wastes of shrimps, lobsters and crabs. For its characteristics, chitosan founds particular application as non viral vector in gene delivery. Films from chitosan are very tough and long lasting. Alginates derive from seaweed extraction (pheophyceae), and are mainly used in drug delivery and as hydrogels for immobilizing cells and enzymes, due to the mild conditions of cross-linking through bivalent cations (Ca2 ). Agar (or agar-agar) and carrageenans are linear polysaccharides from red seaweeds. They are highly reactive chemically and are peculiar for thermoreversible gel formation. Exopolysaccharides (EPS), substantial components of the extracellular matrix of many cells of marine origin, also have to be mentioned for their potential interest in pharmaceuticals, and new EPS producing bacteria, particularly from extreme marine environments, are being isolated.The possibility of chemical modification, blending and addition of biodegradable additives allows to tailor the final properties of polysaccharides and opens the doors to wider applications, particularly in pharmaceutical area. This issue is intended to explore any new potentiality of marine polysaccharides, as those above mentioned, deriving from chemical or chemical-physical modifications, and the scaling-up of their pharmaceutical applications.

Description / Table of Contents: A Guideline for Successful Calibration and Uncertainty Analysis for Soil and Water Assessment: A Review of Papers from the 2016 International SWAT Conference / Water 2018, 10(1), 6; doi:10.3390/w10010006 --- Assessing the Water-Resources Potential of Istanbul by Using a Soil and Water Assessment Tool (SWAT) Hydrological Model / Water 2017, 9(10), 814; doi:10.3390/w9100814 --- Simulating Climate Change Induced Thermal Stress in Coldwater Fish Habitat Using SWAT Model / Water 2017, 9(10), 732; doi:10.3390/w9100732 --- Assessing the Uncertainty of Multiple Input Datasets in the Prediction of Water Resource Components / Water 2017, 9(9), 709; doi:10.3390/w9090709 --- Assessment of the Combined Effects of Threshold Selection and Parameter Estimation of Generalized Pareto Distribution with Applications to Flood Frequency Analysis / Water 2017, 9(9), 692; doi:10.3390/w9090692 --- Assessing Thermally Stressful Events in a Rhode Island Coldwater Fish Habitat Using the SWAT Model / Water 2017, 9(9), 667; doi:10.3390/w9090667 --- Assessment of Nitrogen Inputs into Hunt River by Onsite Wastewater Treatment Systems via SWAT Simulation / Water 2017, 9(8), 610; doi:10.3390/w9080610 --- Water Resources of the Black Sea Catchment under Future Climate and Landuse Change Projections / Water 2017, 9(8), 598; doi:10.3390/w9080598 --- Comparison of SWAT and GWLF Model Simulation Performance in Humid South and Semi-Arid North of China / Water 2017, 9(8), 567; doi:10.3390/w9080567 --- Modeling the Fate and Transport of Malathion in the Pagsanjan-Lumban Basin, Philippines / Water 2017, 9(7), 451; doi:10.3390/w9070451 --- Development of a Station Based Climate Database for SWAT and APEX Assessments in the US / Water 2017, 9(6), 437; doi:10.3390/w9060437 --- Using Modeling Tools to Better Understand Permafrost Hydrology / Water 2017, 9(6), 418; doi:10.3390/w9060418 --- Sensitivity of Calibrated Parameters and Water Resource Estimates on Different Objective Functions and Optimization Algorithms / Water 2017, 9(6), 384; doi:10.3390/w9060384 --- Evaluating Various Low-Impact Development Scenarios for Optimal Design Criteria Development / Water 2017, 9(4), 270; doi:10.3390/w9040270 --- Assessment of Flood Frequency Alteration by Dam Construction via SWAT Simulation / Water 2017, 9(4), 264; doi:10.3390/w9040264 --- Effects of Urban Non-Point Source Pollution from Baoding City on Baiyangdian Lake, China / Water 2017, 9(4), 249; doi:10.3390/w9040249 --- Multilevel Drought Hazard Assessment under Climate Change Scenarios in Semi-Arid Regions—A Case Study of the Karkheh River Basin in Iran / Water 2017, 9(4), 241; doi:10.3390/w9040241 --- Assessment of Three Long-Term Gridded Climate Products for Hydro-Climatic Simulations in Tropical River Basins / Water 2017, 9(3), 229; doi:10.3390/w9030229 --- Evaluating the Impact of Low Impact Development (LID) Practices on Water Quantity and Quality under Different Development Designs Using SWAT / Water 2017, 9(3), 193; doi:10.3390/w9030193 --- Influence Mechanisms of Rainfall and Terrain Characteristics on Total Nitrogen Losses from Regosol / Water 2017, 9(3), 167; doi:10.3390/w9030167 --- Modeling Crop Water Productivity Using a Coupled SWAT–MODSIM Model / Water 2017, 9(3), 157; doi:10.3390/w9030157 --- Effect of Climate Change on Hydrology, Sediment and Nutrient Losses in Two Lowland Catchments in Poland / Water 2017, 9(3), 156; doi:10.3390/w9030156 --- Using SWAT and Fuzzy TOPSIS to Assess the Impact of Climate Change in the Headwaters of the Segura River Basin (SE Spain) / Water 2017, 9(2), 149; doi:10.3390/w9020149 --- Water Leakage and Nitrate Leaching Characteristics in the Winter Wheat–Summer Maize Rotation System in the North China Plain under Different Irrigation and Fertilization Management Practices / Water 2017, 9(2), 141; doi:10.3390/w9020141 --- Climate Change Impacts on US Water Quality Using Two Models: HAWQS and US Basins / Water 2017, 9(2), 118; doi:10.3390/w9020118 --- Testing the SWAT Model with Gridded Weather Data of Different Spatial Resolutions / Water 2017, 9(1), 54; doi:10.3390/w9010054 --- The Impact of Para Rubber Expansion on Streamflow and Other Water Balance Components of the Nam Loei River Basin, Thailand / Water 2017, 9(1), 1; doi:10.3390/w9010001 --- The Mitigation Potential of Buffer Strips for Reservoir Sediment Yields: The Itumbiara Hydroelectric Power Plant in Brazil / Water 2016, 8(11), 489; doi:10.3390/w8110489

Description / Table of Contents: Environmental quality is crucial to our health, our economy and our living. However, it faces several serious challenges, not least those of climate change, unsustainable consumption and production, as well as various forms of pollution. This Special Issue invites research papers aimed at a wide range of environmental issues: Water and wastewater management, water and sediment pollution control and remediation, soil degradation, conservation and remediation, waste management, landscape management, air quality and indoor environment, environmental impacts of buildings and materials, and LCA (Life-cycle assessment).

Description / Table of Contents: Since the early design of activities to reduce emissions from deforestation and forest degradation in developing countries (REDD+) under the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC), the need to engage local communities and indigenous groups in monitoring and reporting has been recognized. REDD+ has advanced under the UNFCCC negotiations, but most countries still need to define formally what the role of communities in their national monitoring systems will be. Previous research and experiences have shown that local communities can effectively contribute in the monitoring of natural resources. This editorial introduces a Special Issue of Forests which discusses the implications of and potential for including community based monitoring (CBM) in monitoring and benefit-sharing systems in REDD+. It outlines the main points of the nine contributions to the Special Issue which cover a wide geographical area and report on projects and research which engages more than 150 communities from eight different countries from Africa, Asia and Latin America. The editorial summarizes how the articles and reports build further understanding of the potential of CBM to contribute to the implementation, monitoring and distribution of benefits in REDD+. It also discusses the results of an on-going opinion survey on issues related to CBM and its relation to benefit sharing, which indicates that there is still disagreement on a number of key elements.

Description / Table of Contents: Geothermal energy has been harnessed for recreational uses for millennia, but only for electricity generation for a little over a century. Although geothermal is unique amongst renewables for its baseload and renewable heat provision capabilities, uptake continues to lag far behind that of solar and wind. This is mainly attributable to (i) uncertainties over resource availability in poorly-explored reservoirs and (ii) the concentration of full-lifetime costs into early-stage capital expenditure (capex). Recent advances in reservoir characterization techniques are beginning to narrow the bounds of exploration uncertainty, both by improving estimates of reservoir geometry and properties, and by providing pre-drilling estimates of temperature at depth. Advances in drilling technologies and management have potential to significantly lower initial capex, while operating expenditure is being further reduced by more effective reservoir management—supported by robust models—and increasingly efficient energy conversion systems (flash, binary and combined-heat-and-power). Advances in characterization and modelling are also improving management of shallow low-enthalpy resources that can only be exploited using heat-pump technology. Taken together with increased public appreciation of the benefits of geothermal, the technology is finally ready to take its place as a mainstream renewable technology, exploited far beyond its traditional confines in the world’s volcanic regions.