<p> ENVIRONMENTAL EARTH SCIENCES CALL FOR PAPERS Thematic Issue of Environmental Earth Sciences Water Resources Development and Protection in Loess Areas of the World</p><p>MOTIVATION and GOALS Loess is homogeneous, porous, friable, pale yellow or buff, slightly coherent, typically non-stratified and often calcareous. It is widely distributed worldwide such as in China, Argentina, Europe, United States and Mid Asia. Loess areas are distributed mainly in arid and semiarid regions with severe water resource shortages and fragile ecological environments. Mineral resources such as oil, gas and coal, however, are rich in these areas. </p><p>With continuing urbanization, industrialization and energy exploitation, human activities are increasingly strengthened in loess areas, increasing water demand and resulting in soil and water pollution. Loess areas are facing a serious challenge in water resources development and environmental protection; therefore, it is essential to carry out water resources research in loess areas. </p><p>The thematic issue will report the latest water resources research in loess areas of the world. All submitted papers will be peer-reviewed and accepted ones will be published in the thematic issue. The journal has adopted the “Continuous Article Publishing” publication model, and all accepted articles will immediately be published in an issue. Environmental Earth Sciences is an international journal published by Springer-Nature. All papers published in the journal are included in Science Citation Index (SCI) and Engineering Index (EI). </p><p>SUBMISSION INSTRUCTIONS As Guest Editors of this thematic issue, original and unpublished papers are being solicited related to the following subjects: Temporal and spatial distribution of water resources in loess areas Transformation of water by precipitation, groundwater and surface water in loess areas Water resources development and disaster prevention in loess areas Water and soil pollution and environmental protection in loess areas Water environment problems related to large engineering projects in loess areas </p><p>Both research papers and review papers are welcomed. Manuscripts should be submitted to the journal through Springer’s Editorial Manager online submission system. Authors should follow the specific Instructions to Authors, which are available on the Environmental Earth Sciences’ website: http://www.springer.com/earth+sciences+and+geography/geology/journal/12665 </p><p>IMPORTANT DEADLINES Manuscript submission: December 31, 2016 Reviewer’s comments: March 30, 2017 Final paper submission: June 30, 2017 </p><p>GUEST EDITORS Dr. Peiyue Li, Associate Professor at Chang’an University; [email protected], [email protected] Dr. Hui Qian, Professor at Chang’an University; [email protected]</p>