Tropical Climate Change

This issue explores the complex interactions between human activities and environmental systems in tropical regions, with a particular focus on emerging challenges related to climate variability, resource management, and environmental sustainability. The selected articles collectively highlight how rapid socio-economic development, population growth, and land-use transformation are reshaping tropical landscapes and intensifying pressures on natural resources.

A central theme in this issue is the critical role of water resources in supporting human life and resilience to climate-related stresses. The study on groundwater potential in Kartasura demonstrates how geoelectric methods can be effectively applied to identify aquifer systems as an adaptive strategy to mitigate drought in densely populated areas . Complementing this, research on iron (Fe) content in well water underscores the importance of water quality management, showing how simple aeration techniques can significantly improve groundwater suitability for domestic use . Together, these contributions emphasize that ensuring water security in tropical regions requires integrated approaches addressing both availability and quality.

Land-use dynamics represent another key dimension of human–environment interaction discussed in this issue. The analysis of land conversion in Kalijambe District reveals substantial changes over a ten-year period, driven largely by population growth and regulatory factors, leading to increased settlement expansion . Such transformations not only alter the spatial configuration of the landscape but also affect ecological balance, hydrological processes, and long-term environmental sustainability.

The consequences of these changes are further reflected in the increasing occurrence of environmental hazards. The study on landslide-prone areas in Ngargoyoso highlights how physical factors such as rainfall intensity, slope, and geological conditions interact with land use to influence landslide susceptibility . This reinforces the need for integrated spatial analysis and risk assessment frameworks to support disaster mitigation efforts in tropical mountainous regions.

In addition to water and land challenges, this issue also addresses waste management as a growing environmental concern. The evaluation of landfill site feasibility in Grobogan Regency demonstrates how Geographic Information System (GIS)-based spatial modeling can support decision-making in identifying environmentally suitable waste disposal sites amid increasing waste generation due to population growth . This highlights the importance of aligning infrastructure planning with environmental capacity to reduce long-term ecological impacts.

Overall, this issue underscores the interconnectedness of human activities and environmental processes in tropical regions. It calls for integrated, multidisciplinary approaches that combine geospatial analysis, environmental science, and socio-economic perspectives to address climate-related challenges. By advancing understanding of these interactions, the studies in this issue contribute to the development of more resilient and sustainable tropical environments.