Ecosystems and People is an interdisciplinary journal that addresses how biodiversity and ecosystems underpin human quality of life, and how societal activities and preferences drive changes in ecosystems.
In a rapidly changing world, the main challenges for humanity are to protect, manage and restore nature in such a way that human well-being can be sustained, in balance with nature. This journal aims to improve our understanding of the role of biodiversity and ecosystems in providing ecosystem services and nature’s contributions to people, and contributing to quality of life. In addition, it aims to enhance our understanding of the management systems and policies needed to maintain biodiversity and achieve sustainable and equitable use of ecosystem services. Research published in Ecosystems and People addresses, in an interdisciplinary way, biodiversity, ecosystem services, their contributions to quality of life, and the multiple ways people relate with nature.
Research topics
Papers published in Ecosystems and People preferably address one of the following themes:
- The link between biodiversity and ecosystem services; i.e. what is the role of biodiversity in providing ecosystem services?
- The link between ecosystem services and management; i.e. how can ecosystem services be sustainably managed and what are the trade-offs in service provision across management systems?
- The link between biodiversity and management; i.e. what are the effects of different management systems on biodiversity?
- The link between ecosystem service use and quality of life; i.e. how can ecosystem services contribute to the different dimensions of human well-being?
- The link between management and equitable use and distribution of ecosystem services; i.e. how can management contribute to the equal distribution of ecosystem services among different societal groups?
- The link between knowledge and data regarding biodiversity, ecosystem services and quality of life, and policy making; i.e. how can ecosystem service science inform decision making, and how can decision making influence sustainable provision and use of ecosystem services?
Developing, improving and discussing approaches, methods and tools to assess the above-mentioned questions in a decision-making or management context. is considered a crucial aspect in all papers published in Ecosystems and People. Papers should highlight recommendations that are relevant for decision making on ecosystem services, landscape management, land-use planning and biodiversity conservation.
Besides the themes illustrated above, it is important to note that the relevance of findings for decision making and management is considered a crucial aspect in all papers published in Ecosystems and People. Papers should highlight recommendations that are relevant for decision making on ecosystem services, landscape management, land-use planning and biodiversity conservation.
Truly inter- and transdisciplinary journal
Articles may be interdisciplinary, drawing from environmental science, ecology, conservation biology, and sustainability science, but we also welcome research that goes hand in hand or is at least inspired by anthropology, sociology, humanities and other social sciences. Natural and social sciences should share the same platform, just as qualitative and quantitative research. Articles can also apply transdisciplinary research approaches in which the scientific output is co-produced together with non-academic actors and includes indigenous and local knowledge. Systems addressed may range from natural and semi-natural ecosystems (including terrestrial, aquatic and marine systems) to cultivated systems and urban areas. Ecosystems and People also considers studies that approach systems from a social-ecological and human-nature systems perspective. There is a growing trend towards more-inclusive and context-specific research approaches that reflect cultural realities, and provide research findings that are perceived as legitimate too.
Types of Paper
Ecosystems and People accepts original Research Papers, Perspectives, Short Communications, Letters to the Editor, Reviews, Data Papers and Book Reviews. The editors aim to follow a personal and inclusive approach, and support equal representation of all the continents, of different stages in the scientific career and genders. Young researchers, female scientists and scholars from outside Western Europe and North America are too-often excluded from academic debates. We invite them to take part in the academic debate through the Ecosystems and People, where we will open regular opportunities to submit papers.
Preparation of manuscripts should be in accordance with the Instructions for Authors.
