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Aquatic conservation: reflections on the first 25 years
Author(s) -
Boon Philip J.,
Baxter John M.
Publication year - 2016
Publication title -
aquatic conservation: marine and freshwater ecosystems
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.95
H-Index - 77
eISSN - 1099-0755
pISSN - 1052-7613
DOI - 10.1002/aqc.2713
Subject(s) - endangered species , habitat , geography , range (aeronautics) , conservation status , ecology , iucn red list , conservation biology , marine protected area , fishery , biology , materials science , composite material
This special issue marks the 25th anniversary of Aquatic Conservation , and comprises papers written by groups of board members from both marine and freshwater backgrounds on some of the main topics covered by the journal. Over the last 25 years the number of submissions to the journal has grown and the geographical range of submissions has increased, with papers from almost 100 countries. Data for 2015 show that 42% were from Europe, 15% from North America, 15% from Asia, 12% from South and Central America, 9% from Australia and New Zealand, 5% from Africa, and 2% from elsewhere. AQC has published 154 issues, including 15 special issues and 10 supplements, and has grown from four issues and 360 pages per year in 1992 to six issues and 1210 pages in 2016. AQC received its first Impact Factor – 0.534 – in 1998, increasing to 2.415 in 2016. AQC publishes papers on a wide range of subjects, such as the theoretical principles underlying conservation, the status of endangered species and habitats, river basin management and habitat restoration. Areas of recent growth include climate change, the impact of invasive alien species on native species and habitats, ecosystem services and conservation genetics. Submissions to the journal suggest that marine conservation is a more clearly defined area of study than freshwater conservation. Factors that may be responsible include site designations exclusively for marine areas, the formation of groups and societies dedicated to conserving marine habitats and species, and the presence of large ‘iconic species’ (e.g. whales, sharks, dolphins) that are far more common in marine than freshwater habitats. The aim of this journal is to continue publishing high‐quality work from all parts of the world, and to encourage scientists to recognize and promote the application of their research to practical conservation and management. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.