Aims and scope

The international quarterly journal Aquatic Ecology has succeeded the `Netherlands Journal of Aquatic Ecology'. Aquatic Ecology publishes peer-reviewed, original papers relating to the ecology of fresh, brackish, estuarine and marine environments. Papers on fundamental and applied novel research in both the field and the laboratory, will be included in the journal. Preference will be given to studies that address timely and current topics and are integrative and critical in approach. We discourage papers that describe presence and abundance of aquatic biota in local habitats as well as papers that are pure systematic.

The aim of Aquatic Ecology is to provide a forum for the aquatic ecologist -both limnologist and oceanologist alike- to address and evaluate ecological issues related to processes and structures at different integration levels (individuals, populations, communities and ecosystems). Studies that reveal the organisation of lower levels into higher levels and those that concern the intraspecific and interspecific interactions are especially welcome. Food web studies are thus of particular interest. Studies that are hypothesis driven, and with an experimental approach are specifally welcome.

Furthermore, Aquatic Ecology will also accept manuscripts concerning the influence of environmental factors on aquatic ecosystems. The latter factors also include those that cause environmental impacts and modifications and thus have implications for the structure and functioning of individuals, populations and communities within ecosystems.

Studies may concern the ecological aspects of all kinds of organisms living in marine, brackish, estuarine or freshwater environments, including viruses. In addition, the studies that consolidate modelling and theoretical aspects from the above topics may also be submitted. Such contributions should be of interest to ecological theory formation in general.

In addition to original peer-reviewed papers, review papers and proceedings of thematic symposia/workshops are eligible for publication in the journal. Short communications, book reviews and critical comments as well as reactions to other papers published in Aquatic Ecology may also be submitted for publication. Before submitting such a contribution, the Editor-in-Chief should be contacted.