AFRICAN JOURNAL OF MARINE SCIENCE

Scope & Guideline

Advancing knowledge of Africa's vibrant marine ecosystems.

Introduction

Immerse yourself in the scholarly insights of AFRICAN JOURNAL OF MARINE SCIENCE with our comprehensive guidelines detailing its aims and scope. This page is your resource for understanding the journal's thematic priorities. Stay abreast of trending topics currently drawing significant attention and explore declining topics for a full picture of evolving interests. Our selection of highly cited topics and recent high-impact papers is curated within these guidelines to enhance your research impact.
LanguageEnglish
ISSN1814-232x
PublisherTAYLOR & FRANCIS LTD
Support Open AccessNo
CountrySouth Africa
TypeJournal
Convergefrom 2003 to 2024
AbbreviationAFR J MAR SCI / Afr. J. Mar. Sci.
Frequency4 issues/year
Time To First Decision-
Time To Acceptance-
Acceptance Rate-
Home Page-
Address2-4 PARK SQUARE, MILTON PARK, ABINGDON OR14 4RN, OXON, ENGLAND

Aims and Scopes

The African Journal of Marine Science is dedicated to publishing high-quality research that enhances the understanding of marine ecosystems in the African region. The journal emphasizes the importance of marine biodiversity, the sustainable management of marine resources, and the effects of environmental changes on marine life.
  1. Marine Biodiversity and Ecology:
    The journal focuses on the documentation and analysis of marine biodiversity, including species distributions, community structures, and ecological interactions within various marine habitats.
  2. Fisheries Science and Management:
    Research on the biology, ecology, and management of fish populations and fisheries practices is a core theme, addressing sustainability and conservation strategies for marine resources.
  3. Impact of Climate Change:
    The journal publishes studies examining the effects of climate change on marine ecosystems, including changes in species distributions, habitat alterations, and physiological responses of marine organisms.
  4. Conservation and Marine Protected Areas:
    Contributions related to conservation efforts, the effectiveness of marine protected areas, and management practices aimed at preserving marine biodiversity are prominent.
  5. Human-Marine Environment Interactions:
    Research exploring the socio-economic aspects of marine resource use, including the impacts of fishing, tourism, and pollution on marine ecosystems and communities.
The journal has seen a rise in certain themes that reflect current global challenges and advancements in marine science. These emerging areas are critical for addressing the complex interactions within marine ecosystems.
  1. Climate Change Adaptation Strategies:
    Increasing research on how marine species and ecosystems adapt to climate change highlights the urgency of understanding resilience mechanisms in marine environments.
  2. Use of Technology in Marine Research:
    The adoption of advanced technologies, such as acoustic telemetry and DNA barcoding, is gaining prominence, facilitating better monitoring and understanding of marine fauna.
  3. Marine Conservation and Policy Development:
    There is a growing emphasis on research that informs policy and conservation strategies, particularly regarding marine protected areas and sustainable fisheries management.
  4. Microplastics and Pollution Studies:
    Research on microplastics and their impacts on marine life and ecosystems is trending, reflecting heightened global awareness and concern over plastic pollution.
  5. Socio-Economic Impacts of Marine Resource Use:
    Emerging studies focus on the socio-economic dimensions of marine resource use, assessing how local communities are affected by and can benefit from marine conservation efforts.

Declining or Waning

While the journal continues to cover a wide range of marine science topics, some themes have shown a decline in focus over recent years, reflecting shifts in research priorities and emerging areas of interest.
  1. Traditional Taxonomic Studies:
    There has been a noticeable decrease in papers focused solely on taxonomic descriptions and classifications of marine species, as the field shifts towards more integrative and ecological approaches.
  2. Localized Environmental Assessments:
    Research specifically targeting localized environmental assessments has diminished, possibly due to a broader focus on global and regional marine issues, such as climate change and biodiversity loss.
  3. Historical Marine Ecology:
    Studies that emphasize historical data and long-term ecological changes are appearing less frequently, as the journal pivots towards more immediate ecological assessments and applied marine science.

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