JOURNAL OF NATURAL HISTORY

Scope & Guideline

Bridging Research and Natural Understanding

Introduction

Welcome to the JOURNAL OF NATURAL HISTORY information hub, where our guidelines provide a wealth of knowledge about the journal’s focus and academic contributions. This page includes an extensive look at the aims and scope of JOURNAL OF NATURAL HISTORY, highlighting trending and emerging areas of study. We also examine declining topics to offer insight into academic interest shifts. Our curated list of highly cited topics and recent publications is part of our effort to guide scholars, using these guidelines to stay ahead in their research endeavors.
LanguageMulti-Language
ISSN0022-2933
PublisherTAYLOR & FRANCIS LTD
Support Open AccessNo
CountryUnited Kingdom
TypeJournal
Convergefrom 1967 to 2024
AbbreviationJ NAT HIST / J. Nat. Hist.
Frequency24 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 Journal of Natural History focuses on the comprehensive exploration of biodiversity, taxonomy, and ecology, with a strong emphasis on the study of various organisms and their interactions within ecosystems. It serves as a platform for researchers to publish findings that contribute to the understanding of natural history across multiple taxa.
  1. Biodiversity Assessment and Taxonomy:
    The journal emphasizes the documentation and classification of species, including the description of new species and taxonomic revisions, which is critical for understanding global biodiversity.
  2. Ecological Interactions and Behavior:
    Research on ecological interactions, including predator-prey dynamics, mutualism, and behavior of various species is a core focus, contributing to the understanding of ecosystem functioning.
  3. Phylogenetics and Evolutionary Studies:
    Studies exploring phylogenetic relationships and evolutionary processes among species are prevalent, helping to unravel the history of life on Earth.
  4. Conservation Biology:
    The journal publishes work that addresses conservation issues, including species at risk, habitat preservation, and the impact of environmental changes on biodiversity.
  5. Field Studies and Ecological Surveys:
    Empirical research based on field studies that document species distributions, behaviors, and ecological dynamics is a significant focus, providing data crucial for conservation efforts.
The Journal of Natural History is currently witnessing several emerging trends that reflect the evolving landscape of biodiversity research. These trends indicate a shift towards more integrative and interdisciplinary approaches to studying natural history.
  1. Integrative Taxonomy:
    An increasing number of studies are adopting integrative approaches that combine morphological, molecular, and ecological data to provide a more comprehensive understanding of species diversity and relationships.
  2. Molecular and Genetic Studies:
    The utilization of molecular techniques, including DNA barcoding and genomic studies, is on the rise, facilitating deeper insights into phylogenetics, population genetics, and conservation genetics.
  3. Impact of Climate Change on Biodiversity:
    Research focusing on the effects of climate change on species distributions, behaviors, and ecosystem dynamics is gaining traction, highlighting the urgent need to understand and mitigate biodiversity loss.
  4. Urban Ecology and Biodiversity:
    There is an emerging interest in urban ecology, examining how biodiversity interacts with urban environments, which has implications for conservation strategies in increasingly urbanized landscapes.
  5. Conservation Genetics and Management:
    Papers addressing conservation genetics and the practical management of threatened species are becoming more prominent, reflecting a growing concern for biodiversity preservation in the face of global change.

Declining or Waning

While the Journal of Natural History continues to thrive in many areas, there are certain themes that appear to be declining in prominence based on recent publications. This shift may reflect changing research priorities or emerging interests in other aspects of natural history.
  1. Traditional Taxonomic Studies:
    There seems to be a waning focus on purely traditional taxonomic studies without an integrative approach. Many researchers are now employing molecular techniques alongside morphological studies, reducing the frequency of standalone taxonomic papers.
  2. General Natural History Narratives:
    Papers that provide broad, non-specific accounts of species or ecosystems without a strong empirical basis or hypothesis are appearing less frequently, as the journal shifts towards more rigorous scientific methodologies.
  3. Historical Natural History Studies:
    Research focusing solely on historical perspectives or anecdotal accounts of natural history is becoming less common, with a greater emphasis now placed on contemporary ecological and evolutionary studies.

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