Ecological Society of America announces new open access journal

[Elizabeth Biggs <Liz@esa.org>]

On August 3, during its 95th Annual Meeting, the Ecological 
Society of America will officially launch its newest journal, 
Ecosphere.  Welcoming submissions from all sub-disciplines of 
ecological science, Ecosphere will provide a rapid-publication, 
online-only, open-access alternative to the Society's existing 
journals, while maintaining the rigorous peer-review standards 
for which printed ESA journals are renowned.

"The Society is very excited about the potential for Ecosphere," 
said ESA President Mary Power.  "It will feature research on all 
sub-disciplines of ecology and detailed studies of ecosystems and 
species, and will also publish collaborative research melding 
ecology with economics, history, philosophy, education, policy, 
and other branches of knowledge."

In addition to expanding the breadth and depth of papers 
published by ESA, a key goal for Ecosphere is rapid publication, 
with decisions on submissions made within 4-6 weeks of submission 
and papers published in a matter of days.  Papers will not be 
copyedited-authors will bear this responsibility.  All papers 
will be open-access-fully available to any interested online 
readers-and from the outset will be assigned DOIs

"It's been seven years since ESA launched its journal Frontiers 
in Ecology and the Environment," said ESA Executive Director 
Katherine McCarter.  "We believe the time is right to add to the 
Society's excellent portfolio of journals and are optimistic that 
Ecosphere will offer the scientific community an additional 
excellent vehicle to convey critical research to a larger 
readership."

Elizabeth Biggs
CFO & Director of Administration
Ecological Society of America