Publications
The ESA portfolio of journals is continuing to review and publish manuscripts. We understand that the current circumstances with COVID-19 are unprecedented and may require some flexibility for all concerned. Contact ESA editorial staff if you have questions or concerns.
ESA Publication Program
The Ecological Society of America publishes 6 journals with its publishing partner, John Wiley & Sons®. ESA journals are among the most widely read and cited journals in the field of ecology, and we welcome your submissions. Select links on this page to learn more.
Ecology
Ecology publishes cutting-edge basic ecological research covering a broad array of subject matter using both experimental and theoretical approaches. Ecology remains the most-cited journal in the ecological sciences.
Ecosphere
The scope of Ecosphere is as broad as the science of ecology itself. The journal welcomes submissions from all sub-disciplines of ecological science, as well as interdisciplinary studies relating to ecology. Ecosphere
is a rapid-publication, open-access journal that maintains the rigorous standards of peer review for which ESA publications are renowned. Our priorities are to publish good science and to do so quickly.
Frontiers in Ecology and the Environment
Each issue of Frontiers in Ecology and the Environment offers a variety of peer-reviewed articles, including Research Communications, Reviews, and Letters, as well as Concepts and Questions – a series in which people can float new ideas. No matter the type, Frontiers articles all have two things in common: clear, accessible language and broad interdisciplinary appeal. Each issue also contains breaking news (domestic and international), editorials, special features, and our popular EcoPics natural-history series – in fact, something for everyone. Our readership ranges from students to full professors, but also includes resource managers, decision makers, educators, and others.
Ecological Applications
Ecological Applications showcases ecological research with broad applicability to management, policy, and governance of the world’s ecosystems. Synthetic papers, surveys, and meta‐analyses are welcome, along with experimental approaches. Topics covered in the journal appeal to a broad audience and remain current in scientific and public debate, as they are grounded in our policy requiring data transparency and replicability.
Ecological Monographs
Ecological Monographs is the ESA’s journal for comprehensive and integrative papers that contribute to the fundamental understanding of ecological principles. These empirical and theoretical studies establish new benchmarks in the field and define directions for future research.
Bulletin of the Ecological Society of America
The Bulletin of the ESA is both the official record for ESA business and a vehicle for members to publish editorials, how-to advice, book reviews, historical articles, and other reports of interest to the broader ecological community. Members are welcome to submit pieces on ecological issues, which do not require scientific refereeing beyond the section editors and the Editor-in-Chief.
Issues in Ecology
Issues in Ecology uses commonly-understood language to report the consensus of a panel of scientific experts on issues related to the environment. The audience for this journal includes decision-makers at all levels for whom an objective presentation of the underlying science will increase the occurrence of ecologically-informed decisions. Issues in Ecology aims to build public understanding of the importance of the products and services provided by the environment to society.
Impact Factors
Through its well regarded peer-reviewed journals, the ESA publishes high-quality research and analysis from the ecological community. This table lists the current impact factors and category ranks for ESA journals, as reported by Journal Citation Reports. All the ESA journals maintain high rankings within the categories of Ecology and Environmental Science, and are recognized worldwide as defining voices for the science of ecology.
| Rank: Ecology Category | Rank: Environmental Science | Journal Title | Impact Factor 2018 | Impact Factor 2017 | Impact Factor 2016 | Impact Factor 2015 | Impact Factor 2014 |
| 8/164 | N/A | Ecological Monographs | 7.698 | 7.878 | 8.759 | 8.037 | 6.98 |
| 3/164 | 3/250 | Frontiers in Ecology and the Environment | 10.935 | 8.302 | 8.039 | 8.504 | 7.441 |
| 27/164 | N/A | Ecology | 4.285 | 4.617 | 4.809 | 4.733 | 4.656 |
| 23/164 | 49/250 | Ecological Applications | 4.378 | 4.393 | 4.314 | 4.252 | 4.093 |
| 60/164 | N/A | Ecosphere – Open Access |
2.746 | 2.671 | 2.49 | 2.287 | 2.255 |