Ecological Research

  • STATISTICS

    Vol. 34 (2019)
    No. submitted articles: 305
    No. accepted articles: 65

    stat

    Statistics in the 6 months (2020.01-06)
    Days to First Decision (All Manuscripts): 34.1 (days)
    Days to First Decision (Mss. with Final Decisions Only): 28.7 (days)

    Current issue
    (vol. 35, issue 3)
    Days for acceptance:
    157 (48–617)
    Days for Early View:
    235 (115–703)
    Days for publication:
    325 (172–781)

Ecological Research has been published in English by the Ecological Society of Japan since 1986. Ecological Research publishes original research papers, reviews, technical reports, notes and comments, and data papers covering all aspects of ecology and ecological sciences.

Related subjects: Animal Sciences; Behavioral Sciences; Ecology; Evolutionary & Developmental Biology; Forestry; Plant Sciences

AWARD ARTICLES

SPECIAL FEATURES

CURRENT TOPICS IN ECOLOGY

ORIGINAL ARTICLES (Open access)

  • Saihanna Saihanna; Tomoe Tanaka; Yu Okamura; Buntarou Kusumoto; Takayuki Shiono; Toshihide Hirao; Yasuhiro Kubota; Masashi Murakami
    A paradox of latitudinal leaf defense strategies in deciduous and evergreen broadleaved trees

    The classical "low latitude–high defense" hypothesis is seldom supported by empirical evidence. In this context, we tested latitudinal patterns in the leaf defense traits of deciduous broadleaved (DB) and evergreen broadleaved (EGB) tree species, which are expected to affect herbivore diversity. We examined the co-occurrence of leaf defense traits (tannin and phenol content, leaf mechanical strength, leaf dry matter content, leaf mass per area, and leaf thickness) in 741 broadleaved tree species................more


  • Noriyuki Takai; Koh Kawabe; Kenta Togura; Kentaro Kawasaki; Tomohiro Kuwae
    The seasonal trophic link between Great Cormorant Phalacrocorax carbo and ayu Plecoglossus altivelis altivelis reared for mass release

    The feeding ecology of Great Cormorants (Phalacrocorax carbo) during the breeding season in the Kano River basin, central Japan, was examined to clarify the trophic relationship between the cormorants and ayu (Plecoglossus altivelis altivelis) reared for mass release in the river. The ayu was most frequently found in stomachs of cormorants culled during the breeding season, despite relatively poor catch in the year-round fish fauna research in the watershed. Carbon and nitrogen stable isotope ratios of some ayu individuals extracted from the ................more


  • Zhang M; Chen F; Chen S; Xie Z; Huang Y; Liu Y
    The soil seed bank of a rehabilitated draw-down zone and its similarity to standing vegetation in the Three Gorges Reservoir Area

    The reverse seasonal flooding that resulted from the construction of the Three Gorges Project has induced a drastic degradation of draw-down zone vegetation and the seed bank in the reservoir. The composition and distribution of seed banks and their similarities to standing vegetation were determined through field investigations and germination experiments on the vegetation as well as soil seed bank data collected from three restoration sites in Zigui county, Wanzhou city, and Zhongxian county to uncover the effects of vegetation restoration on seed bank development in the Three Gorges Reservoir region................more


FORUM

  • The 30th anniversary of Ecological Research: past, present, and future

    Tomonori Tsunoda, Buntarou Kusumoto, Kei-ichi Okada, Yuko Aoshima, Atsushi Kume

    The 30th anniversary of Ecological Research: past, present, and future

    Keywords: Editorial system; International research; Editorial strategies; Journal; The Ecological Society of Japan

    Abstract In 2016, Ecological Research (ER) celebrated its 30th anniversary. ER's goal is to be the leading ecological, evolutionary, and biodiversity journal in Asia. This article introduces the development of ER, improvements to its editorial system and their outcomes, and the strategies designed to achieve this goal. ER has already become a leading comprehensive and international publication as shown by statistical evidence and its strong editorial foundation. However, some members of the Ecological Society of Japan (ESJ) retain impressions of an old stereotype about ER. The discrepancy between the current status of the journal and its stereotype may explain why submissions from Japan remain static. A new article category for ER, Biodiversity in Asia, was created to encourage Asian studies. In addition, the Forum category is dedicated to promoting a broad understanding of the ESJ's various activities. To promote open science, the proportion of open access articles in the journal is increasing. The publication of Data papers has been accelerated to improve the public availability of excellent open data sets. ER symposia and seminars provide good opportunities for members to participate. ER financially supports the invitation of scientists internationally to facilitate research exchanges with other countries and consequently promotes the internationalization of the ESJ. The ESJ is open to the world's ecologists, and your participation in developing ER is welcome.

BIODIVERSITY IN ASIA

  • Buntarou Kusumoto, Takayuki Shiono, Masashi Konoshima, Atsushi Yoshimoto, Takayuki Tanaka, Yasuhiro Kubota
    How well are biodiversity drivers reflected in protected areas? A representativeness assessment of the geohistorical gradients that shaped endemic flora in Japan

    Protected areas function as a lifeboat that can preserve the origins and maintenance of biodiversity. We assessed the representativeness of biodiversity in existing protected areas in Japan using a distribution dataset and phylogenetic tree for 5565 Japanese vascular plant species. We first examined the overlap of species distribution with the existing protected areas and identified the minimum set representing all plant species. Second, we evaluated the relative importance of environmental variables in explaining the spatial arrangement of protected areas using a random forest model. Finally, we clarified how potential drivers of plant diversity were sufficiently captured within the protected areas network.....more


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