Ecosystems and People

Ecosystems and People is an interdisciplinary journal that addresses how biodiversity and ecosystems underpin human quality of life, and how societal activities and preferences drive changes in ecosystems. Research published in Ecosystems and People addresses human-nature relationships and social-ecological systems in a broad sense. This embraces research on biodiversity, ecosystem services, their contributions to quality of life, implications for equity and justice, and the diverse and rich ways in which people relate to nature.

In the rapidly changing world of the Anthropocene, the main challenge for humanity is how can we protect, manage, and restore nature in such a way that human well-being can be sustained and improved, particularly for those most vulnerable. This Journal aims to improve our understanding of the role of biodiversity and ecosystems in providing ecosystem services and nature’s contributions to people that enhance quality of life. In addition, it aims to improve our understanding of the management systems and policies needed to maintain biodiversity and achieve sustainable and equitable use of ecosystem services. Research published in Ecosystems and People addresses these challenges in an interdisciplinary way, which builds on integrative approaches from both natural sciences and social sciences (including anthropology, sociology, humanities).

Research topics

Papers published in Ecosystems and People preferably address at least one of the following themes:

• The link between biodiversity and ecosystem services; i.e. what is the role of biodiversity in providing ecosystem services?
• The link between ecosystem services and management; i.e. how can ecosystem services be sustainably managed and what are the trade-offs in service provision across management systems (e.g., land-use conflicts)?
• The link between biodiversity and management; i.e. what are the effects of different management systems (including conservation) on biodiversity?
• The link between ecosystem services and quality of life; i.e. how can ecosystem services contribute to the different dimensions of human well-being and which intrinsic, instrumental and relational values do people hold?
• The link between governance, management and equitable use and distribution of ecosystem services; i.e. how can management contribute to the equal distribution of ecosystem services among different societal groups? And what aspects of procedural and recognitional justice are crucial in governing ecosystems for the benefit of ecosystems and people?
• The link between knowledge and data regarding biodiversity, ecosystem services and quality of life and policy making; i.e. how can ecosystem service science inform decision making, and how can decision making influence sustainable provision and use of ecosystem services?

Developing, improving and discussing original approaches, methods and tools to assess the above-mentioned questions in a decision-making or management context is a crucial aspect in all papers published in Ecosystems and People . All papers should highlight the relevance of findings for decision making and are strongly encouraged to provide recommendations for landscape and seascape management, land-use and sea-use planning, and biodiversity conservation.

Truly inter- and transdisciplinary journal
Articles may be interdisciplinary, drawing from environmental science, ecology, conservation biology, and sustainability science, as well as anthropology, sociology, humanities and other social sciences. Both, natural and social sciences, as well as qualitative and quantitative research approaches are welcome. Transdisciplinary and participatory articles where research output is co-produced alongside community partners, including indigenous, traditional, and local knowledge holders, is also welcome. Systems addressed may range from natural and semi-natural ecosystems (including terrestrial, aquatic and marine systems) to cultivated systems and urban ecosystems. Ecosystems and People also considers studies that approach systems from a social-ecological and human-nature systems perspective. We encourage inclusive and context-specific research approaches that reflect diverse cultural realities, and provide salient and legitimate research findings.

Types of Paper
Ecosystems and People accepts original Research Papers, Perspectives, Short Communications, Letters to the Editor, Reviews, and Book Reviews. The editors aim to follow a personal and inclusive approach, and support equal representation of all the continents, of researchers at different stages in their career and genders. Junior researchers, female scholars from outside Western Europe and North America are too-often excluded from academic debates. We invite them to take part in the academic debate through Ecosystems and People , where we will open regular opportunities to submit papers.

Preparation of manuscripts should be in accordance with the Instructions for Authors.