Marine Ecology-An Evolutionary Perspective

Marine Ecology publishes original contributions on the structure and dynamics of marine benthic and pelagic ecosystems, communities and populations, and on the critical links between ecology and the evolution of marine organisms. The journal prioritizes contributions elucidating fundamental aspects of species interaction and adaptation to the environment through integration of information from various organizational levels (molecules to ecosystems) and different disciplines (molecular biology, genetics, biochemistry, physiology, marine biology, natural history, geography, oceanography, palaeontology and modelling) as viewed from an ecological perspective. The journal also focuses on population genetic processes, evolution of life histories, morphological traits and behaviour, historical ecology and biogeography, macro-ecology and seascape ecology, palaeo-ecological reconstruction, and ecological changes due to introduction of new biota, human pressure or environmental change. Most applied marine science, including fisheries biology, aquaculture, natural-products chemistry, toxicology, and local pollution studies lie outside the scope of the journal. Papers should address ecological questions that would be of interest to a worldwide readership of ecologists; papers of mostly local interest, including descriptions of flora and fauna, taxonomic descriptions, and range extensions will not be considered. In preparing manuscripts the authors should clearly identify: (1) those aspects of their work that are particularly novel (2) the implications of their results for other regions, other ecosystems and other disciplines. Authors should strive to reach the broadest possible audience by clearly identifying the questions and hypotheses underlying their research, by placing their work in a general context (through relevant literature citations), and by clarifying the historical, local, regional and global implications of their findings.