About the Journal

The Journal of Plankton Research is a forum for papers that significantly advance the field of plankton research, and in particular our understanding of the wider role of plankton in ecosystem dynamics, ecology and evolution.

Hypothesis-driven work is favored. Region-specific findings should be set in a broad general context that advances scientific understanding. Investigations carried out using interdisciplinary methods are particularly encouraged. Papers must be of interest to our broad readership of plankton researchers.  The Journal does not normally consider purely toxicological studies on lab organisms without an ecological or evolutionary context.

JPR seeks to publish the highest quality scientific papers, with rapid publication, and with high standards of technical presentation.

David Cushing Prize
The prize honours the memory of David Cushing, Founding Editor of Journal of Plankton Research. It is awarded annually for the best paper by an early career stage scientist published in the journal during the previous year, where the first author is aged 30 or younger. The value of the prize is £300/$465, awarded in Oxford University Press book vouchers. The name of the award winner will be published in the journal and on the web-site, and the winning paper will be made freely available online. Self-nomination is available as part of the online submission procedure. It is hoped that this prize will help to foster the interesting and high quality papers by young scientists that David Cushing so actively supported and that it will be a lasting legacy to the enormous contribution of the Founding Editor.

To see this year's prize winner and a list of past winners please visit our webpage.

Categories of papers
The Journal of Plankton Research publishes papers in each of the following categories:

• Original articles - traditional research papers of significance and broad interest to the field of plankton research. Text not normally exceeding 7000 words. Max. 12 printed pages inclusive of text, appropriate references, figs, and tables. Subject to standard peer review.
• Brief communication - brief communications concern experiments, or sampling, exploring novel hypotheses but limited by sample size or duration. Unstructured abstract, one paragraph, max 150 words; Main body of text (excluding abstract, tables/figures, and references) not to exceed 1000 words; Max 2 tables or figures; Max 20 references. Subject to standard peer review.
• Horizons articles* - topical and provocative reviews; Manuscripts for consideration should be short, approximately 2500 words. Max. 8 printed pages inclusive of text, appropriate references, figs, and tables. Subject to standard peer review. Authors are encouraged to contact one of the Editors before submitting a manuscript. Potential authors are advised to contact the Editor before submitting regarding the topic and content.
• Review articles - comprehensive reviews and syntheses on topics of wide general interest within plankton research. Potential authors are advised to contact the Editor regarding topic and proposed length. Subject to standard peer review. Authors are encouraged to contact one of the Editors before submitting a manuscript.
• Comments - comments on, or replies to published papers, particularly Horizons articles, are actively encouraged. They should be submitted within 6 months of appearance in the Journal of Plankton Research; approximately 500 words. Max. 2 printed pages. Subject to standard peer review.
• Book reviews - recent books on subjects of interest to plankton researchers. Generally book reviews are solicited by the Editor in Chief. However, suggestions as to books perhaps meriting a review or offers to review a particular title are welcome. Not generally subject to peer review.
• Obituary - notices of the passing of notable plankton researchers are generally solicited by the Editor in Chief. However suggestions are welcome. Not generally subject to peer review.

*The aim of "Horizons" is to be somewhat provocative, to set hypotheses and to suggest methods for testing them. Based on a concise review of the current issues in a particular field of plankton research, the intention is to stimulate new research and to indicate new directions. Short comments on 'Horizons' articles are encouraged. For examples of recent “Horizons” articles see: Horizons Articles.

Journal of Plankton Research also publishes “Themed Clusters” of papers and occasional Special Issues on appropriate topical themes. These may be based on submissions at special sessions at scientific meetings or workshops. For example, “Themed Section: The Continuous Plankton Recorder - towards a global perspective”, J. Plankton Res., 32: 619 - 1713 and “A century of work on Oxyrrhis marina, a re-emerging model protist”, J. Plankton Res., 33: 549 - 675.

Please contact the Editor-in-Chief with proposals for themed clusters of papers or potential Special Issues.

Impact Factor

This information is taken from the Journal Citation Reports^TM (Source Clarivate, 2024), published annually as part of the Science Citation Index by ISI.

Abstracting And Indexing Services

The Journal of Plankton Research is covered by the following major indexing services:

Aquatic Sciences and Fisheries Abstracts
Biological Abstracts
Biological and Agricultural Index
BIOSIS Previews
CAB Abstracts
Current Contents® /Agriculture, Biology, and Environmental Sciences
Ecology Abstracts
Elsevier BIOBASE - Current Awareness in Biological Sciences (CABS)
Geobase
Global Health
Journal Citation Reports /Science Edition
Oceanic Abstracts
Oceanographic Literature Review
Protozoological Abstracts
Science Citation Index Expanded
Scopus
Zoological Record