About the Journal

Journal of Plankton Research publishes innovative papers that significantly advance the field of plankton research, and in particular, our understanding of plankton dynamics. The main topics covered are:

• plankton ecology and behaviour, including model and theoretical studies
• plankton physiology, including experimental results
• molecular biology, genetics and taxonomy of planktonic organisms
• biological properties and content of natural waters as they impinge directly on plankton physiology and ecology
• development and testing of new methods for plankton research

All kinds of marine, brackish and freshwater plankton are considered: viruses, bacteria, fungi, phytoplankton, and zooplankton, including meroplankton and ichthyoplankton.

Hypothesis-driven work is particularly welcomed; purely descriptive papers will generally not be considered. Investigations carried out using interdisciplinary methods are particularly encouraged.

Taxonomic papers will be considered if they are within the scope of the Journal. Suitable papers might comprise descriptions of new species or re-classifications of environmentally important organisms (max. 20 printed pages inclusive of text, figs. and tables).

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 35 or younger. The value of the prize is £250/$500. 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.

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

• Standard papers - traditional research papers or critical reviews; max. 40 pages inclusive of text, figs. and tables.
• Short communications – these should not exceed 2000 words of text (excl. references and figures). The method, results and discussion should all be presented in a single section. Include a short Abstract (30 words) and present the acknowledgements and references as in a full-length paper. 5 printed pages inclusive of figs, tables and references.
• Horizons articles* - topical and provocative reviews; short, approx 2500 words, max. 20 printed pages inclusive of text, figs. and tables.
• Responses - comments on, or replies to published papers within 6 months of appearance in the Journal of Plankton Research; max. 5 printed pages.

*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. For example, Xabier Irigoien (2004) Some ideas about the role of lipids in the life cycle of Calanus finmarchicus. J. Plankton Res. 26:259–263.

Journal of Plankton Research also publishes “Clusters” of papers on appropriate topical themes. These may be based on submissions at special sessions at scientific meetings or workshops. For example, “The role of zooplankton predator–prey interactions in structuring plankton communities”, J. Plankton Res., 27: 957. Please contact the Editor-in-Chief with proposals for themed groups of papers.

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