Research across the whole of the nature sector
Nature Scan Journal publishes research, field evidence and practice from forestry, biodiversity, ecology, agriculture, environment and sustainability — with a standing commitment to work grounded in South Asian landscapes.
Forestry, biodiversity, ecology, agriculture, environment and sustainability — with a standing commitment to work grounded in South Asian landscapes.
First decision within twelve weeks · Author retains copyright · Published under CC BY 4.0
Aims & scope
The journal is deliberately broad within the nature sector: we publish any rigorous study whose subject is a living landscape, the species in it, or the people who depend on it. Work anchored in South Asia is our centre of gravity, but comparable studies from other tropical regions are welcome.
Any rigorous study whose subject is a living landscape, the species in it, or the people who depend on it.
Forests & forestry
Silviculture, regeneration, non-timber forest produce, working plans, plantation and agroforestry systems, forest governance.Silviculture, NTFP, agroforestry, governance.
Biodiversity & conservation
Taxonomy and distribution, threatened species, protected areas, human–wildlife interactions, community conservation.Taxonomy, threatened species, protected areas.
Ecology & ecosystem services
Population and community ecology, soil and freshwater systems, pollination, carbon and water regulation, valuation.Soil, freshwater, pollination, carbon, valuation.
Agriculture & food systems
Horticulture, medicinal and aromatic plants, crop diversity, organic and regenerative practice, farmer livelihoods.Horticulture, medicinal plants, crop diversity.
Environment & restoration
Land and water quality, pollution and impact assessment, mine and coastal restoration, green belts, urban ecology.Impact assessment, green belts, urban ecology.
Sustainability & policy
Climate adaptation, certification and standards, ESG and corporate practice, SDG-linked programmes, environmental education.Climate, certification, ESG, SDGs, education.
What we publish
Each section has its own review standard and length. Field evidence and monitoring data are first-class contributions here, not afterthoughts — much of it has nowhere else to go.
Each section has its own review standard and length.
Research articles
Full original studies with a stated question, method and dataset.
Short communications
New distribution records, range extensions, first reports and brief findings.
Review articles
Syntheses of published evidence, including systematic and scoping reviews.
Field & practice notes
Restoration and management case studies from practitioners, including what did not work.
Data papers
Datasets, inventories and long-term monitoring records, described for reuse and deposited in a public repository.
Perspectives & policy
Evidence-based positions on policy, standards and practice.
Current issue
Browse all archivesEditorial team
Announcements
Call for papers: inaugural issue now open
Editorial board announced
Reviewers invited to join the panel
Indexing & preservation
We state our status honestly and update it as each application is decided.
Be told when we publish
One email per issue, plus calls for papers. Registering also lets you submit a manuscript or serve as a reviewer.