ISSN 0075-6458 printed version
ISSN 2071-0771 versión on-line

INSTRUCTIONS TO AUTHORS

• Scope and policy
• Form and preparation of manuscripts
• Manuscripts submission

Focus and scope: Koedoe publishes original papers on all aspects of conservation science, as well as on policy and management related issues. This journal provides novel, exciting and baseline scientific information on many conservation areas in South Africa as well as on the African continent generally.

With its platform in the open access arena, Koedoe is well positioned to become the journal of choice for conservation scientists, ecologists, biologists and protected area practitioners across Africa. We aim to include all forms of protected areas, from large state national parks to small regional and local game and nature reserves, cultural and environmental heritage areas to private conservation endeavours

Underlying the conservation science we promote is how scientific and policy research in one place might become relevant to other protected areas in similar settings. In this way, we aim to facilitate knowledge generation and information sharing around the African continent, and even beyond. To this end, we have introduced a new structured abstract format that concludes with a section entitled "Conservation Implications", in which authors are explicitly requested to defend the relevance of their work to a broader constituency.

Disseminating reliable scientific and policy information is increasingly vital as global biodiversity faces increasing pressures and protected areas become more important in maintaining habitats, species, ecosystem services and in ensuring environmental resilience. However, the protected areas estate is increasingly fragmented under pressure from development and global climate change. Africa's unique socio-ecological systems, together with some of the largest protected areas in the world are of planetary importance. Moreover, tourism initiatives are frequently centred on protected areas, thus providing economic stimulus in otherwise marginalised regions. The journal works towards understanding, documenting and mitigating the negative influences of human development on conservation areas within the context of complex socio-ecological interactions.

Peer review process: All manuscripts submitted to Koedoe are reviewed by at least two experts in the relevant field before the editor grants permission for publication. All manuscripts submitted for review undergo a double-blind review process, excluding those authored by the editor which is peer reviewed by at least three specialists. The international advisors on the editorial board assist the editor with the evaluation of review reports. Reviewers respect the confidentiality of the review process and the proprietary rights of those who have submitted the manuscripts.

The author guidelines can be found at http://www.koedoe.co.za/index.php/koedoe/about/submissions#authorGuidelines

Please use this document: http://files.ithuta.net/OpenJournals/KOEDOE/Authors/Author%20Guidelines.pdf

Articles: Koedoe publishes original research articles, review articles, essays, short communications and book reviews. Please find the policies for each below:

Original Research

Original research articles should be between 3500 - 7000 words and inform readers of innovative research in a particular field of protected area conservation and science, presented according to a clear and well-structured format. Research published in this section should add to the existing body of published work in this field. Original research articles should be divided into the following sections:

• Methods and Materials
• Results
• Discussion
• Conclusions
• Acknowledgements (if applicable)
• References

Review Articles

Review articles should be between 5000 - 7000 words and provide a comprehensive review of a particular conservation specialism.

Essays

Essays should be between 1000-3000 words. Submissions in this category are less documented than original research, containing less formally structured discussions of issues pertinent to protected area conservation and science.

Short Communications

Short communications should be between 500 - 1000 words and inform the reader of the author's opinion on a particular aspect of area conservation or their reaction to a previously published paper. This section encourages debate amongst authors and readers on topical issues of national and global importance to the field of protected area conservation.

Book reviews are between 500 and 1000 words, and are mostly invited, but submissions to this section are also welcome.

Article processing fees (APF): The APF for this journal is ZAR 377.95 [excluding VAT] per A4 output page in PDF format. The APF Per Page, for online only supplementary Tables/Figures: 80.00 [ZAR] This APF will be valid for the calendar year 2009 and may be changed at any time in the sole discretion of the publisher.

Manuscripts are to be submitted online at www.koedoe.co.za - click on "Submissions"

Authors will be required to log in, or to register if first time users.