annual-review-of-ecology-evolution-and-systematics
Annual Review of Ecology, Evolution, and Systematics (annual-review-of-ecology-evolution-and-systematics)
Journal positioning
Annual Review of Ecology, Evolution, and Systematics is published by Annual Reviews and occupies a distinctive niche: it carries only authoritative, comprehensive review articles that survey a field, synthesize its state of knowledge, and chart future directions — it does not publish primary research of any kind. Its defining character is invitation and authority: most articles are commissioned by the editorial committee from established leaders in a subfield, and the writing is expected to define a topic for the broad ecology, evolution, and systematics community for years. The journal rewards reviews that impose conceptual order on a sprawling literature, resolve or sharpen long-running debates, and identify the questions that will drive the next decade. Readership spans the entire EEB community, including graduate students using the article as an entry point. This skill is a fit / venue-selection / re-framing tool. It does not replace the journal's current official guidelines. Before proposing or submitting, re-check the live author instructions on the Annual Reviews AREES site.
When to trigger
- An author has been invited, or is considering proposing, a comprehensive review synthesizing an ecology, evolution, or systematics subfield for AREES.
- A team has a body of synthesis-ready expertise and is choosing between AREES, Trends in Ecology & Evolution, and Biological Reviews.
- A would-be author needs to understand that AREES does not accept primary research, meta-analyses-as-primary-studies, or opinion pieces, before drafting.
- The author needs AREES' invited-review conventions, breadth expectations, and desk-reject criteria before contacting the editorial committee.