Authors submitting to a special issue should review the thematic scope and follow JPAE submission standards. Special issues follow the same peer review and production workflow as regular submissions.

• Confirm scope fit with the special issue theme
• Prepare data and code availability statements
• Document species and habitat definitions
• Ensure figures and tables are publication ready
• Prepare a cover letter referencing the special issue

Clearly indicate the special issue title in the cover letter and manuscript metadata. This helps editors route the submission to the correct guest editor team.

All special issue submissions undergo initial screening for scope fit, ethical compliance, and data transparency. Submissions that do not align with the theme may be redirected to the regular journal track.

• Define clear thematic boundaries to avoid scope drift during submissions.
• Outline expected article types and recommended submission timelines.
• Coordinate with guest editors on reviewer availability early.
• Provide outreach plans for inviting key contributors.
• Include diversity goals for geographic and ecosystem coverage.
• Encourage data and code sharing within the special issue.
• Provide a short editorial introduction for the issue at launch.
• Use consistent tagging and metadata for special issue articles.
• Plan promotional updates for accepted articles.
• Set expectations for revision turnaround times.
• Recommend reviewer pools with ecology and conservation expertise.
• Clarify how conflicts of interest for guest editors are managed.
• Align submission deadlines with peer review capacity.
• Encourage cross issue collaborations or companion datasets.
• Provide a single contact point for special issue questions.
• Ensure all submissions follow standard ethical policies.
• Suggest opportunities for webinars or virtual symposia.
• Establish criteria for closing the issue after publication goals are met.
• Define clear reviewer turnaround targets for each submission wave.
• Maintain a shared tracker for invited and submitted manuscripts.
• Encourage contributors to share data and code in consistent repositories.
• Provide templates for guest editor introductions and summaries.
• Set expectations for editorial meetings or status updates.
• Define criteria for desk rejection to manage scope fit.
• Ensure consistent peer review standards across all submissions.
• Coordinate with the editorial office on production timelines.
• Plan outreach to conferences or community forums.
• Encourage authors to include a plain language summary when appropriate.
• Define how companion datasets or tools will be promoted.
• Clarify how revised timelines will be communicated to authors.
• Recommend backup reviewers for highly specialized topics.
• Establish a communication plan for issue closure and publication dates.
• Encourage reproducibility statements tailored to the issue theme.

JPAE is committed to rigorous, transparent publishing in plant and animal ecology. We emphasize reproducible field methods, clear reporting of ecological context, and ethical compliance across all article types.

The editorial office supports authors, editors, and reviewers with clear guidance and responsive communication. For questions about scope or workflow, contact [email protected].

We encourage continuous improvement in reporting practices and share updates that help the community maintain high standards in ecological research and conservation science.