Journal of the North American Benthological Society

J-NABS is celebrating its 25th anniversary by publishing a special issue of the Journal. The issue is titled A 25th-year Anniversary Issue: The Role of J-NABS in Freshwater Benthic Science (Pamela Silver and Alan D. Steinman [editors]). It consists of 18 review papers that address the progress of 18 subdisciplines within benthology and the role of the Journal in the development of each subdiscipline. Authors provide a broad review of the literature, place the papers published in J-NABS within an historical context (each author includes a timeline of key papers in their field), and analyze the contribution of papers published in J-NABS to the subdiscipline. They also describe challenges and opportunities for future development of the field.

Articles

View and download the articles in the current issue.

The role of a discipline-specific journal in scientific discovery. By: P. Silver, A. D. Steinman, I. Polls

Stream hydrogeomorphology as a physical science basis for advances in stream ecology.  By: G. C. Poole

Ecology and management of the hyporheic zone: stream–groundwater interactions of running waters and their floodplains. By: A. J. Boulton, T. Datry, T. Kasahara, M. Mutz, J. A. Stanford

Recent developments in landscape approaches for the study of aquatic ecosystems. By: L. B. Johnson, G. E. Host

The evolving legacy of disturbance in stream ecology: concepts, contributions, and coming challenges.  By: E. H. Stanley, S. M. Powers, N. R. Lottig

Patch dynamics and environmental heterogeneity in lotic ecosystems. By: K. O. Winemiller, A. S. Flecker, D. J. Hoeinghaus

Nutrient dynamics in streams and the role of J-NABS. By: P. J. Mulholland, J. R. Webster

A review of allochthonous organic matter dynamics and metabolism in streams. By: J. L. Tank, E. J. Rosi-Marshall, N. A. Griffiths, S. A. Entrekin, M. L. Stephen

Taxonomy and systematics: contributions to benthology and J-NABS. By: R. W. Holzenthal, D. R. Robertson, S. U. Pauls, P. K. Mendez

Stream microbial ecology. By: S. Findlay

A prospectus for periphyton: recent and future ecological research. By: S. T. Larned

Recent trends in life-history research on benthic macroinvertebrates. By: V. H. Resh, D. M. Rosenberg

Biotic interactions in freshwater benthic habitats. By: J. R. Holomuzki, J. W. Feminella, M. E. Power

Linkages among aquatic ecosystems. By: G. A. Lamberti, D. T. Chaloner, A. E. Hershey

Benthic invertebrate production—facilitating answers to ecological riddles in freshwater ecosystems. By: A. C. Benke, A. D. Huryn

Responses of freshwater biota to human disturbances: contribution of J-NABS to developments in ecological integrity assessments. By: S. Dolédec, B. Statzner

The reference condition: predicting benchmarks for ecological and water-quality assessments. By: C. P. Hawkins, J. R. Olson, R. A. Hill

Freshwater biodiversity conservation: recent progress and future challenges. By: D. L. Strayer, D. Dudgeon

BRIDGES: Evolution of basic and applied linkages in benthic science. By: N. G. Aumen, M. E. Gurtz, M. T. Barbour, A. Moerke

The J-NABS 25th anniversary issue: reflecting on the past, synthesizing the present, and projecting into the future. By: A. D. Steinman, P. Silver, S. Fisher, J. L. Meyer

The anniversary issue will be published in March 2010, and will appear online (100% open access) 5 February 2010. This issue will be ~400 pages long and we hope it will become a reference book for the discipline. Topics include hydrology, the hyporheos, landscape ecology, disturbance, patch dynamics, taxonomy/systematics, microbial ecology, periphyton, biotic interactions, life histories, ecosystem linkages, secondary production, bioassessment (2 chapters), conservation, and basic/applied science (Bridges).

If you have a print subscription to J-NABS your Anniversary Issue will arrive in February. If you do not have a print subscription or if you want additional copies, the issue can be purchased separately for $29.95. Copies will be available in Santa Fe, or you can order one directly by contacting Irwin Polls (ipolls@comcast.net). Payment must be received before copies will be shipped.

About J-NABS

The Journal of the North American Benthological Society (ISSN 0887-3593) is published quarterly (March, June, September, and December) by the North American Benthological Society, P.O. Box 7065, Lawrence, Kansas 66044-7065 USA. The North American Benthological Society is a not-for-profit organization founded in 1953 and incorporated in the State of Illinois in 1967.

The Journal of the North American Benthological Society  publishes articles that will promote further understanding of benthic communities and their roles in aquatic ecosystems. In keeping with the current interests of most Society members, emphasis will be on freshwater inland habitats. However, papers on aspects of estuarine and marine benthology that address common ecological processes and properties are also encouraged. Submissions can range from full-length treatments to short papers. Short papers should tell a complete story and be supported by data.

The editors welcome a wide range of benthological topics, including: physical and chemical properties of lentic and lotic habitats; ecosystem processes; community structure and function; aquatic linkages; ecology and systematics of organisms, from bacteria to benthic-feeding vertebrates; conservation and restoration; environmental management and pollution; and methods for basic or applied work. Theoretical discussions and critical appraisals of rapidly developing research fields also will be considered. Reviews, meta-analyses, perspectives, and book reviews are welcome.

Special series in J-NABS

The Rosemary Mackay Fund (RMF) is intended to promote the publication of speculative, forward-looking, and philosophical articles on any aspect of benthic science (see J-NABS 17/4, 25/1). This series is designed to give authors the opportunity to present ideas that are new and different (new analytical or philosophical approaches, new paradigms and concepts, novel applications of old or new methods or of ideas and tools from other disciplines to benthology). Researchers at any stage of their careers, including students, are invited to submit ideas to the Editor.

Perspectives articles should express ideas, points of view, or comments on topics of interest to benthologists. New and original papers or comments on items already published in J-NABS are welcome,as is speculation likely to stimulate worthwhile discussion. Alternative viewpoints should be instructive rather than merely contradictory or argumentative. Format and style may be less formal than for research papers; large data sets are not appropriate. Contact the Editor for further information.

Bridges is a forum for contrasting or complementary perspectives on new and emerging ideas in aquatic science. Clusters of short articles offering different perspectives within a topic area are welcome. Topics that build across disciplines are preferred, e.g., integrating public policy and science, improving communication among scientists and other communities, or linking scientific disciplines. Authors or guest editors with ideas for topics should contact Bridges Editors, Ashley Moerke (amoerke@lssu.edu) or Allison Roy (roy@kutztown.edu).

Comments provide the opportunity to offer substantive comments, criticisms, or corrections related to articles published in J-NABS within the past year. Comments should be brief (≤3 pp.); tables and figures should be avoided. Contact the Editor for information.

Short papers with the potential for immediate impact (scientific, applied, management, or policy issues and Comments) can be FastTracked to ensure the most rapid turn around time possible. Papers should be ≤8 pp. and must be accompanied by a cover letter that justifies the need for such handling. Contact the Editor for information.