A call for more regional editors for Soil Biology & Biochemistry

Soil Biol. &o&m. Vol. 28, No. 8, p. I, 1996 Elsevier Science Ltd. Printed in Great Britain

Pergamon

A CALL FOR MORE REGIONAL EDITORS FOR SOIL BIOLOGY & BIOCHEMISTRY Over the last quarter-century the amount of research effort devoted to life and biochemical activity in soils has increased considerably. So has the number of papers submitted for publication in Soil Biology C? Biochemistry and with no indication there is likely to be a decline in the next decade. Volume 1 of Soil Biology & Biochemistry, published in 1969, consisted of four issues, contained 37 articles and a total of 327 pages. The last complete volume, Volume 27 published in 1995, consisted of 11 issues, contained 220 articles and a total of 1662 pages. Even though Soil Biology & Biochemistry is now printed on larger pages and with smaller type than used for Volume 1, the number of articles and pages published annually have increased more than 5-fold since the inception of the journal. Today, widespread concern and research interest have increased in new and rapidly-developing topic areas relevant to soil biology and soil biochemistry. Some examples are sustainable agriculture, environmental change, soil pollution, bioremediation, the biodiversity of soil organisms and plant growth-promoting organisms. These developments have led to fresh discoveries and new ideas about the role of soil organisms and their biochemical actions and effects in the soil environment. Accordingly, the range of topics published in Soil Biology & Biochemistry is now much broader and more diverse than it was during its first decade of publication. There are several reasons for expanding the size of the Board of Regional Editors. One is to make it better able to cope with the increasing diversity of the subject matter of the papers being submitted for publication. Another reason is to reduce the load on those individual Regional Editors who receive far more than their fair share of submitted papers. A third reason is that with more Regional Editors submitted papers could be processed more rapidly. The composition of the Board of Regional Editors needs to be modified so that there are more female members, there is more even representation of regions or countries on the Board of Regional Editors and to increase the proportion of Regional Editors on the Board who have had extensive experience in the biology and biochemistry of soils in the tropics or developing countries. So, for a variety of good reasons, the time has come to recruit more Regional Editors. The main duties of a Regional Editor are to receive submitted papers and, if they fall within the scope of Soil Biology & Biochemistry, have them assessed by at least two referees. If the referees recommend that a paper is suitable for publication (usually after some revision) it is deemed to be acceptable for publication by the Regional Editor. The paper is then edited and formally accepted for publication by the Executive Editor. Rather than our approaching individuals and asking them to consider joining the Board of Regional Editors of Soil Biology & Biochemistry, it has been decided to make it known that we would like to hear from colleagues who wish to be appointed as Regional Editors. Therefore, letters of interest are invited from colleagues who: l

have had extensive research experience scope of Soil Biology & Biochemistry;

a have published

a substantial in journal

in one or more of the subject areas that fall within the

number of research papers in international

l

are experienced

refereeing;

l

would be keen to initiate innovations

refereed journals;

and in the operation,

content and presentation

of the journal.

Brief letters of interest accompanied by a one-page summary of relevant experience (as outlined above) should be sent to Professor J. S. Waid, PO Box 760, Buderim, Queensland 4556, Australia or by fax to +61 74 769 183. John S. Waid Executive Editor