Focus and Scope

Mission:

The Journal of Rangeland Applications is devoted to bridging the gap between scientific research and the application of science needed for wise land management decision-making. This journal promotes rangeland management and conservation by providing syntheses of published research on the biophysical, ecological, social, and economic aspects of rangelands management and conservation. Articles will seek relevance to both scholars and practitioners.

Scope:

The scope of this journal includes the synthesis of research topics relevant to rangelands throughout the world with emphasis on Western North America.

  • The editors encourage will occasionally request submission of papers that present scientific summaries, reviews, and syntheses of rangeland topics.
  • This journal is not designed as an outlet to report findings of individual or combined experiments.
  • Authors are invited to submit articles that bring clarity to topics on which conflicting research information exists.
  • Articles in this journal will not recommend specific management approaches. Rather, submissions are sought that synthesize and summarize information necessary to make well-informed management decisions.

Target Audience:

This open access, peer-reviewed, and refereed journal will provide decision makers and managers of rangeland and related resources free access to high-quality research summaries on a broad range of topics with clear relevance to rangeland management.

Peer Review Process

Intent to Submit - Authors wishing to submit a manuscript to the Journal of Rangeland Applications must first complete the “Intent to Submit” form (found here). This form will be reviewed by editors to ensure the proposed topic will be relevant to the JRA audience and that it fits within the types of articles accepted by the JRA.

Format Compliance – Articles accepted for submission will follow manuscript format as presented in the JRA Author Guidelines. Submitted manuscripts will first be reviewed by editorial staff for compliance with the format requirements. Manuscripts that do not comply will be returned to the corresponding author.

Review Process – One or more of the JRA editors will suggest a slate of reviewers for each submitted manuscript. The panel will include 3 to 4 reviewers with a range of experiences in the science and management of rangelands. Every effort will be made to select reviewers with knowledge specific to the topic and/or region addressed in the manuscript.

The team of reviewers will meet by conference call to discuss the merits or weaknesses of the manuscript. Reviewers will evaluate the manuscript for scientific integrity, technical accuracy, and value for application to rangeland management. The review team will come to consensus whether to accept or decline the submission. Specific suggestions will be developed to improve manuscripts accepted for publication.

Preparation of Accepted Manuscripts – Authors will be asked to make necessary changes outlined by reviewers.  The final revised manuscript will be reviewed by copyeditors to improve the manuscript’s style, grammar, and format. Editorial staff will send page proofs to authors for their review and approval.

Publication and Indexing - The JRA will publish the manuscript online without paper copies created. The University of Idaho Library will appropriately catalogue and index the article for access by academic internet search procedures.

Publication Frequency

Articles in the Journal of Rangeland Applications are published as they become ready, by adding them to the current volume's Table of Contents. Volumes will commence by year, beginning with Volume 1 in 2014 and the full table of contents for each volume will be created at the end of each year.

Open Access Policy

This journal provides immediate open access to its content on the principle that making research freely available to the public supports a greater global exchange of knowledge.

About the Journal

This journal promotes rangeland management and conservation by providing syntheses of published research on the biophysical, ecological, social, and economic aspects of rangeland management and conservation.  Articles will seek relevance to both scholars and practitioners.

Journal History

The Journal of Rangeland Applications was created in 2013 by a group of rangeland researchers and managers who realized the value of synthesizing existing published information about rangeland ecology and management.  The initial effort was fueled by the Owyhee Initiative (http://www.owyheeinitiative.org/) in Idaho, which spearheaded the creation of a series of science guides aimed at providing scientific information to land managers.

 

The University of Idaho Library and Rangeland Center created the initial template for the Journal of Rangeland Applications. The guiding principles of the journal were drafted by a design team including professionals active in the research and application of rangeland ecology. This design team included:

Researchers:

  • Karen Launchbaugh – University of Idaho
  • Tony Svejcar – Agricultural Research Service
  • John Tanaka – University of Wyoming

Cooperative Extension:

  • Brad Schultz – Extension University of Nevada
  • Megan Clayton – Texas A&M University Extension

Agency Land Manager:

  • John Rademacher  - Oregon Bureau of Land Management

Conservation and Policy Maker:

  • Bob Budd – Wyoming Wildlife and Natural Resource Trust

Rancher:

  • John O’Keefe – Oregon Cattleman

Librarian and Information Specialists:

  • Lovina Roselle – University of Idaho
  • Jeremy Kenyon – University of Idaho Library
  • Devin Becker – University of Idaho Library
  • Annie Gaines – University of Idaho Library