Frontiers of Biogeography, a new frontier for the IBS

Abstract

editorial ISSN 1948-6596 Frontiers of Biogeography, a new frontier for the IBS Welcome to the first issue of Frontiers of Biogeog- raphy - the scientific magazine of the International Biogeography Society. The birth of this publication marks another major stage in the growth of the Society, one that reflects on our history and looks to the future. The magazine results from joining two prior publications: [1] the IBS newsletter, which grew from an update of Society business in 2003 to a publication on current affairs in bio- geography by 2008, and [2] the Frontiers of Bio- geography series, initiated by Mark Lomolino and Lawrence Heaney to publish the symposia of the first annual meeting of the IBS (see Heaney and Lomolino this issue). In conjoining, the magazine will fulfil the goal of the original Frontiers of Bio- geography book: to provide a series of integrative and interdisciplinary volumes published and de- veloped in association with the International Bio- geography Society (Lomolino and Heaney 2004). The title, Frontiers of Biogeography, was chosen to convey the message that this publica- tion will follow the lead of its predecessors, in- cluding diverse contributions on the state-of-the- art and the future of research in biogeography plus its practical application. The magazine aims to distinguish itself from existing biogeography journals by providing an eminent forum for syn- theses and prospectives that will push forward the boundaries of biogeography philosophy and prac- tice. We aim to demonstrate not simply how bio- geography is being done – existing journals al- ready do this wonderfully – but rather to offer insights into how it has been, and how it might be, done. Frontiers of Biogeography will, therefore, publish texts that include new ideas, novel ways to think about existing information, and innova- tive ways to practice biogeography rather than studies collecting new data which are the corner- stones of existing journals. You can see a con- densed description of the sections in the next page. We aim to foster discussion across the field by bringing together diverse topics under one ti- tle, and to promote debate by publishing substan- tiated but perhaps controversial opinions. The subtitle, ‘the scientific magazine of the International Biogeography Society’ was chosen to communicate that this will be a place where you – whatever your walk of life – can find rigorous sci- ence in an easy-to-read format. Everyone is busy, so our goal is to bring a sample of the best in bio- geography to you. By adopting a lighter reading format, we aim to bridge gaps between research- ers, practitioners, and those with different inter- ests. The magazine is created by and for bio- geographers of all kinds: graduate students, post- docs, faculty, and other researchers who study the geography of nature, including ecologists, evolu- tionary biologists, paleontologists and conserva- tion biologists. It can only be a success if it contin- ues the tradition of the International Biogeogra- phy Society, IBS Newsletter, and Frontiers of Bio- geography book of engaging junior and senior bio- geographers around the globe. As well as reading and enjoying the magazine, we hope you will con- tribute! Joaquin Hortal Editor-in-Chief, Frontiers of Biogeography Imperial College London, UK Michael N Dawson Vice-President for Public Affairs & Communi- cations, International Biogeography Society University of California, Merced, USA References Heaney, L.R. & Lomolino, M.V. (2009) From the Foun- dations to the Frontiers of Biogeography. Fron- tiers of Biogeography, 1, 3-4. Lomolino, M.V. & Heaney, L.R. (eds.). (2004) Frontiers of Biogeography: New Directions in the Geogra- phy of Nature. Sinauer Associates, Sunderland, MA. frontiers of biogeography 1.1, 2009 — © 2009 the authors; journal compilation © 2009 The International Biogeography Society