The Literature of Range Science Based on Citations in the Journal of Range Management

Abstract

Literature citations in the Journal of Range Management URM) were used to indicate and evaluate the various sources of range science literature. Authors in the JRM are presently (1976-1977) obtaining 51.2% of their reference citations from periodical literature, 18.9% from monographic series, 13.0% from books, and 7.3% from regular proceedings, annals, and reviews. Of the total citations made to periodical articles, 27.8% are from the JRM itself with Ecology, Weed Science, Agronomy Journal, Journal of Wildlife Management, and Journal of Forestry ranked next (6.9 to 2.2%). JRM authors are citing primarily U.S. sources of literature (86%), and JRM articles are averaging 13.3 citations per article (1976-1977). The literature of range science is voluminous but widely scattered through an assortment of journals, monographs, monographic seres, symposium proceedings, etc. In a recent bibliography of North American range science literature (Vallentine 1978) covering the years 1935-1977, 20,500 literature items were selected as relating primarily to range science. But no attempt was made to classify objectively these entries as to sources. This study was made to determine the relative significance of various forms and sources of literature being used by range scientists. Literature cited by authors in the JRM was used as evidence bearing upon this question. Knowledge of the major sources of range science literature should be of value not only to range scientists and managers but to all others interested in range science as well.