Ambio

Ambio. It is a leading international peer-reviewed scientific journal dedicated to publishing research on the interactions between humanity and the natural environment. Established in 1972 by the Royal Swedish Academy of Sciences, the journal provides a critical forum for interdisciplinary studies in environmental science and sustainability. Its content bridges the gap between scientific research and practical policy-making, addressing global environmental challenges.

History and background

The journal was founded in 1972 under the auspices of the Royal Swedish Academy of Sciences, with its creation influenced by growing global environmental awareness exemplified by events like the United Nations Conference on the Human Environment held in Stockholm that same year. Early editorial direction was shaped by prominent Swedish scientists, including those affiliated with the International Geosphere-Biosphere Programme. Throughout its history, the publication has been closely associated with major international scientific assessments, such as those conducted by the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change and the Millennium Ecosystem Assessment. Its consistent publication from its base in Sweden has made it a witness to and chronicler of the evolution of global environmental policy and science over five decades.

Scope and publication details

The journal covers a broad, interdisciplinary scope focused on the human dimensions of environmental change. Primary research areas include climate change, biodiversity loss, ecosystem services, pollution, water resources, and land use change. It is published by Springer with eight issues annually, ensuring a steady flow of contemporary research. The editorial board is composed of leading international scholars from institutions like the Stockholm Resilience Centre, the Potsdam Institute for Climate Impact Research, and Stanford University. Each issue typically contains research articles, review papers, and occasional special sections dedicated to pressing themes, such as the Anthropocene or planetary boundaries.

Abstracting, indexing, and impact

The journal is abstracted and indexed in all major scientific databases, including the Science Citation Index Expanded, Scopus, and PubMed. According to the Journal Citation Reports, it has consistently held a high impact factor in the categories of Environmental Sciences and Ecology, with a 2022 score of 6.7. This strong metric reflects its influence within the scientific community and its role in shaping discourse among researchers at organizations like the International Institute for Applied Systems Analysis and the World Resources Institute. Its long-term archive provides a valuable resource for tracking the development of key environmental concepts over time.

Editorial policies and access

The journal operates under a rigorous peer-review process managed by an international editorial board. It employs a hybrid open-access model, allowing authors to publish their work under the Creative Commons license for immediate public availability. The publication adheres to ethical guidelines set by bodies such as the Committee on Publication Ethics. While subscription access is provided through SpringerLink, selected content, including seminal reports from the Royal Swedish Academy of Sciences, is often made freely available to support wider dissemination of critical environmental knowledge to policymakers and the public.

Thematic focus and key contributions

A defining characteristic is its focus on solution-oriented research at the science-policy interface. It has published groundbreaking special issues on topics like resilience thinking, the nitrogen cycle, and Arctic environmental change. The journal has been instrumental in disseminating research from major global initiatives, including the Future Earth programme and assessments by the Intergovernmental Science-Policy Platform on Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services. Notable contributions have included early warnings on ocean acidification, analyses of deforestation in the Amazon Basin, and studies on sustainable development pathways in alignment with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals.

Category:Environmental science journals Category:Publications established in 1972 Category:English-language journals Category:Springer Science+Business Media academic journals