South African Journal of Botany

South African Journal of Botany
Title	South African Journal of Botany
Discipline	Botany
Language	English
Abbreviation	S. Afr. J. Bot.
Publisher	Elsevier on behalf of the South African Association of Botanists
Country	South Africa
History	1935–present
Frequency	Bimonthly
Openaccess	Hybrid
Issn	0254-6299

South African Journal of Botany is a peer-reviewed scientific journal covering research on Botany with emphasis on southern African flora and ecosystems. The journal publishes original research, reviews, and notes addressing plant biodiversity, plant physiology, ecology, taxonomy, conservation and restoration, often in contexts linked to institutions such as the University of Cape Town, Stellenbosch University, University of Pretoria, University of the Witwatersrand and research organizations like the South African National Biodiversity Institute and the Council for Scientific and Industrial Research. It serves researchers, practitioners and policymakers connected to regions and topics including the Cape Floristic Region, Namaqualand, Kruger National Park, Succulent Karoo, Fynbos and broader southern African biomes.

History

The journal was launched in 1935 amid institutional developments at the University of Cape Town, University of the Witwatersrand and the Royal Society of South Africa, reflecting a growing scholarly network that included contributors affiliated with the South African Association for the Advancement of Science and conservation efforts tied to the National Parks Board. Early editors collaborated with botanists who had links to the Kew Gardens, Natural History Museum, London, Royal Botanical Gardens, Glasgow and colonial-era collectors associated with expeditions to Namibia, Mozambique and Zimbabwe. Over decades the journal paralleled shifts in South African research funding from agencies like the National Research Foundation (South Africa) and saw contributors connected to international programs such as the International Union for Conservation of Nature and the Global Biodiversity Information Facility.

Scope and content

The journal covers empirical and theoretical studies from teams based at universities including Oxford University, University of Cambridge, Harvard University, Yale University, University of Edinburgh and regional centers such as University of KwaZulu-Natal and North-West University. Topics range from plant systematics involving genera described by authors linked to the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew and the Missouri Botanical Garden to physiological work with links to laboratories at the Max Planck Society, Smithsonian Institution and Scripps Institution of Oceanography. Articles often address conservation priorities championed by organizations like BirdLife International, World Wide Fund for Nature and projects funded through the European Union or bilateral programs with institutions such as the National Science Foundation and Australian Research Council.

Editorial board and peer review

The editorial board comprises academics and practitioners affiliated with institutions such as Stellenbosch University, University of Cape Town, University of Pretoria, University of Johannesburg and international partners at University of California, Berkeley, University of Tokyo, Université Pierre et Marie Curie and the Chinese Academy of Sciences. Peer review follows standards similar to those advocated by bodies like the Committee on Publication Ethics and publishers including Elsevier, employing external referees drawn from networks that include members of the International Association for Plant Taxonomy, the Ecological Society of America and the Society for Conservation Biology.

Publication and access

Published bimonthly by Elsevier on behalf of the South African Association of Botanists, the journal uses a hybrid open access model compatible with mandates from funders such as the Wellcome Trust, the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation and national agencies like the National Research Foundation (South Africa). Distribution channels include digital platforms operated by publishers with indexing partnerships tied to services run by Clarivate, Scopus, PubMed Central and libraries at institutions like the National Library of South Africa, Library of Congress and the British Library.

Abstracting and indexing

The journal is abstracted and indexed in major databases managed by organizations such as Clarivate Analytics (Web of Science), Elsevier (Scopus), EBSCO, ProQuest and national repositories coordinated with the South African National Biodiversity Institute and the African Journals Online platform. Coverage ensures discoverability alongside journals in collections curated by entities like the Royal Society and aggregators servicing universities such as University of Cape Town and University of Pretoria.

Impact and reception

The journal's impact is measured through citation metrics reported by Clarivate Analytics and Elsevier and is recognized by academic assessment frameworks used by universities including Stellenbosch University and University of Cape Town. It is cited in policy documents from organizations such as the Department of Environment, Forestry and Fisheries (South Africa), conservation planning by the South African National Parks and international assessments like the Intergovernmental Science-Policy Platform on Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services. Peer reception includes awards and acknowledgments associated with learned societies like the South African Association of Botanists and collaborations with botanical gardens including Kirstenbosch National Botanical Garden.

Notable articles and special issues

Notable contributions have included floristic syntheses with links to researchers associated with the Curtis Botanical Magazine, taxonomic revisions comparable to treatments in the Kew Bulletin, and ecological syntheses referenced by the International Union for Conservation of Nature. Special issues have focused on themes such as Fynbos restoration, invasive species management relevant to the Kruger National Park, and climate change impacts studied in collaboration with groups at the University of Oxford, Columbia University and the University of Cape Town.

Category:Botany journals Category:Academic journals established in 1935