A Guide for Contributors to the Journals and Symposia of the British Ecological Society

A Guide for Contributors to the Journals and Symposia of the British Ecological SocietySource: Journal of Animal Ecology, Vol. 47, No. 1 (Feb., 1978), pp. 1-13Published by: British Ecological SocietyStable URL: http://www.jstor.org/stable/3918 .

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A GUIDE FOR CONTRIBUTORS TO THE JOURNALS AND SYMPOSIA OF THE BRITISH ECOLOGICAL SOCIETY

(REVISED 1977)

CONTENTS Page

Introduction 1 (1) Instructions to contributors 2

Typing 2 General format 2

(i) Title 2 (ii) Headings 2 (iii) Footnotes 3

Detailed instructions concerning the text 3 (i) Spelling 3 (ii) Latin names 3 (iii) Names of plant associations 3 (iv) Abbreviations 3 (v) Symbols for isotopes 3 (vi) Units of measurement 4 (vii) Numbers 4 (viii) Formulae 4 (ix) Dates and times 4 (x) Acknowledgments 4 (xi) References 4

Tables and illustrations 5 (i) Tables 5 (ii) Figures 5 (iii) Photographs 5

Proofs 6 Offprints 6 Business correspondence 6

(2) Advice to contributors 6 Title 7 Summary 7 Introduction 7 Materials and methods 7 Results 7 Data 7 Discussion 8 Acknowledgments 8 Summary of advice 8

Appendix 1. Annotated list of common abbreviations and symbols 9 Appendix 2. SI units 11 Appendix 3. Symbols for proof correction 12

INTRODUCTION

This guide has two parts: one gives instructions and the other gives advice. Please ensure that the person who types your paper sees the instructions on typing; failure to follow

I

A GUIDE FOR CONTRIBUTORS TO THE JOURNALS AND SYMPOSIA OF THE BRITISH ECOLOGICAL SOCIETY

(REVISED 1977)

CONTENTS Page

Introduction 1 (1) Instructions to contributors 2

Typing 2 General format 2

(i) Title 2 (ii) Headings 2 (iii) Footnotes 3

Detailed instructions concerning the text 3 (i) Spelling 3 (ii) Latin names 3 (iii) Names of plant associations 3 (iv) Abbreviations 3 (v) Symbols for isotopes 3 (vi) Units of measurement 4 (vii) Numbers 4 (viii) Formulae 4 (ix) Dates and times 4 (x) Acknowledgments 4 (xi) References 4

Tables and illustrations 5 (i) Tables 5 (ii) Figures 5 (iii) Photographs 5

Proofs 6 Offprints 6 Business correspondence 6

(2) Advice to contributors 6 Title 7 Summary 7 Introduction 7 Materials and methods 7 Results 7 Data 7 Discussion 8 Acknowledgments 8 Summary of advice 8

Appendix 1. Annotated list of common abbreviations and symbols 9 Appendix 2. SI units 11 Appendix 3. Symbols for proof correction 12

INTRODUCTION

This guide has two parts: one gives instructions and the other gives advice. Please ensure that the person who types your paper sees the instructions on typing; failure to follow

I



them will cause delay and may result in the manuscript (MS) being returned. If you follow the advice on presentation (p. 6) it may save you, the editors and the referees much labour. It is intended primarily for inexperienced authors, but even the experienced may find it useful.

INSTRUCTIONS TO CONTRIBUTORS

Typing

(a) Submit two copies of the text and keep one yourself for checking proofs. Type on one side of the paper only, and use double-spacing throughout (including References and Tables), with additional spacings for the major headings. Leave a margin 2-5 cm wide at the left, top and bottom.

(b) A4-size paper is preferred. (c) Start each of the following sections on a fresh page, and arrange in the following

sequence: Title-page, Summary, Text, Acknowledgments, References, Appendices, Tables (each on a separate page), Legends to Figures (not on separate pages), Legends to Plates.

(d) All the sheets of the typescript must be numbered consecutively. The pages should not be stapled together.

(e) Use capitals only for the title, the author's name, major headings, letters used as abbreviations or symbols, the initial letters of Table, Fig. and Expt, and the names of computer programs.

(f) Underline words and letters to be set in italics, the latin names of organisms, foreign words and abbreviations of them (c., in vivo, et al., v.), abbreviations used for statistics (F, n, P, r, t) and mathematical symbols in the text.

(g) On the title-page give the full title in capitals, a suggested running head-line (not more than 45 letters and spaces), the name(s) of the author(s) in capitals, and the address where the work was done. The present address(es) of the author(s) should be given at the foot of the first page of text. The name of the author who will check the proofs, and the full postal address, if not already given, must be indicated on the title-page.

General format Authors should follow the format in recent issues of the Society's journals. Please note

the following points especially.

(i) Title Do not give the authorities for scientific names, but it is often desirable to give the

family and/or order in parentheses, or an indication of the nature of the organism named, e.g. a planktonic diatom. Use common names only if they are well established and unequivocal.

(ii) Headings Carefully chosen headings are helpful but a multitude of headings confuses the reader.

A hierarchy of three headings is usually sufficient, viz.

MATERIALS AND METHODS (capitals, centred)

Population structure and dynamics (italic, lower case, centred) Estimate of age (italic, lower case, left)

them will cause delay and may result in the manuscript (MS) being returned. If you follow the advice on presentation (p. 6) it may save you, the editors and the referees much labour. It is intended primarily for inexperienced authors, but even the experienced may find it useful.

INSTRUCTIONS TO CONTRIBUTORS

Typing

(a) Submit two copies of the text and keep one yourself for checking proofs. Type on one side of the paper only, and use double-spacing throughout (including References and Tables), with additional spacings for the major headings. Leave a margin 2-5 cm wide at the left, top and bottom.

(b) A4-size paper is preferred. (c) Start each of the following sections on a fresh page, and arrange in the following

sequence: Title-page, Summary, Text, Acknowledgments, References, Appendices, Tables (each on a separate page), Legends to Figures (not on separate pages), Legends to Plates.

(d) All the sheets of the typescript must be numbered consecutively. The pages should not be stapled together.

(e) Use capitals only for the title, the author's name, major headings, letters used as abbreviations or symbols, the initial letters of Table, Fig. and Expt, and the names of computer programs.

(f) Underline words and letters to be set in italics, the latin names of organisms, foreign words and abbreviations of them (c., in vivo, et al., v.), abbreviations used for statistics (F, n, P, r, t) and mathematical symbols in the text.

(g) On the title-page give the full title in capitals, a suggested running head-line (not more than 45 letters and spaces), the name(s) of the author(s) in capitals, and the address where the work was done. The present address(es) of the author(s) should be given at the foot of the first page of text. The name of the author who will check the proofs, and the full postal address, if not already given, must be indicated on the title-page.

General format Authors should follow the format in recent issues of the Society's journals. Please note

the following points especially.

(i) Title Do not give the authorities for scientific names, but it is often desirable to give the

family and/or order in parentheses, or an indication of the nature of the organism named, e.g. a planktonic diatom. Use common names only if they are well established and unequivocal.

(ii) Headings Carefully chosen headings are helpful but a multitude of headings confuses the reader.

A hierarchy of three headings is usually sufficient, viz.

MATERIALS AND METHODS (capitals, centred)

Population structure and dynamics (italic, lower case, centred) Estimate of age (italic, lower case, left)

2 2 Guide to Contributors Guide to Contributors



BRITISH ECOLOGICAL SOCIETY BRITISH ECOLOGICAL SOCIETY

(iii) Footnotes These should be avoided if possible. If absolutely unavoidable, type the footnote

at the bottom of the sheet with a complete line typed or drawn above; the word 'footnote' should be written in the left-hand margin and encircled.

Detailed instructions concerning the text

(i) Spelling Wherever possible, use the spelling in the Oxford English Dictionary. Words such as

'generalize' and 'summarize' should be spelt with an '-ize' ending. Use capitals only for proper names, e.g. Great Britain.

Except for some commonly-used expressions, adjectival nouns should be joined by a hyphen to the noun they qualify, e.g. time-span.

Sequential points listed in the text should be designated (a), (b), etc. or (i), (ii), etc. using parentheses.

Single quote marks only should be used to emphasize specific words or phrases, or for quotations.

(ii) Latin names Authorities for latin names should be cited in one of the following forms. (a) Where fewer than, say, six names occur in the text, the appropriate authorities

should be given at first mention (but not thereafter and never underlined). (b) Where considerable numbers of latin names occur in the text and nomenclature

follows standard works that are accessible, these works should be cited at the end of the Introduction or in the Materials and Methods section.

(c) Where nomenclature is more confused, a full list of species and authorities should be given in a table or an appendix.

Authorities need not be given for the latin names of species investigated in cited references.

When a latin name is repeated within a few paragraphs, the generic name may be abbreviated to the initial letter, provided that the meaning is clear.

Vernacular names of organisms are printed without initial capitals, except where a proper name is involved, e.g. white clover, but Scots pine. Anglicized names of higher taxa should not have initial capitals, e.g. empids for Empididae.

(iii) Names of plant associations (sensu Braun-Blanquet) These should be underlined. Authorities should be given at the first mention but

need not be supported by citation of the relevant paper in the References.

(iv) Abbreviations Avoid abbreviations if possible and give full names before using uncommon abbrevia-

tions. New abbreviations should be coined only for unwieldy names that occur frequently. Do not use unusual abbreviations in the Summary.

Some common abbreviations are listed in Appendix 1. Abbreviations which end with the same letter as the full word (e.g. Dr) do not need a point.

(v) Symbols for isotopes Use a left superscript, e.g. 14C, and NaH14CO3.

(iii) Footnotes These should be avoided if possible. If absolutely unavoidable, type the footnote

at the bottom of the sheet with a complete line typed or drawn above; the word 'footnote' should be written in the left-hand margin and encircled.

Detailed instructions concerning the text

(i) Spelling Wherever possible, use the spelling in the Oxford English Dictionary. Words such as

'generalize' and 'summarize' should be spelt with an '-ize' ending. Use capitals only for proper names, e.g. Great Britain.

Except for some commonly-used expressions, adjectival nouns should be joined by a hyphen to the noun they qualify, e.g. time-span.

Sequential points listed in the text should be designated (a), (b), etc. or (i), (ii), etc. using parentheses.

Single quote marks only should be used to emphasize specific words or phrases, or for quotations.

(ii) Latin names Authorities for latin names should be cited in one of the following forms. (a) Where fewer than, say, six names occur in the text, the appropriate authorities

should be given at first mention (but not thereafter and never underlined). (b) Where considerable numbers of latin names occur in the text and nomenclature

follows standard works that are accessible, these works should be cited at the end of the Introduction or in the Materials and Methods section.

(c) Where nomenclature is more confused, a full list of species and authorities should be given in a table or an appendix.

Authorities need not be given for the latin names of species investigated in cited references.

When a latin name is repeated within a few paragraphs, the generic name may be abbreviated to the initial letter, provided that the meaning is clear.

Vernacular names of organisms are printed without initial capitals, except where a proper name is involved, e.g. white clover, but Scots pine. Anglicized names of higher taxa should not have initial capitals, e.g. empids for Empididae.

(iii) Names of plant associations (sensu Braun-Blanquet) These should be underlined. Authorities should be given at the first mention but

need not be supported by citation of the relevant paper in the References.

(iv) Abbreviations Avoid abbreviations if possible and give full names before using uncommon abbrevia-

tions. New abbreviations should be coined only for unwieldy names that occur frequently. Do not use unusual abbreviations in the Summary.

Some common abbreviations are listed in Appendix 1. Abbreviations which end with the same letter as the full word (e.g. Dr) do not need a point.

(v) Symbols for isotopes Use a left superscript, e.g. 14C, and NaH14CO3.

3 3



Guide to Contributors Guide to Contributors

(vi) Units of measurement Metric units are strongly preferred and metric equivalents must be given if other units

are used. See Appendix 2 for the SI units that are acceptable. Use the form m-2 m-2 yr- or spell out in full 'per square metre', 'per square metre per year'. Slope should be recorded in degrees, not percent, except for rivers.

Use units that are appropriate to the scale of the work reported, e.g. cm or ha rather than the SI base unit m multiplied by some factor of 10, similarly g rather than 10-3kg. Use I and not dm3, M and not mol -'.

(vii) Numbers Use figures where a unit of measurement is given, e.g. 2 m, 250 ml, 30o, 24 + 2 1, but

use words for numbers under 100 or beginning a sentence, e.g. four men, forty-three samples (note hyphen), 145 sheep.

Do not use a comma or space in numbers up to 9999; larger numbers should be divided into groups of three figures with a space between each group (but no comma), e.g. 2570, 10 300, 42 500 000.

Only rarely is there justification for giving more than three significant figures.

(viii) Formulae Mathematical formulae will always be set in italics, except operators (d, log, ln, exp)

and constants, which will be in Roman type, and matrices and vectors, which will be set in bold type. The author should indicate characters to be set in Roman or bold type. Letters from the Greek alphabet should be encircled when first introduced, with an explanatory note in the margin. It is the author's responsibility to confirm at proof stage that the type faces used in formulae are correct.

(ix) Dates and times In the text write out the month in full, e.g. 27 January 1972, though this may be

shortened in tables and figures. Use the form 2-7 January for a period of time within a single month, but the form 'from 2 January to 10 February' for longer periods.

Use the 24-hour clock for times of day, e.g. 06.30 hours. Radiocarbon dates should be quoted in the form '2500 years B.P.' or '550 B.C.' (not bp or bc). In tables listing radiocarbon determinations, laboratory reference numbers as given in Radiocarbon should be quoted.

(x) Acknowledgments These should be kept short by stringing names together.

(xi) References References should be cited in the text in the following forms: White (1972); White

(1972a, b); White & Black (1973); White, Black & Grey (1974); (White 1972); (White 1970, 1971); (White 1970; Black 1971). Use the first author's name followed by et al. throughout if there are more than three authors.

List References in alphabetical order at the end of the paper in the following standard form, giving the journal titles in full: Ansell, A. D., Lander, K. F., Coughlan, J. & Loosmore, F. A. (1964). Studies on the hard-

shell clam, Venus mercenaria, in British waters. I. Growth and reproduction in natural and experimental colonies. Journal of Applied Ecology, 1, 63-82.

(vi) Units of measurement Metric units are strongly preferred and metric equivalents must be given if other units

are used. See Appendix 2 for the SI units that are acceptable. Use the form m-2 m-2 yr- or spell out in full 'per square metre', 'per square metre per year'. Slope should be recorded in degrees, not percent, except for rivers.

Use units that are appropriate to the scale of the work reported, e.g. cm or ha rather than the SI base unit m multiplied by some factor of 10, similarly g rather than 10-3kg. Use I and not dm3, M and not mol -'.

(vii) Numbers Use figures where a unit of measurement is given, e.g. 2 m, 250 ml, 30o, 24 + 2 1, but

use words for numbers under 100 or beginning a sentence, e.g. four men, forty-three samples (note hyphen), 145 sheep.

Do not use a comma or space in numbers up to 9999; larger numbers should be divided into groups of three figures with a space between each group (but no comma), e.g. 2570, 10 300, 42 500 000.

Only rarely is there justification for giving more than three significant figures.

(viii) Formulae Mathematical formulae will always be set in italics, except operators (d, log, ln, exp)

and constants, which will be in Roman type, and matrices and vectors, which will be set in bold type. The author should indicate characters to be set in Roman or bold type. Letters from the Greek alphabet should be encircled when first introduced, with an explanatory note in the margin. It is the author's responsibility to confirm at proof stage that the type faces used in formulae are correct.

(ix) Dates and times In the text write out the month in full, e.g. 27 January 1972, though this may be

shortened in tables and figures. Use the form 2-7 January for a period of time within a single month, but the form 'from 2 January to 10 February' for longer periods.

Use the 24-hour clock for times of day, e.g. 06.30 hours. Radiocarbon dates should be quoted in the form '2500 years B.P.' or '550 B.C.' (not bp or bc). In tables listing radiocarbon determinations, laboratory reference numbers as given in Radiocarbon should be quoted.

(x) Acknowledgments These should be kept short by stringing names together.

(xi) References References should be cited in the text in the following forms: White (1972); White

(1972a, b); White & Black (1973); White, Black & Grey (1974); (White 1972); (White 1970, 1971); (White 1970; Black 1971). Use the first author's name followed by et al. throughout if there are more than three authors.

List References in alphabetical order at the end of the paper in the following standard form, giving the journal titles in full: Ansell, A. D., Lander, K. F., Coughlan, J. & Loosmore, F. A. (1964). Studies on the hard-

shell clam, Venus mercenaria, in British waters. I. Growth and reproduction in natural and experimental colonies. Journal of Applied Ecology, 1, 63-82.

4 4




Duffey, E. & Watt, A. S. (Eds) (1971). The Scientific Management of Animal and Plant Communities for Conservation. Symposia of the British Ecological Society, 11.

Hudson, J. P. (1965). Gauges for the study of evapotranspiration rates. Methodology of Plant Eco-Physiology (Ed. by F. E. Eckardt), pp. 443-52. Proceedings of the Mont- pellier Symposium 1962. UNESCO, Paris.

Hutchinson, G. E. (1971). Scale effects in ecology. Spatial Patterns and Statistical Distributions. Vol. 1. Statistical Ecology (Ed. by G. P. Patil, E. C. Pielou and W. E. Waters). Pennsylvania University Press, University Park.

Quote conference reports by the year of publication not the year of the meeting. Ensure that all references are cited accurately. The editors or subeditors will not check

references in detail, but any errors that are detected usually delay publication. A paper may only be cited 'in press' if it has been accepted by a journal, and then the

journal must be cited in the References. Papers not yet accepted should be cited in the text as 'unpublished', and omitted from the References; cite the initials of the author(s) of unpublished work.

Tables and illustrations

Tables, plates and figures should be kept in separate series and numbered in Arabic numerals. The approximate position of each should be indicated in the margin of the typescript. It is very important that they should be readily understood without reference to the text.

(i) Tables Study the lay-out of tables published previously in the Society's journals. The following

points are important: (a) The heading to the table should consist of a single sentence only and additional

information should be given as a descriptive legend below the table. (b) Ruled lines are not usually printed and are not necessary if spacing is adequate.

(ii) Figures Draw figures in black ink on plastic, tracing paper or feint-ruled graph paper. Bear

in mind, when preparing a figure, that after reduction it must fit the type area (131 x 202 mm) and yet not lose clarity. Aim for a 50/0 linear reduction with lines 0-5 mm thick.

Send the original figures and two photographs or photocopies with your text. Clearly mark the lettering, labelling and shading on the photocopies but not on the original. Lettering, labelling and shading on the original will usually be done by the publishers.

It is customary to place scale markers inside the axes. Labels on the vertical axes run vertically. The publishers may re-draw diagrams where necessary.

Explanatory material, keys to symbols, etc., should be placed in the legend to the figure, and not in the figure itself.

(iii) Photographs Limited use of good quality black-and-white photographs may convey more effectively

the nature of any complex apparatus used or the plant or animal community investigated. Prints should be unmounted, glossy, with crisp detail and moderate contrast, between one-and-a-half and two times as large as they will appear in the journal. Write the author's

Duffey, E. & Watt, A. S. (Eds) (1971). The Scientific Management of Animal and Plant Communities for Conservation. Symposia of the British Ecological Society, 11.

Hudson, J. P. (1965). Gauges for the study of evapotranspiration rates. Methodology of Plant Eco-Physiology (Ed. by F. E. Eckardt), pp. 443-52. Proceedings of the Mont- pellier Symposium 1962. UNESCO, Paris.

Hutchinson, G. E. (1971). Scale effects in ecology. Spatial Patterns and Statistical Distributions. Vol. 1. Statistical Ecology (Ed. by G. P. Patil, E. C. Pielou and W. E. Waters). Pennsylvania University Press, University Park.

Quote conference reports by the year of publication not the year of the meeting. Ensure that all references are cited accurately. The editors or subeditors will not check

references in detail, but any errors that are detected usually delay publication. A paper may only be cited 'in press' if it has been accepted by a journal, and then the

journal must be cited in the References. Papers not yet accepted should be cited in the text as 'unpublished', and omitted from the References; cite the initials of the author(s) of unpublished work.

Tables and illustrations

Tables, plates and figures should be kept in separate series and numbered in Arabic numerals. The approximate position of each should be indicated in the margin of the typescript. It is very important that they should be readily understood without reference to the text.

(i) Tables Study the lay-out of tables published previously in the Society's journals. The following

points are important: (a) The heading to the table should consist of a single sentence only and additional

information should be given as a descriptive legend below the table. (b) Ruled lines are not usually printed and are not necessary if spacing is adequate.

(ii) Figures Draw figures in black ink on plastic, tracing paper or feint-ruled graph paper. Bear

in mind, when preparing a figure, that after reduction it must fit the type area (131 x 202 mm) and yet not lose clarity. Aim for a 50/0 linear reduction with lines 0-5 mm thick.

Send the original figures and two photographs or photocopies with your text. Clearly mark the lettering, labelling and shading on the photocopies but not on the original. Lettering, labelling and shading on the original will usually be done by the publishers.

It is customary to place scale markers inside the axes. Labels on the vertical axes run vertically. The publishers may re-draw diagrams where necessary.

Explanatory material, keys to symbols, etc., should be placed in the legend to the figure, and not in the figure itself.

(iii) Photographs Limited use of good quality black-and-white photographs may convey more effectively

the nature of any complex apparatus used or the plant or animal community investigated. Prints should be unmounted, glossy, with crisp detail and moderate contrast, between one-and-a-half and two times as large as they will appear in the journal. Write the author's

5 5




name, the plate number, the orientation of the illustration and appropriate reduction lightly on the back of the print to avoid ridges on the front.

If lettering, scales, arrows, etc., are required, give the details on an overlay. No more than two black-and-white plates (each containing up to four photographs)

will be allowed for a single paper, although authors may request additional plates but must pay £20 for each one. The author must obtain permission to reproduce photographs if he is not the copyright holder. Acknowledgment of copyright should always be made in the form 'Photograph by . .'.

Proofs

Page proofs only will be sent. Typescripts will not be returned to authors, hence the

importance of retaining the third copy. The proofs should be corrected, using the marks

given in Appendix 3, and returned to the editor with the least possible delay. Only essential corrections should be made. Authors are asked to pay particular attention to the checking of numerical matter, mathematical formulae (see earlier), tables and lists of names. Authors, when returning proofs, should indicate whether they wish the originals of their text-figures and photographs to be returned to them.

Offprints One hundred offprints will be provided gratis. Additional copies may be purchased

and these should be ordered when the proofs are returned. Offprints are sent out about 3 weeks after publication.

Business correspondence

Correspondence concerning back numbers, offprints, advertising and sales to libraries should be addressed to the publisher: Blackwell Scientific Publications, Osney Mead, Oxford OX2 OEL.

ADVICE TO CONTRIBUTORS (Mainly for new authors)

Remember that your objective is to communicate information to readers and consider first what information you wish to communicate. Try to imagine yourself as the reader and bear in mind the kind of person you expect to read your paper. Select your journal accordingly.

Writing your paper is arguably the most important phase of your research programme; work that is unpublished or badly presented is essentially work not done.

Read a book on scientific writing before you write your first paper. We suggest F. P. Woodford, Scientific Writing for Postgraduate Students (Macmillan, 1968). The following advice gives only an outline of that which many books on scientific writing spell out in detail.

Remember that, in spite of excuses to the contrary, survey shows that most ecologists agree very closely on what is an ideal style (see Kirkman (1975) Bulletin of the British

Ecological Society VI, ii). That style is direct and concise. Practice this before writing for public scrutiny.

name, the plate number, the orientation of the illustration and appropriate reduction lightly on the back of the print to avoid ridges on the front.

If lettering, scales, arrows, etc., are required, give the details on an overlay. No more than two black-and-white plates (each containing up to four photographs)

will be allowed for a single paper, although authors may request additional plates but must pay £20 for each one. The author must obtain permission to reproduce photographs if he is not the copyright holder. Acknowledgment of copyright should always be made in the form 'Photograph by . .'.

Proofs

Page proofs only will be sent. Typescripts will not be returned to authors, hence the

importance of retaining the third copy. The proofs should be corrected, using the marks

given in Appendix 3, and returned to the editor with the least possible delay. Only essential corrections should be made. Authors are asked to pay particular attention to the checking of numerical matter, mathematical formulae (see earlier), tables and lists of names. Authors, when returning proofs, should indicate whether they wish the originals of their text-figures and photographs to be returned to them.

Offprints One hundred offprints will be provided gratis. Additional copies may be purchased

and these should be ordered when the proofs are returned. Offprints are sent out about 3 weeks after publication.

Business correspondence

Correspondence concerning back numbers, offprints, advertising and sales to libraries should be addressed to the publisher: Blackwell Scientific Publications, Osney Mead, Oxford OX2 OEL.

ADVICE TO CONTRIBUTORS (Mainly for new authors)

Remember that your objective is to communicate information to readers and consider first what information you wish to communicate. Try to imagine yourself as the reader and bear in mind the kind of person you expect to read your paper. Select your journal accordingly.

Writing your paper is arguably the most important phase of your research programme; work that is unpublished or badly presented is essentially work not done.

Read a book on scientific writing before you write your first paper. We suggest F. P. Woodford, Scientific Writing for Postgraduate Students (Macmillan, 1968). The following advice gives only an outline of that which many books on scientific writing spell out in detail.

Remember that, in spite of excuses to the contrary, survey shows that most ecologists agree very closely on what is an ideal style (see Kirkman (1975) Bulletin of the British

Ecological Society VI, ii). That style is direct and concise. Practice this before writing for public scrutiny.

6 6




Most readers are busy people, another reason why your paper should be direct and concise. Few people will read your paper in full. Most will read only the Title, probably in a current awareness journal or in a list of contents; many will read the Title and Sum- mary but nothing else; some will read the Summary and Introduction, look carefully at figures and tables and perhaps scan the text. A few people will read the whole paper carefully.

TITLE

The title is the most important part of your paper. On the basis of the title, readers will decide whether to read further. It should be as informative, as accurate and as succinct as possible. It should reflect the content and the ecological significance of the paper.

SUMMARY

The summary is perhaps the next most important part of your paper. It should state clearly and briefly the object of your study, the methods used, the results obtained and your conclusions. It should not exceed 50 of the length of your paper. It should not introduce ideas or information not in the text. It should normally be in the form of short numbered paragraphs.

INTRODUCTION

Since it is sometimes difficult to introduce something which you have not yet written, it may be advisable to write this section last.

The introduction sets the scene for your paper. It should say why you did the work. If the work follows naturally from other published papers, a brief statement with a few key references will be sufficient because most of your readers will already know the literature. If the paper introduces a new line of approach or reasoning, a more detailed argument may be needed. If this follows a complex model, especially a mathematical one, the logic should be clearly stated in its ecological context.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

This section is probably the easiest to write. We suggest that you start writing it first. Carefully read the detailed guidance in the Instructions section.

RESULTS

The text of the results section should focus the readers' attention on the features that you regard as being most important. Do not reiterate all the data presented in figures and tables.

DATA After the title and Summary, the data are next in importance. Present the data so that the reader can grasp the important features as quickly and easily as possible. Both figures

Most readers are busy people, another reason why your paper should be direct and concise. Few people will read your paper in full. Most will read only the Title, probably in a current awareness journal or in a list of contents; many will read the Title and Sum- mary but nothing else; some will read the Summary and Introduction, look carefully at figures and tables and perhaps scan the text. A few people will read the whole paper carefully.

TITLE

The title is the most important part of your paper. On the basis of the title, readers will decide whether to read further. It should be as informative, as accurate and as succinct as possible. It should reflect the content and the ecological significance of the paper.

SUMMARY

The summary is perhaps the next most important part of your paper. It should state clearly and briefly the object of your study, the methods used, the results obtained and your conclusions. It should not exceed 50 of the length of your paper. It should not introduce ideas or information not in the text. It should normally be in the form of short numbered paragraphs.

INTRODUCTION

Since it is sometimes difficult to introduce something which you have not yet written, it may be advisable to write this section last.

The introduction sets the scene for your paper. It should say why you did the work. If the work follows naturally from other published papers, a brief statement with a few key references will be sufficient because most of your readers will already know the literature. If the paper introduces a new line of approach or reasoning, a more detailed argument may be needed. If this follows a complex model, especially a mathematical one, the logic should be clearly stated in its ecological context.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

This section is probably the easiest to write. We suggest that you start writing it first. Carefully read the detailed guidance in the Instructions section.

RESULTS

The text of the results section should focus the readers' attention on the features that you regard as being most important. Do not reiterate all the data presented in figures and tables.

DATA After the title and Summary, the data are next in importance. Present the data so that the reader can grasp the important features as quickly and easily as possible. Both figures

7 7




and tables are far more effective than long verbal descriptions. In general, figures are most effective; but good original data of lasting value should be presented in tables or appendices, arranged to use space efficiently, e.g. by condensing tables containing large numbers of zeros. Use figures to illustrate derived values, fitted models or hypotheses. Give careful thought to the headings of tables and the legends to figures; without them the data are often meaningless. If you want the reader to compare sets of data, present them in grouped figures (e.g. Fig. l(a)-(d)) or in a single table or group of tables.

Indicate the statistical significance of data by relevant S.D.'s or other statistics. If you have used new, complex or unusual analyses, describe them in Materials and Methods and, where possible, give references. Observe normal statistical practice, especially in the need to transform data if the data are not normally distributed or the variance is not independent of the mean.

DISCUSSION

The object of the discussion is to place your findings in the context of previous studies and the present state of the subject. If you wish to express opinions on the value, validity and veracity ofyour own work and that of others, they should be backed by evidence. Most referees and editors will allow space for a small amount of speculation and suggestions for further study. You may be more tempted to extend the discussion than any other section. Take extra care to make it as precise and concise as possible.

ACKNOWLEDGMENTS Please be brief.

SUMMARY OF ADVICE

(1) Read at least one good book on scientific writing and heed its advice. (2) Carefully define the main object of the work and the conclusions you wish to

communicate in your paper. Consider which would be the most suitable journal for your paper, on the basis of its content and readership.

(3) Carefully define your potential reader. Write with him in mind and try to imagine yourself in his position.

(4) Do not start at the Introduction and work systematically through. Start at the easiest part, usually Materials and Methods. Leave the most difficult parts, usually Discussion and Introduction, until last, but make the purpose of your paper clear.

(5) Remember that very few people will read the whole of your paper. The parts, in order of importance are the Title, Summary, data and the rest.

(6) Most readers are busy people, who see many hundreds of papers each year. Make it easy for them to extract the essence of your paper in the title, Summary and figures.

(7) Your reputation will not be enhanced by a permanent record of woolly thinking. (8) Write in a direct, precise and concise style.

and tables are far more effective than long verbal descriptions. In general, figures are most effective; but good original data of lasting value should be presented in tables or appendices, arranged to use space efficiently, e.g. by condensing tables containing large numbers of zeros. Use figures to illustrate derived values, fitted models or hypotheses. Give careful thought to the headings of tables and the legends to figures; without them the data are often meaningless. If you want the reader to compare sets of data, present them in grouped figures (e.g. Fig. l(a)-(d)) or in a single table or group of tables.

Indicate the statistical significance of data by relevant S.D.'s or other statistics. If you have used new, complex or unusual analyses, describe them in Materials and Methods and, where possible, give references. Observe normal statistical practice, especially in the need to transform data if the data are not normally distributed or the variance is not independent of the mean.

DISCUSSION

The object of the discussion is to place your findings in the context of previous studies and the present state of the subject. If you wish to express opinions on the value, validity and veracity ofyour own work and that of others, they should be backed by evidence. Most referees and editors will allow space for a small amount of speculation and suggestions for further study. You may be more tempted to extend the discussion than any other section. Take extra care to make it as precise and concise as possible.

ACKNOWLEDGMENTS Please be brief.

SUMMARY OF ADVICE

(1) Read at least one good book on scientific writing and heed its advice. (2) Carefully define the main object of the work and the conclusions you wish to

communicate in your paper. Consider which would be the most suitable journal for your paper, on the basis of its content and readership.

(3) Carefully define your potential reader. Write with him in mind and try to imagine yourself in his position.

(4) Do not start at the Introduction and work systematically through. Start at the easiest part, usually Materials and Methods. Leave the most difficult parts, usually Discussion and Introduction, until last, but make the purpose of your paper clear.

(5) Remember that very few people will read the whole of your paper. The parts, in order of importance are the Title, Summary, data and the rest.

(6) Most readers are busy people, who see many hundreds of papers each year. Make it easy for them to extract the essence of your paper in the title, Summary and figures.

(7) Your reputation will not be enhanced by a permanent record of woolly thinking. (8) Write in a direct, precise and concise style.

8 8




APPENDIX 1

Annotated list of common abbreviations and symbols When in doubt, spell out.

APPENDIX 1

Annotated list of common abbreviations and symbols When in doubt, spell out.

approximately equal to larger than larger than or equal to not equal to proportional to smaller than smaller than or equal to

ampere approximately before present calorie centimetre change per 10 °C rise chi-squared

chlorophyll a compare confidence limits corrected correlation coefficient cultivar Curie day degree Celsius degrees of freedom degrees of latitude diameter diameter at breast height (1.37 m) dry weight edition editor(s) Einstein (unit of photon flux) equation equivalent experiment exponential figure(s) fresh weight girth at breast height gram gravity, acceleration due to hectare

approximately equal to larger than larger than or equal to not equal to proportional to smaller than smaller than or equal to

ampere approximately before present calorie centimetre change per 10 °C rise chi-squared

chlorophyll a compare confidence limits corrected correlation coefficient cultivar Curie day degree Celsius degrees of freedom degrees of latitude diameter diameter at breast height (1.37 m) dry weight edition editor(s) Einstein (unit of photon flux) equation equivalent experiment exponential figure(s) fresh weight girth at breast height gram gravity, acceleration due to hectare

> (much larger than, >) > (much larger than, >)

oc

< (much smaller than, <«) oc

< (much smaller than, <«)

A c. (for circa where appropriate) B.P.

cal (use joule where possible) cm Qlo X2 (where n = number of degrees of freedom;

do not type in X for X) chl. a cf. C.L. corr. r cv. Ci not to be abbreviated °C (no space between ° and C, e.g. 15 "C) d.f. ° (e.g. 15 °N) not to be abbreviated dbh dry wt edn ed. (eds) not to be abbreviated eqn equiv. Expt (abbreviate only in tables, not in text) exp x or ex Fig. (Figs) fresh wt gbh g g ha

A c. (for circa where appropriate) B.P.

cal (use joule where possible) cm Qlo X2 (where n = number of degrees of freedom;

do not type in X for X) chl. a cf. C.L. corr. r cv. Ci not to be abbreviated °C (no space between ° and C, e.g. 15 "C) d.f. ° (e.g. 15 °N) not to be abbreviated dbh dry wt edn ed. (eds) not to be abbreviated eqn equiv. Expt (abbreviate only in tables, not in text) exp x or ex Fig. (Figs) fresh wt gbh g g ha

9 9




hour hydrogen ion activity, negative

logarithm of infinity infra-red joule kilogram kilometre litre (dm3)

logarithm (base 10) logarithm (base e) lumen maximum mean value of x metre Michaelis constant milli-equivalent milli-osmole minimum minute (time) minute (angle) molar (1 mole 1-1) month National Grid reference National Nature Reserve not significant number number of observations ohm page/pages paragraph parts per billion parts per million per cent potential difference probability (statistical) radiocarbon radius relative humidity second (time) second (angle) species standard deviation standard error of mean Student's t (statistic) sub-species

hour hydrogen ion activity, negative

logarithm of infinity infra-red joule kilogram kilometre litre (dm3)

logarithm (base 10) logarithm (base e) lumen maximum mean value of x metre Michaelis constant milli-equivalent milli-osmole minimum minute (time) minute (angle) molar (1 mole 1-1) month National Grid reference National Nature Reserve not significant number number of observations ohm page/pages paragraph parts per billion parts per million per cent potential difference probability (statistical) radiocarbon radius relative humidity second (time) second (angle) species standard deviation standard error of mean Student's t (statistic) sub-species

h

pH (plural, pH values) 00

i.r. J kg km I (avoid abbreviation if it could be confused with 1

when in print, e.g. 1 litre) logio In or loge lm (if possible, use J m-2 or W m-2, see below) max. x

m Km

m-equiv. m-osmol. min. min '

(e.g. 27') M not to be abbreviated not to be abbreviated N.N.R. NS no. (but avoid abbreviation as far as possible) n f1 p./pp. para. not to be used (use ,ug kg- or ug 1-1) not to be used (use ug g- or mg 1-1)

p.d. P 14C

not to be abbreviated r.h. s

" (e.g. 27") sp. (plural, spp.) S.D. S.E. tn (where n = number of degrees of freedom) ssp. (plural, sspp.)

h

pH (plural, pH values) 00

i.r. J kg km I (avoid abbreviation if it could be confused with 1

when in print, e.g. 1 litre) logio In or loge lm (if possible, use J m-2 or W m-2, see below) max. x

m Km

m-equiv. m-osmol. min. min '

(e.g. 27') M not to be abbreviated not to be abbreviated N.N.R. NS no. (but avoid abbreviation as far as possible) n f1 p./pp. para. not to be used (use ,ug kg- or ug 1-1) not to be used (use ug g- or mg 1-1)

p.d. P 14C

not to be abbreviated r.h. s

" (e.g. 27") sp. (plural, spp.) S.D. S.E. tn (where n = number of degrees of freedom) ssp. (plural, sspp.)

10 10




sum of S

temperature temp., t time, period of cycle T tonne (103 kg) t ultraviolet u.v. variance ratio F

variety var. volt V volume vol. watt W

year yr

APPENDIX 2

SI units

The Systeme International d'Unites (SI) has seven base units, as follows.

Physical quantity Base unit Abbreviation

length metre m mass kilogram kg time second s current ampere A

thermodynamic temperature kelvin K luminous intensity candela cd amount of substance mole mol

There are two supplementary SI units plane angle radian rad solid angle steradian sr

Certain prefixes are recommended for use with SI units. The more common ones are as follows.

Prefix Name Abbreviation

10-9 nano n 10-6 micro n 103 milli m 10-2 centi c 10- deci d 10 deca da 103 kilo k 106 mega M 109 giga G

Compound prefixes should not be used. Abbreviations do not take a plural form and should not be followed by a full stop,

e.g. use 5 cm (not 5 cm. or 5 cms). 'Micron' and 'Angstr6m' are no longer acceptable. Replace by 'micrometre' (pm)

and '10- nanometre' (10-1 nm).

sum of S

temperature temp., t time, period of cycle T tonne (103 kg) t ultraviolet u.v. variance ratio F

variety var. volt V volume vol. watt W

year yr

APPENDIX 2

SI units

The Systeme International d'Unites (SI) has seven base units, as follows.

Physical quantity Base unit Abbreviation

length metre m mass kilogram kg time second s current ampere A

thermodynamic temperature kelvin K luminous intensity candela cd amount of substance mole mol

There are two supplementary SI units plane angle radian rad solid angle steradian sr

Certain prefixes are recommended for use with SI units. The more common ones are as follows.

Prefix Name Abbreviation

10-9 nano n 10-6 micro n 103 milli m 10-2 centi c 10- deci d 10 deca da 103 kilo k 106 mega M 109 giga G

Compound prefixes should not be used. Abbreviations do not take a plural form and should not be followed by a full stop,

e.g. use 5 cm (not 5 cm. or 5 cms). 'Micron' and 'Angstr6m' are no longer acceptable. Replace by 'micrometre' (pm)

and '10- nanometre' (10-1 nm).

11 11




Volume may continue to be measured in litres, since the litre has been redefined as the special name for 1 dm3.

Several of the derived SI units with special names are particularly relevant to ecologists.

Volume may continue to be measured in litres, since the litre has been redefined as the special name for 1 dm3.

Several of the derived SI units with special names are particularly relevant to ecologists.

Physical quantity energy force power pressure electric charge electric potential difference electric resistance luminous flux illumination

Physical quantity energy force power pressure electric charge electric potential difference electric resistance luminous flux illumination

Name of SI unit

joule newton watt pascal coulomb volt ohm lumen lux

Name of SI unit

joule newton watt pascal coulomb volt ohm lumen lux

Symbol for Definition of SI unit SI unit

J kgm2s-2 N kg m s-2 = J m-1 W kg m2 s-3 = J s- Pa kg m- -2 = N m-2 C As V JA-'s-l fi VA-' Im cd sr lx cd sr m-2

Symbol for Definition of SI unit SI unit

J kgm2s-2 N kg m s-2 = J m-1 W kg m2 s-3 = J s- Pa kg m- -2 = N m-2 C As V JA-'s-l fi VA-' Im cd sr lx cd sr m-2

The degree Celsius (°C), the Curie (Ci) and the Einstein (spelt in full) will continue to be used, as will the common units for time (hour, year, etc.), area (hectare), weight (tonne) and angle (degree, minutes and seconds), despite the fact that none of these units is part of the SI.

The 'bar' may be used rather than the appropriate SI derived unit (105 Pa or 01 MPa), but it is possible that this unit will be phased out in due course.

The 'calorie' may be used, but the Joule is much preferred. For instantaneous measure- ments of irradiance the most convenient unit is normally W m-2, but for values inte- grated over time use MJ m-2 day-.

APPENDIX 3

Symbols for proof correction Make the appropriate marks in ink in the margin and also in the text (see below).

Where several corrections occur in one line, they may be divided between the right and left margins. When in doubt, write out your instruction in full, and write clearly. Any comments or instructions to the printer should be encircled and preceded by PRINTER (in capitals and underlined).

The degree Celsius (°C), the Curie (Ci) and the Einstein (spelt in full) will continue to be used, as will the common units for time (hour, year, etc.), area (hectare), weight (tonne) and angle (degree, minutes and seconds), despite the fact that none of these units is part of the SI.

The 'bar' may be used rather than the appropriate SI derived unit (105 Pa or 01 MPa), but it is possible that this unit will be phased out in due course.

The 'calorie' may be used, but the Joule is much preferred. For instantaneous measure- ments of irradiance the most convenient unit is normally W m-2, but for values inte- grated over time use MJ m-2 day-.

APPENDIX 3

Symbols for proof correction Make the appropriate marks in ink in the margin and also in the text (see below).

Where several corrections occur in one line, they may be divided between the right and left margins. When in doubt, write out your instruction in full, and write clearly. Any comments or instructions to the printer should be encircled and preceded by PRINTER (in capitals and underlined).

INSTRUCTION INSTRUCTION

Delete Delete

Delete and close up

Delete and replace by

Insert in text the matter indicated in the margin

Leave as printed (in response to printer's reader's query)

Delete and close up

Delete and replace by

Insert in text the matter indicated in the margin

Leave as printed (in response to printer's reader's query)

MARK IN TEXT

Strike through characters to be deleted

Strike through characters to be deleted and draw lines above and below, e.g. sCum, the- double

Strike through the characters to be deleted

MARK IN TEXT

Strike through characters to be deleted

Strike through characters to be deleted and draw lines above and below, e.g. sCum, the- double

Strike through the characters to be deleted

Under characters Under characters

MARK IN MARGIN

New matter followed by/

New matter followed byf

stet

MARK IN MARGIN

New matter followed by/

New matter followed byf

stet

12 12




Change to roman type

Change to italic type

Change to capital letters

Change to small capital letters

Change to lower case letters

Wrong fount-replace by character of correct fount

Use Greek letter Replace by undamaged

character Invert type

Transpose Insert space Reduce space Make spacing equal Insert hyphen Insert or substitute comma

Insert or substitute full stop

Insert or substitute colon (or semi-colon)

Insert prime Move to the left Move to the right Insert space between lines or

paragraphs Reduce space between lines

Add space between letters

Join up

Make subscript Make superscript

Change to roman type

Change to italic type

Change to capital letters

Change to small capital letters

Change to lower case letters

Wrong fount-replace by character of correct fount

Use Greek letter Replace by undamaged

character Invert type

Transpose Insert space Reduce space Make spacing equal Insert hyphen Insert or substitute comma

Insert or substitute full stop

Insert or substitute colon (or semi-colon)

Insert prime Move to the left Move to the right Insert space between lines or

paragraphs Reduce space between lines

Add space between letters

Join up

Make subscript Make superscript

Encircle characters to be altered

under characters to be altered


- under characters to be altered


Encircle character to be altered

Encircle letter to be altered Encircle character to be

altered Encircle character to be

altered ILm /,

i_between words ._between words L 4 where required or / through character h where required or / through character X/ where required or / through character

> between lines to be spaced

(connecting lines to be (closed up

i1l between tops of letters requiring space

0 between letters or words to be joined

A over letter or numeral V under letter or numeral




- under characters to be altered


Encircle character to be altered

Encircle letter to be altered Encircle character to be

altered Encircle character to be

altered ILm /,

i_between words ._between words L 4 where required or / through character h where required or / through character X/ where required or / through character

> between lines to be spaced

(connecting lines to be (closed up

i1l between tops of letters requiring space

0 between letters or words to be joined

A over letter or numeral V under letter or numeral

rom.

ital.

cap.

s.c.

I.c.

w.f.

Gk

X

trs.

less eq. LQ 0

O : / (or ; /)

left right

less :

letter 4

rom.

ital.

cap.

s.c.

I.c.

w.f.

Gk

X

trs.

less eq. LQ 0

O : / (or ; /)

left right

less :

letter 4

A V A V

13 13



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A Guide for Contributors to the Journals and Symposia of the British Ecological Society

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