Earthzine, an IEEE online scientific publication, is soliciting articles of 800 to 3,000 words for its first 2017 quarterly theme, Ecological Impacts of Biological Invasion, focusing on invasive species in land and aquatic environments.

The sea squirt forms dense mats, made of thousands of individuals, encrusting and smothering hard sea bottom and organisms attached to it. Image Credit: Caroline Rogers, USGS

2017 Quarterly Theme, Issue 1

Jan. 1-March 17, 2016

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Invasive species come in a variety of forms, including plants, fish, mammals, birds, reptiles, insects and microbes. The introduction of an alien species to a non-native environment can harm ecosystems, environments and economies. Human activity is a primary means by which harmful exotic species are introduced to ecosystems. Examples include Asian carp and lionfish, zebra and quagga mussels, phragmites and hydrilla, the fungus that causes white-nose syndrome in bats, and the sea lamprey and sea squirt.

In the United States alone, invasive species account for an estimated $138 billion per year in total economic damages and associated control costs, and are a factor in the decline of 49 percent of all threatened or endangered species.

Earth observation and related activities can play a key role in preventing and controlling the spread of invasives, and provide valuable data for management, monitoring and response mechanisms.

Specific topics of interest for this theme include (but are not limited to):

• How invasive species are transforming ecosystems in the North American Great Lakes and the world’s oceans
• The impact of invasive species on recreation, the economy and environment, including the exotic pet trade
• Control methods, maintenance and monitoring of invasive species, including ballast water regulations for ocean-going vessels, and introduced predators
• Earth observation research on invasive species and impacts on native species
• Mapping the spread of invasive species
• Management and response planning related to biological invasions
• Discussions of human beings as an invasive species, and changing and emerging definitions of invasive and nuisance species
• Binational and international cooperation ‰ÛÒ how countries are working together to combat invasive species.

We seek contributions from relevant disciplines and all regions of the globe. These can address current and emerging research and development issues, approaches, techniques or applications; community, state, and/or international initiatives; and other topics related to regional and global science, impacts, adaptation and policy. Submissions should include two to three visuals relevant to the content, such as graphs, charts, photographs or other appropriate images, with caption and credit information included. Authors may consider submitting:

• Original research
• Feature articles
• Reviews or op/eds
• Other narratives, as deemed appropriate by the editor.

Important dates: Submissions for the Ecological Impacts of Biological Invasion Theme will be accepted until March 17, 2017. To submit content to the theme, or to inquire about possible articles, email Science Editor Kelley Christensen at kjhchristensen@earthzine.org.

Publication: All accepted contributions will undergo review by subject-matter experts, be published online at Earthzine.org, and be freely accessible to the public. Earthzine does not charge authors for publishing.

Please consult our Writer Guidelines for further information; pay careful attention to the need for topics, region, interest level and tags required for each submission.