The Journal of Applied Ecology is an international journal with a distinct niche that combines the highest standards of ecological science with direct relevance to environmental management. For readers, the Journal provides generic, topical and applicable knowledge from all types of organisms and all types of ecosystems. For authors, it offers publication in a journal of recognised prestige with a large circulation to researchers, environmental managers, students and libraries worldwide. Our Impact Factor® of 4.594 is within the top rank of all ecology journals. The Journal of Applied Ecology publishes original papers that apply ecological concepts, theories, models and methods to the management of biological resources in their widest sense. Equally, the editors encourage contributions that use applied ecological problems to test and develop basic ecological theory. The focus, which should be explicitly ecological, includes all major themes in applied ecology: conservation biology, global change, pollution biology, wildlife and habitat management, land use and management, aquatic resources, restoration ecology, and the effects of genetically modified organisms. Articles that interact with related fields are welcomed providing that their relevance to applied ecology is clear.