Journal Name: Trends in Ecology and Evolution
Journal Type: Q1
ISSN: 01695347, 18728383
Country: United Kingdom
Subject Area and Category: Agricultural and Biological Sciences Ecology, Evolution, Behavior and Systematics
Publisher: Elsevier Ltd
Research Ranking: 3
Publication Type: Journals
H-Index: 396
Coverage: 1986-2025
Editors-in-Chief: Andrea E. A. Stephens
Research Impact Score: 37
Impact Factor: 20.589
SCIMAGO SJR: 4.876
APC Cost: $7,030 USD
Submission Link: https://www.journals.elsevier.com/trends-in-ecology-and-evolution
Contact Email: tree@cell.com
Address: Cambridge, UK,
Overview
In 2025, Trends in Ecology and Evolution continues to be one of the most influential journals in the fields of ecology and evolutionary biology. It serves as a leading platform for reviewing emerging research, synthesizing complex scientific ideas, and forecasting the direction of environmental and biological sciences. With growing global concern over climate change, biodiversity loss, and ecosystem sustainability, the journal’s content is more relevant than ever.
1. Rising Focus on Climate Change and Biodiversity Interactions
A key trend in ecology and evolution today is the study of how climate change interacts with biodiversity. Articles featured in Trends in Ecology and Evolution are increasingly focused on climate-driven shifts in species distribution, ecosystem dynamics, and evolutionary adaptation. Research is exploring how rapid environmental changes disrupt ecological networks, leading to altered predator-prey relationships, invasive species spread, and shifts in reproductive timing.
2. Urban Ecology and Human-Wildlife Interfaces
Urban ecology is gaining traction as a vital research area. The journal highlights studies that examine how urbanization affects species behavior, genetic diversity, and ecological functions. Topics such as light and noise pollution, green space planning, and human-wildlife conflict are at the forefront. This trend reflects a broader societal push toward sustainable urban living and biodiversity conservation within cities.
3. Evolutionary Responses to Anthropogenic Pressures
Another major theme is how species evolve in response to human activity. Rapid evolution, once thought to occur over millennia, is now documented over decades or even years. This includes antibiotic resistance, pesticide tolerance, and changes in migration routes. The journal showcases how evolutionary theory is applied to real-world challenges, including agriculture, public health, and conservation biology.
4. Technological Advances in Data Collection and Analysis
Modern tools like remote sensing, environmental DNA (eDNA), and machine learning are revolutionizing how ecological and evolutionary research is conducted. Trends in Ecology and Evolution covers these innovations extensively, highlighting how big data is transforming ecological modeling, species monitoring, and phylogenetic studies. These technologies enable scientists to address questions at unprecedented scales and resolutions.
5. Cross-disciplinary and Global Collaboration
The journal emphasizes the growing importance of interdisciplinary research and global collaboration. Integrating ecology with economics, sociology, and policy science is critical for solving complex environmental problems. Additionally, the inclusion of Indigenous knowledge and community-based research practices is receiving greater recognition, aligning with trends in equitable and inclusive science.
About
Trends in Ecology and Evolution (TREE) is one of the most respected and widely cited scientific journals in the fields of ecology and evolutionary biology. Published by Elsevier, this monthly journal is known for delivering high-impact review articles that synthesize cutting-edge research, highlight emerging scientific ideas, and provide forward-thinking insights into the natural world.
With a focus on the latest developments in ecology and evolution, TREE is an essential resource for researchers, educators, conservationists, and policy makers alike. It plays a critical role in shaping scientific thought and guiding the direction of environmental research on a global scale.
What Makes Trends in Ecology and Evolution Unique?
Unlike primary research journals that publish original experiments and data, Trends in Ecology and Evolution specializes in review articles. These reviews distill complex studies into accessible and coherent narratives, offering readers a comprehensive understanding of specific topics. This approach allows scientists to stay informed about broad developments in the field without having to read hundreds of individual studies.
Each issue of the journal features expert commentary, opinion pieces, and perspectives from leading ecologists and evolutionary biologists. Topics range from species conservation, biodiversity loss, and ecosystem dynamics to evolutionary theory, genetics, and human impacts on nature.
Popular Topics Covered in TREE
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Climate Change and Ecosystems – The journal regularly explores how global climate shifts are affecting species distribution, ecological interactions, and evolutionary adaptation.
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Biodiversity and Conservation – With biodiversity loss accelerating, TREE publishes reviews on conservation strategies, protected area effectiveness, and restoration ecology.
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Human-Wildlife Interactions – From urban ecology to land-use change, articles investigate how human activity influences animal behavior, genetics, and survival.
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Evolution in Real Time – Researchers increasingly study rapid evolutionary changes in response to environmental pressures, such as pollution, habitat loss, and global warming.
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Technological Innovations – TREE highlights how modern tools like environmental DNA (eDNA), remote sensing, and artificial intelligence are revolutionizing ecological research and biodiversity monitoring.
Global Influence and Reach
Trends in Ecology and Evolution is widely regarded for its global perspective and commitment to scientific excellence. It attracts contributions from researchers across continents, encouraging cross-disciplinary collaboration and inclusive dialogue in the ecological and evolutionary sciences.
Its high impact factor and rigorous editorial standards make it a trusted source for educators, graduate students, and policy advisors seeking evidence-based insights into pressing environmental issues.
Scope
Trends in Ecology and Evolution (TREE) is one of the most influential and widely cited journals in the fields of ecology and evolutionary biology. As part of the renowned Trends series published by Elsevier, TREE serves as a premier platform for review articles, opinion pieces, and expert insights that cover the full spectrum of ecological and evolutionary science. The journal’s scope is broad yet focused, making it essential reading for researchers, students, conservationists, and policy-makers around the globe.
Broad and Interdisciplinary Focus
The core mission of Trends in Ecology and Evolution is to publish authoritative reviews that synthesize current knowledge and identify future directions in ecological and evolutionary research. The journal’s scope extends across all levels of biological organization—from genes and individuals to populations, communities, ecosystems, and the biosphere.
Key topics include:
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Evolutionary Biology: Including population genetics, natural selection, speciation, phylogenetics, and evolutionary theory.
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Ecology: Spanning behavioral ecology, community dynamics, ecosystem function, biogeography, and global biodiversity patterns.
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Conservation Science: With a strong emphasis on biodiversity loss, habitat degradation, and the science of restoration and sustainable management.
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Anthropogenic Impacts: Exploring how human activity, including urbanization, pollution, climate change, and land-use changes, influences natural systems and evolutionary processes.
Highlighting Emerging Trends
TREE is known for its emphasis on emerging and cross-disciplinary trends. Recent articles focus on rapid evolutionary changes, species’ responses to climate change, ecosystem resilience, and the integration of big data and machine learning into ecological research.
Additionally, the journal explores the interplay between ecology, evolution, and societal issues—such as food security, disease dynamics, and conservation policy—ensuring its content remains relevant to both scientific and practical applications.
Global and Inclusive Perspective
The scope of Trends in Ecology and Evolution is not just scientifically expansive—it is also geographically inclusive. The journal features contributions from researchers worldwide, promoting diverse perspectives and knowledge systems, including Indigenous ecological knowledge and community-based conservation practices.
TREE encourages collaboration between scientists across disciplines, institutions, and borders, reflecting the interconnected nature of global ecological and evolutionary challenges.
Why TREE Stands Out
Unlike primary research journals, TREE specializes in review articles that distill vast amounts of scientific literature into concise, insightful summaries. These articles are invaluable for understanding complex topics, identifying research gaps, and informing future studies.
The journal’s content is peer-reviewed, highly cited, and respected for its clarity, accessibility, and academic rigor. Its interdisciplinary scope, global reach, and practical relevance make it a leading resource for staying informed on the latest developments in environmental science.