Academic Journal
Q1Trends in Ecology and Evolution
About Trends in Ecology and Evolution
Trends in Ecology and Evolution is a scholarly journal published by Elsevier Ltd. SCImago 2025 places it in Q1 with an SJR of 4.728 and an H-index of 410.
Its listed coverage is 1986-2026 and its research categories include Ecology, Evolution, Behavior and Systematics (Q1). The 2025 dataset reports 180 documents and 4959 citations across the latest three-year reporting window.
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
-
Climate Change and Ecosystems – The journal regularly explores how global climate shifts are affecting species distribution, ecological interactions, and evolutionary adaptation.
-
Biodiversity and Conservation – With biodiversity loss accelerating, TREE publishes reviews on conservation strategies, protected area effectiveness, and restoration ecology.
-
Human-Wildlife Interactions – From urban ecology to land-use change, articles investigate how human activity influences animal behavior, genetics, and survival.
-
Evolution in Real Time – Researchers increasingly study rapid evolutionary changes in response to environmental pressures, such as pollution, habitat loss, and global warming.
-
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.
Journal Metrics
Metrics can change by reporting year. Verify time-sensitive values with the publisher or indexing service.
Aims & 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:
-
Evolutionary Biology: Including population genetics, natural selection, speciation, phylogenetics, and evolutionary theory.
-
Ecology: Spanning behavioral ecology, community dynamics, ecosystem function, biogeography, and global biodiversity patterns.
-
Conservation Science: With a strong emphasis on biodiversity loss, habitat degradation, and the science of restoration and sustainable management.
-
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.
Recent Research Articles
Latest publications matched automatically by ISSN.
Risks of heightened human–wildlife conflict when subsidies disappear
Craig Packer
2026-09 · DOI: 10.1016/j.tree.2026.06.016Pre-emptive behaviour in a landscape of intergroup conflict
Josh J. Arbon, Andrew N. Radford
2026-09 · DOI: 10.1016/j.tree.2026.06.002Integrating nutritional mutualists into the evolution of defense
Corlett W. Wood, Mia M. Howard, Eunnuri Yi, Katy D. Heath et al.
2026-09 · DOI: 10.1016/j.tree.2026.05.002Microbial contributions to host life history trade-offs
Lauren Petrullo, Gregory F. Albery, Aura Raulo, Amy R. Sweeny et al.
2026-09 · DOI: 10.1016/j.tree.2026.06.008Second thoughts about first principles in biology
Dustin Marshall, Craig White, Van Savage, Naomi Levine et al.
2026-09 · DOI: 10.1016/j.tree.2026.07.005Species range contractions in geographic and environmental space
Ben C. Scheele, Geoffrey W. Heard, Simon Clulow, Jane A. Catford et al.
2026-09 · DOI: 10.1016/j.tree.2026.06.005Transboundary protected areas for freshwater biodiversity
Valter M. Azevedo-Santos, Felipe P. Ottoni
2026-09 · DOI: 10.1016/j.tree.2026.06.014Subscription and Copyright Information
2026-09 · DOI: 10.1016/s0169-5347(26)00226-0Advisory Board and Contents
2026-09 · DOI: 10.1016/s0169-5347(26)00223-5Transboundary protected areas for cross-ecosystem conservation
Wenjie Li, Fang Han, Xuan Liu
2026-09 · DOI: 10.1016/j.tree.2026.08.001Levelling: behaviours that constrain inequality in animal societies
Danai Papageorgiou, Monique Borgerhoff Mulder, Sarah F. Brosnan, Eli D. Strauss et al.
2026-09 · DOI: 10.1016/j.tree.2026.05.004Integrating Earth history into phylogenetic diversification models
Alexis Licht, Isabel Sanmartín, Andrea S. Meseguer, Lydian Boschman et al.
2026-09 · DOI: 10.1016/j.tree.2026.04.019Potential risks of entomopathogenic biopesticides to beneficial insects
Jamin Ali, Bashiru Adams, Geoff M. Gurr, Adil Tonğa et al.
2026-09 · DOI: 10.1016/j.tree.2026.05.014The velocity of fire-regime shifts
Dale G. Nimmo, Eamonn I.F. Wooster
2026-09 · DOI: 10.1016/j.tree.2026.08.002Human, natural, and artificial intelligence in forest restoration
Pedro H.S. Brancalion, Marcelo P.L. Medeiros
2026-09 · DOI: 10.1016/j.tree.2026.08.008Climate reframes Darwin’s Naturalization Conundrum
Kevin Panchana, Ileana Herrera
2026-09 · DOI: 10.1016/j.tree.2026.07.008Trade-off escape as a framework for understanding plant invasions
Justin M. Valliere, Jennifer L. Funk
2026-09 · DOI: 10.1016/j.tree.2026.05.017Rare molecules as community architects
Erika C. Freeman
2026-09 · DOI: 10.1016/j.tree.2026.07.001Subscription and Copyright Information
2026-08 · DOI: 10.1016/s0169-5347(26)00190-4The ripple effect of surface water on dryland ecosystems
Amanda L. Subalusky, Christopher L. Dutton, Robert A. McCleery
2026-08 · DOI: 10.1016/j.tree.2026.07.004Reviews
Community Reviews
Version History
April 22, 2025 at 8:03 am
April 22, 2025