[Update] Invitation to contribute to a Special Feature on “Scaling laws in (vegetation) ecology” in the Journal of Vegetation Science
Posted by Jürgen Dengler (Chair of the Guest Editors)
Outline:
Scaling laws are ubiquitous in ecology. Ignoring them can lead to wrong conclusions when results from different scales are compared, while using them consciously can reveal underlying mechanisms of vegetation patterns. Scaling laws are rooted in ecological theory, but at the same time it is necessary to account for them in applied vegetation studies. We define “scaling laws” in the widest sense. With “scale”, we refer to spatial grain size and spatial extent, as well as time and/or taxonomic resolution. Suitable papers can test how biodiversity metrics, diversity-environment relationships, and patterns of predictability/stability or any other community characteristic change systematically with scale. While species-area relationships (SARs) are probably the most widely studied scaling law in ecology, there are many other similar phenomena that are often interconnected. Also, studies on spatial/temporal beta diversity can be framed in the context of scaling laws as beta diversity in principle is the connection of diversities of two different scales. In addition to empirical research papers, we welcome simulation studies, theoretical-conceptual contributions, Forum papers, and Reviews and Syntheses. The Special Feature is connected with a scientific session devoted to the same topic and a workshop to bring together initiatives sampling nested-plot data globally, both at the IAVS Symposium in Gijón, Spain, in 2026.
Guest editors: Jürgen Dengler (CH), Alessandro Chiarucci (IT), Iwona Dembicz (PL), Jason D. Fridley (US) and Tom Matthews (UK)
Open for submission: Until 31 January 2027 (only invited papers, see below)
Procedure:
- Interested authors must register their planned contribution by uploading their preliminary abstract at https://forms.gle/gQzYz8dEXFdtSqfD6.
- The first deadline for abstract submission was 30 November 2025. The second deadline for abstract submission is after the IAVS Symposium in Gijón on 15 September 2026.
- After each deadline, the Guest Editors will evaluate the proposed abstracts and inform authors whether their contributions are invited, conditionally invited or declined.
- Only invited contributions can be submitted to the Journal of Vegetation Science, via the journal platform, selecting the Special Feature.
- The manuscripts will undergo regular peer-review with one of the Guest Editors as handling editor.
- Accepted papers will be published without delay.
- Once the last paper of the Special Feature is published (likely in spring 2027), the Guest Editor team will write a synthesizing editorial.
Contact for questions:
