Journal profile · Biodiversity Conservation
Conservation Genetics
ISSN 1566-0621 · eISSN 1572-9737 · Springer Netherlands · NETHERLANDS · Quarterly · Founded 2000
Conservation Genetics: CAS Zone 3 · Environmental Science & Ecology (2025 upgraded edition); impact factor 2.33; hybrid open access; APC about USD 3,790; median 162 days to acceptance (95 articles, last 24 months); community-reported acceptance: about 5%; 78 articles in 2025; indexed in SCIE and Scopus.
Scope
Aims, scope and focus
Conservation Genetics is published by Springer Netherlands and is in Zone 3 of Environmental Science & Ecology in the CAS Journal Ranking (2025 upgraded edition). By OpenAlex counts of its recent articles, its largest topics are Genetic diversity and population structure, Genetic and phenotypic traits in livestock and Wildlife Ecology and Conservation, together about 50.3% of its articles. (generated from OpenAlex topic counts and CAS ranking data)
Conservation Genetics promotes the conservation of genetic diversity by providing a forum where data and ideas can be presented, facilitating the further development of this field of study. Contributions come from researchers in a variety of fields including population genetics, molecular ecology and biology, evolutionary biology, and systematics, to name just a few. Conservation issues are multifaceted and incorporate diverse disciplines. This journal will focus on genetic and evolutionary applications to the problems of conservation, while reflecting the diversity of concerns that are relevant to conservation biology. Papers are accepted in the following categories: original research, short communications, review papers and perspectives. Topics may include, but are not restricted to: The taxonomic identification and phylogenetic classification of species and populations, and measures of phylogenetic diversity and uniqueness.The identification of hybrid species, hybridization in native populations, and assessing the history and extent of introgression between species.Population genetic structure of natural and managed populations including the identification of `evolutionary significant units' and `management units' for conservation, and integration with studies in large-scale ecology (e.g. using GIS and related technologies).The assessment of levels of genetic variation within a species or population, including small or endangered populations, and the estimation of measures such as effective population size (e.g. through the application of coalescence models to estimate demographic variables).Studies on the impact of inbreeding and outbreeding depression, and on the relationship between heterozygosity and measures of fitness.Assessments of mate choice and reproductive strategy (e.g. when the natural pattern of behaviour is thought to have been disrupted).Forensic applications, e specially for the control of trade in endangered species.Practical methods for maximising genetic diversity during captive breeding programs and re-introduction schemes, including mathematical models and case studies.Conservation issues related to the introduction of GM plants and animals.The direct interaction between environmental contaminants and the biology and health of an organism. This could include studies on the effect of anthropogenic factors on mutation rates, evolutionary adaptation to local changes in the environment (such as industrial melanism), and studies on spec
From the journal's Aims & Scope
Research area (LetPub): Biodiversity Conservation
Editorial board by country: 1 in mainland China (about 2%); most named United States 31, United Kingdom 8, Australia 6, Canada 5, Sweden 3 (62 members with a country) Editorial board ↗Publisher website ·
Main research topics OpenAlex counts of recent articles; shares are approximate
- Genetic diversity and population structureBiochemistry, Genetics and Molecular Biology31.8%
- Genetic and phenotypic traits in livestockBiochemistry, Genetics and Molecular Biology9.4%
- Wildlife Ecology and ConservationEnvironmental Science9.1%
- Fish Ecology and Management StudiesEnvironmental Science7.1%
- Identification and Quantification in FoodBiochemistry, Genetics and Molecular Biology5.2%
- Plant and animal studiesAgricultural and Biological Sciences4.8%
- Amphibian and Reptile BiologyEnvironmental Science3.8%
- Environmental DNA in Biodiversity StudiesEnvironmental Science3%
Rankings & indexing
CAS ranking and database indexing
CAS Journal Ranking
CAS Journal Ranking, upgraded edition (March 2025)Environmental Science & Ecology Zone 3
| Level | Category | Zone |
|---|---|---|
| Major | Environmental Science & Ecology | Zone 3 |
| Minor | Biodiversity Conservation | Zone 4 |
| Minor | Genetics & Heredity | Zone 4 |
Top journal: noReview journal: no
CAS Xinrui Journal Ranking (March 2026)Environmental Science & Ecology Zone 3
| Level | Category | Zone |
|---|---|---|
| Major | Environmental Science & Ecology | Zone 3 |
| Minor | Biodiversity Conservation | Zone 3 |
| Minor | Genetics & Heredity | Zone 3 |
Top journal: noReview journal: not marked
CAS Journal Ranking, previous upgraded edition (December 2023)Environmental Science & Ecology Zone 3
| Level | Category | Zone |
|---|---|---|
| Major | Environmental Science & Ecology | Zone 3 |
| Minor | Biodiversity Conservation | Zone 3 |
| Minor | Genetics & Heredity | Zone 3 |
Top journal: noReview journal: no
Database indexing
SCIEScopusLetPub
International journal early-warning lists: not listed in any editionLetPub
Indexing the journal's website claims
CASCAB AbstractsCurrent ContentsPublisher website
Other: Google Scholar, EBSCO, ProQuest, Dimensions, CNKI, Baidu, AGRICOLA, Astrophysics Data System, Naver, OCLC, Portico, CLOCKSS
As the journal's website lists them, not checked against each database; for Web of Science editions the records above apply.
Editions, and major and minor categories, are shown separately and never merged into one zone; check which edition your institution uses before you submit or report.
Metrics
Impact metrics and publication volume
Impact
- Impact factor
- 2.33LetPub ·
- Impact factor (publisher) 2025
- 2.4Publisher website ·
- 5-year impact factor (publisher) 2025
- 2.3Publisher website ·
- CiteScore 2026-06
- 3.7LetPub ·
- SJR 2026-06
- 0.62LetPub ·
- SNIP 2026-06
- 0.92LetPub ·
- h-index
- 67LetPub ·
- h-index
- 106OpenAlex ·
- i10-index
- 2,167OpenAlex ·
- 2-year mean citedness
- 1.84OpenAlex ·
- Self-citation rate
- 4.2%LetPub ·
- Share of gold OA articles
- 54.2%LetPub ·
Volume
- Articles per year
- 76LetPub ·
- Articles per year (publisher)
- 2,025Publisher website ·
- Downloads per year (publisher) 2025
- 498,200Publisher website ·
Articles by year OpenAlex count · 3,245 in total · the current year is incomplete
| Year | Articles | Open access | Citations |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 94 | 59 | 16 |
| 2025 | 78 | 56 | 137 |
| 2024 | 75 | 42 | 302 |
| 2023 | 99 | 59 | 697 |
| 2022 | 69 | 22 | 505 |
| 2021 | 100 | 33 | 1,363 |
Sources count differently and were observed at different times, so each source's own value is kept; "publisher" marks figures from the journal's website.
Review & acceptance
Review time and acceptance
Review time from article dates manuscript dates registered with Crossref · to
162 daysMedian, submission to acceptance · P25–P75 112 days – 252 days
- Acceptance to online
- median 17 days (95 articles)
- Submission to online
- median 192 days
- Sample
- 95 articles with submission and acceptance dates (196 in the window); the latest was accepted on
Only articles that were accepted and published are counted, not the time spent on rejected manuscripts, so this usually runs longer than a publisher's "time to first decision".
Other sources
- Average review time (community reports)
- about 1 monthLetPub ·
- Average acceptance (community reports)
- 5%LetPub ·
- Submission to first decision
- 5 daysPublisher website ·
- Peer review
- Double anonymous peer reviewPublisher website
Community reports come from authors' own submissions (confidence 0.5) and are not a promise from the journal; for publisher figures, the journal's own definitions apply.
Fees & open access
APC and open-access policy
Hybrid open accessLetPub
A subscription journal in which authors can pay to publish their article open access.
| Source | APC | Fee waiver | License | Observed |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| OpenAlex | USD 3,790 / EUR 2,890 / GBP 2,490 | — | — |
A hybrid journal charges the APC only when the author chooses open access; publishing under the subscription model is usually free.
Other charges and waivers (author guidelines)
- Other fees
- Charged; see the journal's website for the amount
The journal's website is authoritative for fees; sources were observed at different times and each keeps its own value, without averaging.
Submission
Article types and submission policies (journal website)
What to prepare5 items from the author guidelines
- Abstract
- 150–250 words
- Keywords
- ≥ 4
- Manuscript length
- ≤ 8,000 words
- Reference style
- Author–date
- Suggested reviewers
- Optional
Article types accepted13, with length limits
- letterAppropriate subjects for papers in Conservation Genetics are described in the section on ‘aims and scope’ (and see note appended below on dominant markers). Ori…Length not stated
- letter to the editorAppropriate subjects for papers in Conservation Genetics are described in the section on ‘aims and scope’ (and see note appended below on dominant markers). Ori…Length not stated
- opinionAppropriate subjects for papers in Conservation Genetics are described in the section on ‘aims and scope’ (and see note appended below on dominant markers). Ori…Length not stated
- original research articleAppropriate subjects for papers in Conservation Genetics are described in the section on ‘aims and scope’ (and see note appended below on dominant markers). Ori…Length not stated
- original research paperAppropriate subjects for papers in Conservation Genetics are described in the section on ‘aims and scope’ (and see note appended below on dominant markers). Ori…main text ≤ 6,000 words
- original research papersOriginal research papers are typically no longer than 6,000 words, but can be up to a maximum of 8,000 words.Length not stated
- perspectiveAppropriate subjects for papers in Conservation Genetics are described in the section on ‘aims and scope’ (and see note appended below on dominant markers). Ori…Length not stated
- perspectivesPerspectives can provide personal viewpoints, promote discussion on current topics, or propose new areas of conservation genetic research, application or develo…Length not stated
- reviewAppropriate subjects for papers in Conservation Genetics are described in the section on ‘aims and scope’ (and see note appended below on dominant markers). Ori…main text ≤ 7,000 words
- review articleAppropriate subjects for papers in Conservation Genetics are described in the section on ‘aims and scope’ (and see note appended below on dominant markers). Ori…Length not stated
- review articlesReviews will be concise reports on an area of interest in conservation genetics and should be no more than 7,000 words long.Length not stated
- short communicationAppropriate subjects for papers in Conservation Genetics are described in the section on ‘aims and scope’ (and see note appended below on dominant markers). Ori…main text ≤ 2,000 words
- short communicationsShort communications of a maximum 2,000 words and three display items will also be considered.Length not stated
Policy excerpts from the journal's websiteAI use, Authorship, Conflicts of interest, Data availability, Publication ethics, License & copyright, Open access, Plagiarism, Preprints
- AI use Generative AI Images
LLMs do not satisfy authorship criteria. Model summary
Please check Springer’s policy on generative AI images and make sure your work adheres to the principles described therein. Back to top
Source ↗Publisher website ·- Authorship Authorship principles
4 to 6 keywords required. Model summary
These guidelines describe authorship principles and good authorship practices to which prospective authors should adhere to. Authorship clarified The Journal and Publisher assume all authors agreed with the content and that all gave explicit consent to submit and that they obtained consent from the responsible authorities at the institute/organization where the work has been carried out, before th…
Source ↗Publisher website ·- Conflicts of interest Disclosures and declarations
All authors are requested to include information regarding sources of funding, financial or non-financial interests, study-specific approval by the appropriate ethics committee for research involving humans and/or animals, informed consent if the research involved human participants, and a statement on welfare of animals if the research involved animals (as appropriate). The decision whether such …
Source ↗Publisher website ·- Data availability Data Availability
Optional data availability statement encouraged. Model summary
This journal encourages authors to provide an optional statement of data availability in their article. Data Availability Statements should include information on where data supporting the results reported in the article can be found, including, where applicable, hyperlinks to publicly archived datasets analysed or generated during the study. Data availability statements can also indicate whether …
Source ↗Publisher website ·- Publication ethics Compliance with Ethical Standards
COPE member; follows COPE guidelines on misconduct. Model summary
To ensure objectivity and transparency in research and to ensure that accepted principles of ethical and professional conduct have been followed, authors should include information regarding sources of funding, potential conflicts of interest (financial or non-financial), informed consent if the research involved human participants, and a statement on welfare of animals if the research involved an…
Source ↗Publisher website ·- License & copyright Copyright
Permissions required for previously published material. Model summary
Open Choice articles do not require transfer of copyright as the copyright remains with the author. In opting for open access, the author(s) agree to publish the article under a Creative Commons license. Details of the OA licences offered to authors can be found on the individual journal website, in the journal's How to publish with us guide. Back to top
Source ↗Publisher website ·- Open access Open access publishing
To find out more about publishing your work Open Access in Conservation Genetics, including information on fees, funding and licences, visit our Open access publishing page. Back to top
Source ↗Publisher website ·- Plagiarism
Plagiarism screening software may be used. Model summary
Important note: the journal may use software to screen for plagiarism.
Source ↗Publisher website ·- Preprints In Review: Preprint Service
Originality and exclusivity required at submission. Model summary
AUTHOR SERVICE Conservation Genetics, in partnership with Research Square, now offers In Review: a journal-integrated preprint service.
Source ↗Publisher website ·
Excerpts are quoted from the journal's website; "model summary" lines are written by Workers AI and checked against the text. The journal's website is authoritative.
Profile
Publication details and official links
- Publisher
- Springer Netherlands
- Country or region
- NETHERLANDS
- Language
- English
- Frequency
- Quarterly
- Founded
- 2000
- ISSN
- 1566-0621
- Electronic ISSN
- 1572-9737
- Official links
- Journal homepage ↗OpenAlex
- Submission system ↗LetPub
- Author guidelines ↗LetPub
- Special issues ↗Publisher website
FAQ
Frequently asked questions about Conservation Genetics
What CAS zone is Conservation Genetics in?
In the 2025 upgraded edition of the CAS Journal Ranking, Conservation Genetics is in Zone 3 of Environmental Science & Ecology, and in Zone 4 of the minor category Biodiversity Conservation / Genetics & Heredity. In the 2026 Xinrui edition it is in Zone 3 of Environmental Science & Ecology. Zones from different editions, and from major and minor categories, are not interchangeable.
What is the impact factor of Conservation Genetics?
The latest impact factor listed by LetPub is 2.33; CiteScore 3.7, h-index 106.
How long does peer review take at Conservation Genetics?
Based on the dates recorded on 95 articles published between October 2024 and October 2026 (the last 24 months), the median time from submission to acceptance is 162 days (interquartile range 112–252 days); authors report an average review time of about 1 month; the community-reported acceptance is “about 5%”. Article statistics cover accepted papers only, publisher figures follow the journal's own definitions, and community reports come from authors' own submissions; none is a promise from the journal.
What are the manuscript requirements of Conservation Genetics?
According to the journal's author guidelines: Abstract: 150–250 words; Keywords: ≥ 4; Manuscript length: ≤ 8,000 words; Reference style: Author–date; Suggested reviewers: Optional. A model extracted these from the author guidelines and each was checked against the text; check the latest version on the journal's website before submitting.
Where are the editorial board members of Conservation Genetics based?
Of the 62 board members whose country the journal's board page names, 1 (about 2%) are in mainland China; the countries named most often are United States (31), United Kingdom (8) and Australia (6). Counted from the institutions listed on the board page; for reference only.
Which databases index Conservation Genetics?
According to LetPub and DOAJ records, Conservation Genetics is indexed in SCIE and Scopus. The journal's website also lists CAS, CAB Abstracts and Current Contents; that list has not been checked against each database.
Is Conservation Genetics open access, and what is the APC?
Conservation Genetics is a hybrid journal. For open-access publication: APC about USD 3,790.
Sources and updates
The facts on this page come from LetPub, OpenAlex, Publisher website; every figure is tagged with its source and the date it was observed, and conflicting values are kept per source. LetPub source page: view ↗ (archived 2026-08-26). Last updated: .