Journal profile · ECOLOGYENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES&-ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES
Ecosystem Services
ISSN 2212-0416 · Elsevier BV · NETHERLANDS
Ecosystem Services: CAS Zone 2 · Environmental Science & Ecology (2025 upgraded edition); impact factor 7.78; hybrid open access; APC about USD 4,100; review about 244 days (submission to acceptance, publisher); 112 articles in 2025; indexed in SCIE, SSCI and Scopus.
Scope
Aims, scope and focus
Ecosystem Services is published by Elsevier BV and is in Zone 2 of Environmental Science & Ecology in the CAS Journal Ranking (2025 upgraded edition). By OpenAlex counts of its recent articles, its largest topics are Land Use and Ecosystem Services, Conservation, Biodiversity, and Resource Management and Economic and Environmental Valuation, together about 62.5% of its articles. Its main subfields are Global and Planetary Change. (generated from OpenAlex topic counts and CAS ranking data)
Ecosystem Services is an international, interdisciplinary journal that seeks to enhance science, policy and practice surrounding ecosystem services, which are direct and indirect contributions of ecosystems to human wellbeing. The journal is associated with the Ecosystem Services Partnership (ESP).The aim of the journal is to improve the understanding and management of ecosystem services—including their dynamics, interactions, social and economic benefits and their distribution, and pluralistic values—in systems with different levels of human influence, across local to global scales.Manuscripts will contribute to the above aim by:(1) Advancing technologies, methods, and data to capture and, where appropriate, empirically measure the dynamics and values of ecosystem services—through innovation, integration, conceptualization or testing.(2) Generating and integrating knowledge and information on ecosystem services and their interactions, including in the context of other conceptual frameworks that describe human-nature relations. (3) Fostering dialogues between science and policy that provide decision-makers with robust empirical evidence on ecosystem services assessment and valuation, support mainstreaming into economic and land-use management policies, and shed light on the consequences of policies and management for ecosystem services, sustainability, and nexus approaches.Manuscripts must be appropriately grounded in, or critically engage with, state-of-the-art frameworks that address human-nature relationships, ranging from dualistic to holistic, and the broader context of ecosystem service science, policy or practice (including, for example, Nature’s Contributions to People, Nature-based Solutions). They may be interdisciplinary or draw from specialized fields, including ecological, economic, social, health, psychological, environmental and political sciences. Papers should be of relevance to an international audience. We encourage the submission of novel empirical and conceptual work.We welcome applications of established tools (e.g., InVEST) when they make a clear contribution to advancing ecosystem services knowledge. Manuscripts that replicate standard workflows without new data, methods, or policy-relevant insight will not be considered.Manuscripts dealing with ecosystem services data and models should be reproducible and demonstrate Open Science best practices, such as Findable, Accessible, Interoperable, and Reusable (FAIR), and Collective benefit, Authority of control, Responsible and Ethical (CARE) principles. We encourage monetary valuation papers to align their work with the structure of the Ecosystem Services Valuation Database (ESVD; https://www.esvd.info/).Published articles may address, but are not limited to, the following topics:Diverse and plural benefits and values of ecosystem services, including economic and socio-cultural valuation approaches.Integration of ecosystem services into governance and policy frameworks, including natural capital accounting, ex ante and ex post policy evaluation, integrated planning for biodiversity conservation and sustainable development, and issues of environmental equity and justice.Innovative public and private financing and business strategies, including Payment for Ecosystem Services, blue and green bonds, debt-for-nature swaps, and ecological fiscal transfers.Innovative institutional designs to better manage and steward ecosystem services, including common asset trusts, cooperatives, and deliberative democracy institutions.Role of ecosystem services in sustainable environmental practices (e.g., land use, soils, water), including Nature-based Solutions, building with nature, and ecosystem restoration.Advances in co-production, decision support tools, and community engagement in the context of ecosystem services.Methodological innovation in ecosystem services assessments, modelling, and mapping, including applications of artificial intelligence and big data research tec
From the journal's Aims & Scope
Research area (LetPub): ECOLOGYENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES&-ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES
Editor-in-chief Andrea GhermandiPublisher website
Editorial board by country: 5 in mainland China (about 11%); most named United States 9, Netherlands 8, Mainland China 5, United Kingdom 3, Germany 3 (47 members with a country) Editorial board ↗Publisher website ·
Main research topics OpenAlex counts of recent articles; shares are approximate
- Land Use and Ecosystem ServicesEnvironmental Science30.3%
- Conservation, Biodiversity, and Resource ManagementEnvironmental Science18.8%
- Economic and Environmental ValuationEconomics, Econometrics and Finance13.4%
- Urban Green Space and HealthEnvironmental Science6%
- Environmental Conservation and ManagementEnvironmental Science5.6%
- Forest Management and PolicyEnvironmental Science4.8%
- Coastal and Marine ManagementEnvironmental Science2.9%
- Ecology and Vegetation Dynamics StudiesEnvironmental Science1.8%
Rankings & indexing
CAS ranking and database indexing
CAS Journal Ranking
CAS Journal Ranking, upgraded edition (March 2025)Environmental Science & Ecology Zone 2
| Level | Category | Zone |
|---|---|---|
| Major | Environmental Science & Ecology | Zone 2 |
| Minor | Ecology | Zone 2 |
| Minor | Environmental Sciences | Zone 2 |
| Minor | Environmental Studies | Zone 2 |
Top journal: noReview journal: no
CAS Xinrui Journal Ranking (March 2026)Environmental Science & Ecology Zone 1
| Level | Category | Zone |
|---|---|---|
| Major | Environmental Science & Ecology | Zone 1 |
| Minor | Ecology | Zone 1 |
| Minor | Environmental Sciences | Zone 2 |
| Minor | Environmental Studies | Zone 2 |
Top journal: yesReview journal: not marked
CAS Journal Ranking, previous upgraded edition (December 2023)Environmental Science & Ecology Zone 2
| Level | Category | Zone |
|---|---|---|
| Major | Environmental Science & Ecology | Zone 2 |
| Minor | Ecology | Zone 2 |
| Minor | Environmental Sciences | Zone 2 |
| Minor | Environmental Studies | Zone 2 |
Top journal: noReview journal: no
Database indexing
SCIESSCIScopusLetPub
International journal early-warning lists: not listed in any editionLetPub
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
- 7.78LetPub ·
- Impact factor (publisher)
- 7.8Publisher website ·
- CiteScore 2026-06
- 13.7LetPub ·
- CiteScore (publisher)
- 13.7Publisher website ·
- SJR 2026-06
- 2.23LetPub ·
- SNIP 2026-06
- 1.96LetPub ·
- h-index
- 46LetPub ·
- h-index
- 153OpenAlex ·
- i10-index
- 1,519OpenAlex ·
- 2-year mean citedness
- 8.17OpenAlex ·
- Self-citation rate
- 7.7%LetPub ·
- Share of gold OA articles
- 60.14%LetPub ·
Volume
- Articles per year
- 108LetPub ·
Articles by year OpenAlex count · 2,017 in total · the current year is incomplete
| Year | Articles | Open access | Citations |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 110 | 76 | 77 |
| 2025 | 112 | 84 | 724 |
| 2024 | 98 | 70 | 1,814 |
| 2023 | 83 | 55 | 1,745 |
| 2022 | 102 | 63 | 3,694 |
| 2021 | 175 | 99 | 6,578 |
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
Publisher-reported review time from the journal's website
244 dayssubmission to acceptance
The publisher's own definition applies; dates from this journal's articles in the last 24 months are not available yet, so the publisher's figure is used.
Figures by source
- Submission to first decision
- 16 daysPublisher website ·
- First decision after review
- 119 daysPublisher website ·
- Submission to acceptance
- 244 daysPublisher website ·
- Acceptance to publication
- 14 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 4,100 / EUR 3,840 / GBP 3,280 / JPY 508,520 | — | — | |
| Publisher website | USD 3,930 | — | — |
A hybrid journal charges the APC only when the author chooses open access; publishing under the subscription model is usually free.
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)
Open calls for papers4, by deadline
- Capturing interactions between services for ecosystem managementDeadline
- Ecosystem services for sustainability pathways in islandsDeadline
- Making Visible the Invisible: Addressing Knowledge Gaps and Methodological Challenges in Valuation of Underrepresented Ecosystem ServicesDeadline
- Valuing the forest for trees: Tree-ecosystem-based business modelsDeadline
What to prepare3 items from the author guidelines
- Abstract
- ≤ 250 words
- Manuscript length
- ≤ 8,000 words
- Reference style
- Author–date
Article types accepted13, with length limits
- commentaryEcosystem Services considers submissions in the following article formats. Note that word limits specified for each article type do not include references, tabl…Length not stated
- letterEcosystem Services considers submissions in the following article formats. Note that word limits specified for each article type do not include references, tabl…Length not stated
- letters to the editorEcosystem Services considers submissions in the following article formats. Note that word limits specified for each article type do not include references, tabl…main text ≤ 800 words
- literature reviewEcosystem Services considers submissions in the following article formats. Note that word limits specified for each article type do not include references, tabl…Length not stated
- original researchEcosystem Services considers submissions in the following article formats. Note that word limits specified for each article type do not include references, tabl…Length not stated
- original research articleEcosystem Services considers submissions in the following article formats. Note that word limits specified for each article type do not include references, tabl…main text ≤ 8,000 words
- research articleEcosystem Services considers submissions in the following article formats. Note that word limits specified for each article type do not include references, tabl…Length not stated
- research articles (including policy assessments)Research papers report the results of original research including policy assessments. The material must not have been previously published elsewhere. Original r…Length not stated
- research paperEcosystem Services considers submissions in the following article formats. Note that word limits specified for each article type do not include references, tabl…Length not stated
- reviewEcosystem Services considers submissions in the following article formats. Note that word limits specified for each article type do not include references, tabl…Length not stated
- review articleEcosystem Services considers submissions in the following article formats. Note that word limits specified for each article type do not include references, tabl…main text ≤ 12,000 words
- review articles (including policy reviews)Reviews should address topics or issues of current interest. They may be submitted or invited. Review articles, up to approximately 12,000 words, must include a…Length not stated
- viewpointEcosystem Services considers submissions in the following article formats. Note that word limits specified for each article type do not include references, tabl…Length not stated
Policy excerpts from the journal's websiteAI use, Authorship, Conflicts of interest, Data availability, Publication ethics, License & copyright, Open access, Peer review, Preprints
- AI use Declaration of generative AI use
Authors must declare the use of generative AI tools in the manuscript preparation process upon submission of the paper.Generative AI and AI-assisted technologies (“AI tools”) have been rapidly adopted in research and scholarly publishing, offering significant benefits while requiring clear standards for responsible and transparent use.Authors preparing a manuscript for this journal may use AI tool…
Source ↗Publisher website ·- Authorship Group authorship
Group authorship refers to the attribution of an article to a defined and named group of authors whose members have contributed to the work. Examples include research consortia, clinical trial groups, collaborative networks, task forces or working groups, expert panels or consensus groups, and participatory research groups. Group authorship must be declared on the title page at submission. When av…
Source ↗Publisher website ·- Conflicts of interest Declaration of competing interests
All authors must disclose any financial and personal relationships with other people or organizations that could inappropriately influence or bias their work. Examples of potential competing interests include:EmploymentConsultanciesStock ownershipHonorariaPaid expert testimonyPatent applications or registrationsGrants or any other fundingAffiliation with the journal as an Editor or Advisory Board …
Source ↗Publisher website ·- Data availability
Jurisdictional claims policy Model summary
Elsevier respects the decisions taken by its authors as to how they choose to designate territories and identify their affiliations in their published content. Elsevier’s policy is to take a neutral position with respect to territorial disputes or jurisdictional claims, including, but not limited to, maps and institutional affiliations.
Source ↗Publisher website ·- Publication ethics
Publishing ethics policy Model summary
Authors must follow ethical guidelines stated in Elsevier's Publishing Ethics Policy.
Source ↗Publisher website ·- License & copyright License options
Authors will be offered open access user license options which will determine how you, and third parties, can reuse your open access article. We advise that you review these options and any funding body license requirements before selecting a license option.
Source ↗Publisher website ·- Open access Open access
Open access options available Model summary
We refer you to our open access information page to learn about open access options for this journal.
Source ↗Publisher website ·- Peer review Peer review
Double anonymized peer review Model summary
This journal follows a double anonymized review process. Your submission will initially be assessed by our editors. If your submission is deemed suitable, it will typically be sent to be reviewed by a minimum of two reviewers for an independent expert assessment of the scientific quality. The decision as to whether your article is accepted or rejected for publication will be made by our editors.Re…
Source ↗Publisher website ·- Preprints Preprints
Preprint sharing allowed Model summary
Preprint sharingAuthors may share preprints in line with Elsevier's article sharing policy. Sharing preprints, such as on a preprint server, will not count as prior publication.We advise you to read our policy on multiple, redundant or concurrent publication. In support of Open Science, this journal offers its authors a free preprint posting service on SSRN, Elsevier’s preprint and early research …
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
- Elsevier BV
- Country or region
- NETHERLANDS
- Language
- English
- ISSN
- 2212-0416
- Official links
- Journal homepage ↗OpenAlex
- Submission system ↗Publisher website
- Special issues ↗Publisher website
FAQ
Frequently asked questions about Ecosystem Services
What CAS zone is Ecosystem Services in?
In the 2025 upgraded edition of the CAS Journal Ranking, Ecosystem Services is in Zone 2 of Environmental Science & Ecology, and in Zone 2 of the minor category Ecology / Environmental Sciences / Environmental Studies. In the 2026 Xinrui edition it is in Zone 1 of Environmental Science & Ecology. Zones from different editions, and from major and minor categories, are not interchangeable.
What is the impact factor of Ecosystem Services?
The latest impact factor listed by LetPub is 7.78; CiteScore 13.7, h-index 153.
How long does peer review take at Ecosystem Services?
The publisher reports about 244 days (submission to acceptance). 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 Ecosystem Services?
According to the journal's author guidelines: Abstract: ≤ 250 words; Manuscript length: ≤ 8,000 words; Reference style: Author–date. 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 Ecosystem Services based?
Of the 47 board members whose country the journal's board page names, 5 (about 11%) are in mainland China; the countries named most often are United States (9), Netherlands (8) and Mainland China (5). Counted from the institutions listed on the board page; for reference only.
Which databases index Ecosystem Services?
According to LetPub and DOAJ records, Ecosystem Services is indexed in SCIE, SSCI and Scopus.
Is Ecosystem Services open access, and what is the APC?
Ecosystem Services is a hybrid journal. For open-access publication: APC about USD 4,100.
Sources and updates
The facts on this page come from LetPub, Publisher website, OpenAlex; 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: .