Journal profile · Paleontology
Palynology
ISSN 0191-6122 · eISSN 1558-9188 · Taylor and Francis Ltd. · UNITED STATES · Annual
Palynology: CAS Zone 4 · Earth Sciences (2025 upgraded edition); impact factor 1.52; JCR Q2 (journal website); hybrid open access; APC charged, amount not published; review about 45 days (first decision after review, publisher); community-reported acceptance: easy; 49 articles in 2025; indexed in SCIE and Scopus.
Scope
Aims, scope and focus
Palynology is published by Taylor and Francis Ltd. and is in Zone 4 of Earth Sciences in the CAS Journal Ranking (2025 upgraded edition). By OpenAlex counts of its recent articles, its largest topics are Geology and Paleoclimatology Research, Paleontology and Stratigraphy of Fossils and Plant Diversity and Evolution, together about 47.5% of its articles. (generated from OpenAlex topic counts and CAS ranking data)
Palynology was first published in 1977, and is now is a well-established, international journal covering all aspects of the science of organic microfossils and their modern counterparts. We accept papers on both pre-Quaternary and Quaternary palynology, and palaeobotany. Articles across the entire range of palynomorph groups and geological ages are welcomed. Contributions on both the traditional aspects of the subject, and the more novel uses of palynology, are all actively encouraged. We accept suitable manuscripts on, for example, actuopalynology, archaeological palynology, biostratigraphy, floral history, forensic palynology, mellitopalynology and taxonomy. Additionally, book reviews, review articles, papers on methodology and short monographs would all fall within the scope of this journal. The high quality of illustrative material has always been a characteristic of Palynology . ***** The AASP Newsletter is available at http://www.palynology.org/newsletter Peer Review Statement Palynology is an international, peer-reviewed journal which publishes high quality, original research contributions to scientific knowledge. All manuscript submissions are subject to initial appraisal by the Managing Editor, and, if found suitable for further consideration, to peer review by independent, anonymous expert referees. All peer review is single anonymized and submission is online via ScholarOne Manuscripts.
From the journal's Aims & Scope
Research area (LetPub): Paleontology
Editorial board by country: none in mainland China; most named United Kingdom 2, Spain 1, Australia 1 (4 members with a country) Editorial board ↗Publisher website ·
Main research topics OpenAlex counts of recent articles; shares are approximate
- Geology and Paleoclimatology ResearchEarth and Planetary Sciences20.3%
- Paleontology and Stratigraphy of FossilsEarth and Planetary Sciences16.5%
- Plant Diversity and EvolutionAgricultural and Biological Sciences10.6%
- Plant and animal studiesAgricultural and Biological Sciences5.4%
- Geological formations and processesEarth and Planetary Sciences4.9%
- Plant and Fungal Species DescriptionsBiochemistry, Genetics and Molecular Biology4%
- Marine Biology and Ecology ResearchEarth and Planetary Sciences3.7%
- Marine and coastal ecosystemsEarth and Planetary Sciences2.8%
Rankings & indexing
CAS ranking and database indexing
CAS Journal Ranking
CAS Journal Ranking, upgraded edition (March 2025)Earth Sciences Zone 4
| Level | Category | Zone |
|---|---|---|
| Major | Earth Sciences | Zone 4 |
| Minor | Paleontology | Zone 3 |
| Minor | Plant Sciences | Zone 3 |
Top journal: noReview journal: no
CAS Xinrui Journal Ranking (March 2026)Earth Sciences Zone 4
| Level | Category | Zone |
|---|---|---|
| Major | Earth Sciences | Zone 4 |
| Minor | Plant Sciences | Zone 3 |
| Minor | Paleontology | Zone 4 |
Top journal: noReview journal: not marked
CAS Journal Ranking, previous upgraded edition (December 2023)Earth Sciences Zone 4
| Level | Category | Zone |
|---|---|---|
| Major | Earth Sciences | Zone 4 |
| Minor | Paleontology | Zone 4 |
| Minor | Plant Sciences | Zone 4 |
Top journal: noReview journal: no
JCR / CiteScore quartiles on the journal's website
- JCR Q2 · best quartile · 2025
- CiteScore Q2 · 2025
Publisher-reported: JCR figures are Clarivate's and CiteScore figures Scopus's to confirm; both are a different system from the CAS zones.Publisher website
Database indexing
SCIEScopusLetPub
International journal early-warning lists: not listed in any editionLetPub
Indexing the journal's website claims
GeoRefCurrent ContentsPublisher website
Other: Biological Abstracts, BIOSIS Previews, GEOBASE, GeoScienceWorld, Speleological Abstracts, Zoological Record
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
- 1.52LetPub ·
- Impact factor (publisher) 2025
- 1.7Publisher website ·
- 5-year impact factor (publisher) 2025
- 1.7Publisher website ·
- CiteScore 2026-06
- 2.9LetPub ·
- CiteScore (publisher) 2025
- 2.9Publisher website ·
- SJR 2026-06
- 0.44LetPub ·
- SJR (publisher) 2025
- 0.44Publisher website ·
- SNIP 2026-06
- 0.86LetPub ·
- SNIP (publisher) 2025
- 0.86Publisher website ·
- h-index
- 28LetPub ·
- h-index
- 59OpenAlex ·
- i10-index
- 626OpenAlex ·
- 2-year mean citedness
- 1.55OpenAlex ·
- Self-citation rate
- 11.8%LetPub ·
- Share of gold OA articles
- 6.38%LetPub ·
Volume
- Articles per year
- 45LetPub ·
- Downloads per year (publisher)
- 65,000Publisher website ·
- Downloads per year (publisher) 2025
- 65,000Publisher website ·
Articles by year OpenAlex count · 1,451 in total · the current year is incomplete
| Year | Articles | Open access | Citations |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 46 | 6 | 7 |
| 2025 | 49 | 15 | 44 |
| 2024 | 60 | 20 | 190 |
| 2023 | 49 | 21 | 168 |
| 2022 | 55 | 18 | 251 |
| 2021 | 45 | 9 | 499 |
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
45 daysfirst decision after review · community reports over 12 weeks
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
- Average review time (community reports)
- over 12 weeksLetPub ·
- Average acceptance (community reports)
- EasyLetPub ·
- Acceptance rate (publisher)
- 36%Publisher website ·
- Acceptance rate (publisher) 2025
- 36%Publisher website ·
- Submission to first decision
- 28 daysPublisher website ·
- Submission to first decision 2025
- 28 daysPublisher website ·
- First decision after review
- 45 daysPublisher website ·
- First decision after review 2025
- 45 daysPublisher website ·
- Acceptance to publication
- 48 daysPublisher website ·
- Acceptance to publication 2025
- 48 daysPublisher website ·
- Peer review
- Single 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Publisher website | Yes, amount not published | — | — |
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)
Policy excerpts from the journal's websiteOpen access, Peer review
- Open access Open access
Palynology is a hybrid open access journal that is part of the Taylor & Francis Open Select publishing program, giving you the option to publish open access. Publishing open access means that your article will be free to access online immediately on publication, increasing the visibility, readership, and impact of your research. Why choose open access? Increase the discoverability and readership o…
Source ↗Publisher website ·- Peer review
Single anonymized peer review; submission via ScholarOne Manuscripts. Model summary
All peer review is single anonymized and submission is online via ScholarOne Manuscripts.
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
- Taylor and Francis Ltd.
- Country or region
- UNITED STATES
- Language
- English
- Frequency
- Annual
- ISSN
- 0191-6122
- Electronic ISSN
- 1558-9188
- Society / sponsor
- Palynological Society
- Latest issue on the website
- Volume 50, Issue 3 (2026)
- Official links
- Journal homepage ↗OpenAlex
- Submission system ↗LetPub
- Special issues ↗Publisher website
FAQ
Frequently asked questions about Palynology
What CAS zone is Palynology in?
In the 2025 upgraded edition of the CAS Journal Ranking, Palynology is in Zone 4 of Earth Sciences, and in Zone 3 of the minor category Paleontology / Plant Sciences. In the 2026 Xinrui edition it is in Zone 4 of Earth Sciences. Zones from different editions, and from major and minor categories, are not interchangeable.
What is the impact factor of Palynology?
The latest impact factor listed by LetPub is 1.52; CiteScore 2.9, h-index 59.
How long does peer review take at Palynology?
The publisher reports about 45 days (first decision after review); authors report an average review time of over 12 weeks; the community-reported acceptance is “Easy”; the journal's website gives an acceptance rate of 36% (2025). 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 JCR quartile is Palynology in?
The journal's website gives JCR Q2 (best quartile). JCR quartiles are Clarivate's to confirm and a different system from the CAS zones; in the CAS ranking the journal is in Zone 4 of Earth Sciences.
Where are the editorial board members of Palynology based?
Of the 4 board members whose country the journal's board page names, none are in mainland China; the countries named most often are United Kingdom (2), Spain (1) and Australia (1). Counted from the institutions listed on the board page; for reference only.
Which databases index Palynology?
According to LetPub and DOAJ records, Palynology is indexed in SCIE and Scopus. The journal's website also lists GeoRef and Current Contents; that list has not been checked against each database.
Is Palynology open access, and what is the APC?
Palynology is a hybrid journal. For open-access publication: APC charged, amount not published.
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 2026-08-25). Last updated: .