Journal profile · Soil Science
SOIL BIOLOGY & BIOCHEMISTRY
ISSN 0038-0717 · eISSN 1879-3428 · Elsevier Ltd · ENGLAND · Monthly · Founded 1969
SOIL BIOLOGY & BIOCHEMISTRY: CAS Zone 1 · Agricultural & Forestry Sciences (2025 upgraded edition, Top journal); impact factor 12.2; hybrid open access; APC about USD 4,950; review about 137 days (submission to acceptance, publisher); community-reported acceptance: about 60%; 297 articles in 2025; indexed in SCIE and Scopus.
Scope
Aims, scope and focus
SOIL BIOLOGY & BIOCHEMISTRY is published by Elsevier Ltd and is in Zone 1 of Agricultural & Forestry Sciences in the CAS Journal Ranking (2025 upgraded edition, Top journal). By OpenAlex counts of its recent articles, its largest topics are Soil Carbon and Nitrogen Dynamics, Soil and Water Nutrient Dynamics and Microbial Community Ecology and Physiology, together about 41.8% of its articles. Its main subfields are Plant Science. (generated from OpenAlex topic counts and CAS ranking data)
AIMS Soil Biology & Biochemistry publishes original, scientifically challenging research articles of international significance that describe and provide insight into biological processes occurring in soil. These include the possible applications of such knowledge to issues of soil and environmental quality - insofar as such studies inform our understanding of the role of soil biology and biochemistry in mediating soil functions, agricultural sustainability and ecosystem services. The ecology and biochemical processes of soil organisms, their effects on the environment and their interactions with plants are major topics. The applications of new molecular, microscopic and analytical techniques to understanding and explaining population and community dynamics is of great interest. The journal also publishes state-of-the-art reviews of contemporary research that present significant and novel hypotheses, as well as comments and arguments about specific and often controversial aspects of life in the soil.SCOPE The scope of Soil Biology & Biochemistry publishes scientific research articles of international significance which describe and explain fundamental biological and biochemical features and processes occurring in soil systems.The emphasis is on original research which substantively advances or directs our understanding of the mechanistic basis of how soils function. Articles may involve applications of basic knowledge to applied issues if they provide distinct insight into the role of soil biology and biochemistry in regulating soil functions. Some examples of major topics include:The ecology of all soil organisms (including viruses)How soil biology interacts with soil physical and chemical properties and processes to regulate belowground functionsRelationships and functional interactions between soil biota and plantsThe effects of soil organisms on ecosystem dynamics across spatial and temporal scalesSBB also emphasizes the application of molecular, microscopic, and analytical techniques and modelling approaches to understand, explain and visualise soil functioning. Technique-focused papers must involve a particularly high degree of novelty or significance.In addition, the journal publishes state-of-the-art reviews that consider contemporary research and synthesise knowledge to provide enhanced understanding of biotic roles in soil system functioning.The Editors-in-Chief do not accept pre-submission enquiries to determine if a manuscript is likely to be of interest to the journal. Please submit your paper straight to the platform for consideration.
From the journal's Aims & Scope
Research area (LetPub): Soil Science
Editor-in-chief Karl RitzPublisher website
Editorial board by country: 19 in mainland China (about 17%); most named United States 21, Mainland China 19, United Kingdom 13, Germany 9, Canada 9 (112 members with a country) Editorial board ↗Publisher website ·
Main research topics OpenAlex counts of recent articles; shares are approximate
- Soil Carbon and Nitrogen DynamicsAgricultural and Biological Sciences26.6%
- Soil and Water Nutrient DynamicsEnvironmental Science8.1%
- Microbial Community Ecology and PhysiologyEnvironmental Science7.1%
- Peatlands and Wetlands EcologyEnvironmental Science6.7%
- Legume Nitrogen Fixing SymbiosisAgricultural and Biological Sciences6%
- Mycorrhizal Fungi and Plant InteractionsAgricultural and Biological Sciences5.8%
- Plant nutrient uptake and metabolismAgricultural and Biological Sciences3.5%
- Soil and Unsaturated FlowEngineering2.9%
Rankings & indexing
CAS ranking and database indexing
CAS Journal Ranking
CAS Journal Ranking, upgraded edition (March 2025)Agricultural & Forestry Sciences Zone 1
| Level | Category | Zone |
|---|---|---|
| Major | Agricultural & Forestry Sciences | Zone 1 |
| Minor | Soil Science | Zone 1 |
Top journal: yesReview journal: no
CAS Xinrui Journal Ranking (March 2026)Agricultural & Forestry Sciences Zone 1
| Level | Category | Zone |
|---|---|---|
| Major | Agricultural & Forestry Sciences | Zone 1 |
| Minor | Soil Science | Zone 1 |
Top journal: yesReview journal: not marked
CAS Journal Ranking, previous upgraded edition (December 2023)Agricultural & Forestry Sciences Zone 1
| Level | Category | Zone |
|---|---|---|
| Major | Agricultural & Forestry Sciences | Zone 1 |
| Minor | Soil Science | Zone 1 |
Top journal: yesReview journal: no
Database indexing
SCIEScopusLetPub
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
- 12.2LetPub ·
- Impact factor (publisher)
- 12.2Publisher website ·
- CiteScore 2026-06
- 21.1LetPub ·
- CiteScore (publisher)
- 21.1Publisher website ·
- SJR 2026-06
- 4.24LetPub ·
- SNIP 2026-06
- 2.65LetPub ·
- h-index
- 186LetPub ·
- h-index
- 363OpenAlex ·
- i10-index
- 11,068OpenAlex ·
- 2-year mean citedness
- 14.1OpenAlex ·
- Self-citation rate
- 4.9%LetPub ·
- Share of gold OA articles
- 36.24%LetPub ·
Volume
- Articles per year
- 279LetPub ·
Articles by year OpenAlex count · 13,179 in total · the current year is incomplete
| Year | Articles | Open access | Citations |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 189 | 97 | 189 |
| 2025 | 297 | 174 | 3,221 |
| 2024 | 318 | 181 | 7,927 |
| 2023 | 275 | 151 | 9,995 |
| 2022 | 310 | 152 | 17,172 |
| 2021 | 332 | 147 | 22,147 |
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
137 dayssubmission to acceptance · community reports about 2.9 months
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)
- about 2.9 monthsLetPub ·
- Average acceptance (community reports)
- 60%LetPub ·
- Submission to first decision
- 9 daysPublisher website ·
- First decision after review
- 57 daysPublisher website ·
- Submission to acceptance
- 137 daysPublisher website ·
- Acceptance to publication
- 2 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| OpenAlex | USD 4,950 / EUR 4,630 / GBP 3,960 / JPY 613,950 | — | — | |
| Publisher website | USD 5,490 | — | — |
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 papers2, by deadline
Publisher websiteWhat to prepare7 items from the author guidelines
- Abstract
- ≤ 400 words
- Keywords
- 1–7
- Manuscript length
- ≤ 1,200 words
- Templates
- LaTeX and Word
- Suggested reviewers
- Optional
- Graphical abstract
- Optional
- Cover letter
- Required
Article types accepted13
- editorial1. Regular papers. Original full-length research papers which have not been published previously, except in a preliminary form, may be submitted as regular pape…Length not stated
- letters to the editor1. Regular papers. Original full-length research papers which have not been published previously, except in a preliminary form, may be submitted as regular pape…Length not stated
- opinion1. Regular papers. Original full-length research papers which have not been published previously, except in a preliminary form, may be submitted as regular pape…Length not stated
- perspective1. Regular papers. Original full-length research papers which have not been published previously, except in a preliminary form, may be submitted as regular pape…Length not stated
- perspectives4. Perspectives: These are articles that provide an insightful perspective on any subject covered by the aims and scope of SBB.Length not stated
- regular paper1. Regular papers. Original full-length research papers which have not been published previously, except in a preliminary form, may be submitted as regular pape…Length not stated
- regular papers1. Regular papers. Original full-length research papers which have not been published previously, except in a preliminary form, may be submitted as regular pape…Length not stated
- research paper1. Regular papers. Original full-length research papers which have not been published previously, except in a preliminary form, may be submitted as regular pape…Length not stated
- review1. Regular papers. Original full-length research papers which have not been published previously, except in a preliminary form, may be submitted as regular pape…Length not stated
- review article1. Regular papers. Original full-length research papers which have not been published previously, except in a preliminary form, may be submitted as regular pape…Length not stated
- review articles3. Review articles*. Review articles are welcome but should be topical and involve critique and synthesis, and should not just comprise an overview or summary o…Length not stated
- short communication1. Regular papers. Original full-length research papers which have not been published previously, except in a preliminary form, may be submitted as regular pape…Length not stated
- short communications2. Short communications. These should not exceed 1200 words (three printed pages) or their equivalent, excluding references and legends.Length not stated
Policy excerpts from the journal's websiteAI use, Authorship, Conflicts of interest, 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 ·- 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
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
single anonymized review process Model summary
This journal follows a single 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 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 Ltd
- Country or region
- ENGLAND
- Language
- Multi-Language
- Frequency
- Monthly
- Founded
- 1969
- ISSN
- 0038-0717
- Electronic ISSN
- 1879-3428
- Official links
- Journal homepage ↗LetPub
- Submission system ↗Publisher website
- Special issues ↗Publisher website
FAQ
Frequently asked questions about SOIL BIOLOGY & BIOCHEMISTRY
What CAS zone is SOIL BIOLOGY & BIOCHEMISTRY in?
In the 2025 upgraded edition of the CAS Journal Ranking, SOIL BIOLOGY & BIOCHEMISTRY is in Zone 1 of Agricultural & Forestry Sciences, and in Zone 1 of the minor category Soil Science; it is a Top journal. In the 2026 Xinrui edition it is in Zone 1 of Agricultural & Forestry Sciences. Zones from different editions, and from major and minor categories, are not interchangeable.
What is the impact factor of SOIL BIOLOGY & BIOCHEMISTRY?
The latest impact factor listed by LetPub is 12.2; CiteScore 21.1, h-index 363.
How long does peer review take at SOIL BIOLOGY & BIOCHEMISTRY?
The publisher reports about 137 days (submission to acceptance); authors report an average review time of about 2.9 months; the community-reported acceptance is “about 60%”. 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 SOIL BIOLOGY & BIOCHEMISTRY?
According to the journal's author guidelines: Abstract: ≤ 400 words; Keywords: 1–7; Manuscript length: ≤ 1,200 words; Templates: LaTeX and Word; Suggested reviewers: Optional; Graphical abstract: Optional; Cover letter: Required. 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 SOIL BIOLOGY & BIOCHEMISTRY based?
Of the 112 board members whose country the journal's board page names, 19 (about 17%) are in mainland China; the countries named most often are United States (21), Mainland China (19) and United Kingdom (13). Counted from the institutions listed on the board page; for reference only.
Which databases index SOIL BIOLOGY & BIOCHEMISTRY?
According to LetPub and DOAJ records, SOIL BIOLOGY & BIOCHEMISTRY is indexed in SCIE and Scopus.
Is SOIL BIOLOGY & BIOCHEMISTRY open access, and what is the APC?
SOIL BIOLOGY & BIOCHEMISTRY is a hybrid journal. For open-access publication: APC about USD 4,950.
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: .