Five decades of biogeography: A view from the <i>Journal of Biogeography</i>

The first issue of Journal Biogeography (JBI) was published by Blackwell Scientific in March 1974. Volume 1 summed to 279 pages over four issues, and its remit broad—biology, geography, palaeontology, genetics, human modification the environment, effects on biotic distributions, their medical relevance, more (Watts, 1974). Although other journals carried some biogeographical papers (e.g. see Cowell & Parker, 2004), JBI remained sole journal dedicated publishing biogeography until early 1990s when two sister titles—Biodiversity Letters Global Ecology Letters—were created accommodate growth field (Figure 1), rise global environmental concerns (Stott, 1991) momentum captured newly coined concepts such as ‘biodiversity’ 1993). These metamorphosed into now familiar titles Diversity Distributions (DDI) (GEB) late publish burgeoning studies of, respectively, biological invasions (Richardson, 1998) macroecology (Whittaker, 1999). Throughout, continued act most inclusive venue for biogeography, content shifting through years interests authors readers waxed waned. commitment represent full breadth has a constant since (Linder, 2016; Whittaker, 2005), that should be about biogeographers, biogeographers both 2016). Changes also have reflected changes publishing. JBI, example, transitioned from initial sub-A4-sized format A4 1989 2014). editorial introducing GEB noted adoption email handling reviews, encouraged submit electronic versions revised manuscripts ‘by disk’, referred website key source information; could downloaded PDF files, HTML were immediate horizon A half-decade later, ‘Online-Early’ imminent, allowing digital publication online before print issues citation using Digital Object Identifier (DOI); referral pathways, transfer articles among journals, starting take shape 2005). Around same time, Online Supporting Information enabled, which accompanied >80% decade later 2014); proportion research is >95%. Linder (2016) remarked emergence data repositories, surge relying ‘recycled’ data, need recognition authors, deposition new policies access. been part parcel suite double-edged risen prominence past decade. For Open Access publication, democratize science, predatory raises questions equity access profiteering (Carey, Linacre, 2022); speed process, can accelerate progress, exacerbates pressures ‘publish [prolifically] or perish’ degrades quality community ‘work–life’ balance (Hortal et al., 2019); ‘cascade’ reduce workload re-using peer oftentimes refer in-house open with high article processing charges 2019) balkanize science pre-publication; misunderstandings review processes exacerbate cries change may inadvertently undermine efforts maintain increase (Dawson These, Meynard 2021), continue challenge us today, point we return discussing journal's philosophy landscape—along technology, (Ladle 2015)—are expected manifest representation topics journals. Thus, invasion biology declined between 2000s 2a), though they increased during period 2b), likely influenced DDI. refocusing DDI conservation 2005 elevated distribution discipline (Richardson 2010; Whittaker 2005) taking lions' share. Other featured heavily approaches arose established roles disciplinary landscape. Island became mainstay 1980s primary outlet high-quality innovative 2008). popular phylogeography 2000s, spurred rapid series advances genetic computational methods an eponymous very highly cited book (Avise, 2000). Phylogeography substantial fraction 2010s, mirroring popularity broadly 2c), recent developments show ripe rejuvenation 2022; McGaughran 2022). addressing functional related areas last particularly noteworthy, given relatively origin many (Violle kinds observations suggest played important role setting agenda reflecting thinking inception. To pay tribute this history, compiled selected five decades virtual celebrate 50th anniversary. compilation per quinquennium JBI's inception 1974, provides sampling priority time. On occasion, these appear coincide number submissions, 1980s, island 2 10 articles. But periods mismatch; one frequent decades, but rarely yields most-highly article; contrast, species modelling over-represented most-cited lists relative publications. Intriguingly, are increasingly seeing integration together provide additional insight dynamics parallels geological genomic Ribas second presents 50 all This reveals unmistakable concentration: two-thirds 2010s. Particularly, emerges throughout (Araújo Guisan, 2006; Liu 2013; Pearson 2007; Radosavljevic Anderson, 2014), well conceptual pieces drivers diversity (Brown, 2014; Fahrig, 2013), distributions (Briggs Bowen, 2012), islands (Whittaker 2008) 2009), extent correspond saw lot traffic. sign exciting time biogeography; it structural increases accessibility due publishing, availability, analytical software, coalescing around society, combination phenomena. Whatever cause, clearly timely consequential, piquing comment curiosity. Considering together, coming years, expect join pantheon Their sometimes further develop already high-profile topics, habitat fragmentation Bradie Leung, 2017; Hanski, 2015; Leroy 2018). times highlight emerging example montane Flantua 2019; Perrigo 2020), ways conceptualizing how tackle longstanding (and new) questions, including traits sciences (Weigelt 2020; Zhao 2019). Looking forward, publications technologies applications will understanding Ariza Calderón-Sanou Farquhar 2022), advanced techniques better infer process pattern (Dupin 2017) knowledge yield greater (Matzke, Ree Sanmartín, grown metrics: almost entirety volume 1, 12 year rather than four, back-catalogue ~6000 growing, accrues tens-of-thousands citations (over 20,000 2021 alone; Web Science Publication Titles search 06 December repeat each year. speak heft intellectual stature; premier biogeographers. therefore remains committed long-standing goals served well: intellectually broad flavours Watts, 1974; 2005, 2015). Yet, there opportunity redefine approach goals. Biogeography, like ecological evolutionary sciences, tend towards atlas case (Roughgarden, 2009) synthetic world required. While might counter rules abound, often old so exceptions abound too. What modern holistic look change? And reconcile operational actionable ‘laws’ malleable planet? Through refinements scope, guidance practices, emphasized deeper, generalizable adaptable biogeography. scope statement (Supporting 1) prompts situate work explicitly ‘theoretical foundations contribute’, suggests abstract's aim conclusion. We cutting-edge without excluding consideration reveal any place, taxon creative question, clear hypotheses robust study design essential requirements, if seeks then comparison contrast required within study. patterns across studies, meta- re-analyses, rigorously apply requirement data. goals, vital contemporary serving discipline. leading encompassing considering achievements vantage our year, spy largely uncharted territory sailed seas. seldom contain bounds nor inner workings. matters, would welcome far history sciences. not representative spatial people who ask them. single measure, method scientific, diverse know best fostering pluralistic perspectives (Miller Moreover, integrating existing Mora-Soto 2021) advance encourage reimagine it. shortfalls 2015) maps ignorance (Rocchini 2011) re-imagined. Perhaps benefit ‘feeling organism’ too 2021; Keller, 1983) feeling place: conceive factors determining organisms, proxy how, what, why—from umwelten (von Uexküll, 1934)—they live where do. Biogeographical pluralism, while exercising mind encouraging multidisciplinarity, simultaneously vehicle rigour, helping conundrum falsification challenging (Brooks 2001; Craw, 1990; van Veller Brooks, Popper, 1962), susceptible logical positivism Creath, Innovative rigorous syntheses much need. relevant, must reach audience: only social context changing imperative scientific society (Lenton Latour, address several diversifying board making explicit commitments diversity, inclusion 2). current Editorial Board dynamic nature rapidly expanding intend become true reviewers whom work, colleagues outside historical By being outward looking, plan build impressive legacy attract ground-breaking help define field. maintaining respected position literature, emphasizing findings media, seek collective expertise biogeography—its multi-faceted biologic, geographical coupled nature; empiricism rich foundations—and broader general public. In set out legacy, imagining future. introduce logo renewing 3). book-end reflection Alfred Russel Wallace, his 200th birthday 08th January 2023, Ali Heaney (2022) celebration 60th anniversary MacArthur Wilson (1963) via special Also contributions career (Carvalho Vasconcelos Windsor Dawson 2023), Perspectives senior asked inspiration aforementioned ‘top 50’ collections scene future years. solicited New Techniques Future small ongoing developments. realize mark initiative It self-evident cannot understand changed geographically biased, currently begin compiling conducted countries employed at institutions those countries. followed section intended elevate historically under-represented done researchers integral local matters. multi-year initiative, begins earliest stages teams conduct research, collection, analyses writing, publication. intention support can. predicting fraught hidden variables circumstances, extrapolate predict aspects next decades. basic truism humans exact change: climate change, destruction fragmentation, over-exploitation, pollution, urbanization more. Will chronic acute? magnitude nearer lower upper estimates? impact species, ecologies, evolution, frequencies? fundamentally questions. Biogeographers excelled describing inferring causes, reconstructing ranges. challenge, however, consequences anthropogenic sufficient precision circumvent damaging outcomes. predictions thousands mostly lack validations species' detail (or more). mechanisms underlying changes, sound mechanistic occurs based traits. Rigorous comparative frameworks shared different responses taxa typically lacking under-employed phylogeographical still single-species). kind needed—beyond geology genomics, beyond modelling, include behaviour, physiology, morphology, interactions, etc.—will radical advance. Making reliable intervene effectively require descriptive experimental scales relevant globally applicable theory. Rewilding perhaps poster-child intervention, challenges. Genetic rescue, restoration biotechnological solutions gene drives cusp implementation major requirements implications. There similar existential threats potential purview Underlying them statistical, ideally mechanistic, communities function world. welcomes tackling complete problems grounded Running impossible less interesting enjoyable large talented team academic editors Wiley staff; thank you all. chief Crid Fraser, Rosie Gillespie, Holger Kreft, Christine Meynard, Jon Sadler Damaris Zurell, provided invaluable 3 initiatives. MND deeply grateful Rob Whittaker's Peter Linder's collegiality art editing comments earlier manuscript. Genevieve Horne, Emily Davies, Helen Pedersen Maggie Donnelly unwavering Wiley; Chappell technical assistance; Alex Hartnett, Alice Kallaway, Mirnalini Paramasivam, Subalakshmi Sakthivel, Salman Afroze Jordan Taylor professionalism dispositions office smoothly possible; Hoshia Rose Carmen Sherry improving production. Particular thanks bringing initiatives fruition. big Albert Lee, CS designer Wiley, great patience designing logo. no conflicts interest perceived dint Biogeography. All used generate figures presented herein deposited Dryad https://doi.org/10.5061/dryad.p5hqbzkst. Appendix S1. Please note: publisher responsible functionality supporting information supplied authors. Any queries (other missing content) directed corresponding author article.