Call for Papers for Special Issue from Journal of King Saud University: Science

Background

Estimating the abundance is notoriously difficult. Researchers have developed a variety of techniques, used on many species and in many environments, with varying success. In recent years, there has been a steady increase in the range of applicability of methods, providing more reliable estimation of population abundance, and hence allowing better management of wild animal populations.

Some of the recent developments employ purpose-built statistical tools and software to cater for chance errors in sampling procedures. Others use more conventional yet effective methods well suited to particular habitat conditions and demands of the species. Some depend upon indirect indicators of population abundance. Modern molecular non-invasive techniques of population sampling provide another approach of estimating abundance that may be both reliable and practical.

The strengths and limitations of different protocols affect their efficacy in different habitats. Arid environments provide flexibility in the use of some methods, but there are issues associated with the vastness of arid lands, patchiness of suitable habitats, low productivity, and low density of biological populations.

The special issue of JKSUS will focus on highlighting abundance/estimation techniques successfully employed in arid areas for plant and animal populations.

Scope

This special issue seeks to capture some of the ground-breaking research and creative practice of surveying biological populations in arid regions to make these readily available to researchers, conservationist or wildlife resource managers for use in designing surveys and managing biological populations. By attracting original contributions, we also hope to generate debate around these issues, thus helping to understand the various procedures, techniques, software, tools and technology used in abundance estimation in dry environments.

In addition to research focusing on developing new methodology for estimating the size of biological populations, articles addressing limitations and potential of various techniques, and those reporting the experiences of authors applying methods to specific populations will be considered. The following themes across the domain of biological conservation are particularly encouraged:

• Case studies

• Development of new methods

• Methodologies from the perspective of limitations and potential

• Survey design and field methods

• New technology and software

• Contributions of abundance estimation to ensure sustainability or population recovery

This list is indicative rather than exhaustive. Interested authors are encouraged to contact the Guest Editors with additional suggestions within the domain of this broad research area.

Journal of King Saud University: Science accepts “Full Length Original Research, Review Articles, Short Communications and Letters to Editors” in the special issue.

Submission

All papers submitted for consideration in the special issue will be subjected to blind peer review by relevant academics and researchers.

• Closing date for submissions: October 1, 2014

• Peer review done: No later than February 1, 2015

• Revisions done: No later than March 1, 2015

• Notification of acceptance: No later than April 1, 2015

• Manuscripts finally accepted: No later than May 1, 2015

• Galley proof approved by authors: No later than May 15, 2015

• Publication date: July 1, 2015

Submissions to the special issue are made using Elsevier Editorial System (EES), the online manuscript submission and tracking system.

Registration and access are available at:

For detailed ‘Author Guidelines’ and further information on the journal, please click here. http://www.elsevier.com/locate/inca/722784/authorinstructions

Any questions?

• If you have any questions, please contact:

• Prof. Dr. Afsar Mian: (afsarmianpk@yahoo.com)

• Dr. Jeff Laake: (jeff laake@noaa.gov)

• Prof. Steve Buckland: (steve@st-andrews.ac.uk)

• For submission related queries and other related assistance:

• Dr. Rizwan Irshad: (rirshad@ksu.edu.sa)