Conservation: Seven New Journal Sections Established

In January 2021, the new journal Conservation was launched, creating a platform for the publication of comprehensive reviews, original research articles, communications, case reports, brief reports, commentaries, and other perspectives related to the biological, sociological, ethical, economic, methodological, and other transdisciplinary dimensions of conservation [1]. As seen in the high and growing number of submissions, the numerous high-quality contributions that have been published so far, and its receipt of a first Impact Factor of 1.9 (Web of Science), a strong rating within the field, the journal has achieved notable success as a forum for the international community of conservation biologists.

Conservation (ISSN 2673-7159) was founded as a multidisciplinary, scholarly, open-access electronic journal that provides an advanced forum for both empirical and theoretical research with significant implications for conservation in the natural and social sciences. In light of the journal’s remarkable growth in the field of conservation biology research, the editorial team has sought to make changes to continue the enhancement of its international standing. Therefore, we are delighted to announce the launch of seven new Sections in the journal, each dedicated to advancing a specific frontier within our interdisciplinary field. These Sections collectively explore the ecological, genetic, and habitat-based strategies essential for sustaining life on Earth, offering a comprehensive framework for understanding and advancing conservation science across terrestrial, aquatic, and molecular realms.

The new Sections are as follows:

• Plant Conservation
• Forest Conservation
• Animal Conservation
• Marine Conservation
• Conservation Genetics and Genomics
• Insect Conservation
• Heritage Conservation and Restoration

Each Section has been designed with a clear purpose: to support high-quality research and promote discussion across connected fields. Below, we provide a brief overview of their thematic focus.

Plant Conservation: The Plant Conservation Section aims to advance scientific knowledge and practical actions for the preservation, restoration, and sustainable use of plant diversity worldwide. It focuses on understanding threats to wild plant populations, from habitat loss to climate change, and developing effective conservation strategies, including in situ and ex situ methods, policy integration, and community engagement, to prevent extinctions and maintain resilient plant communities.

Forest Conservation: The Forest Conservation Section aims to advance scientific understanding and practical solutions for the protection, restoration, and sustainable management of forest ecosystems worldwide. It focuses on preserving biodiversity, maintaining ecosystem services, mitigating deforestation and degradation, addressing climate change impacts, and integrating socio-economic dimensions to foster resilient forests and human well-being.

Animal Conservation: The Animal Conservation Section is dedicated to advancing the scientific understanding and practice of conserving animal biodiversity across species, populations, communities, and ecosystems. This multidisciplinary Section aims to provide a platform for empirical and theoretical research that contributes to the protection and restoration of animal species and their habitats, with a strong emphasis on rigorous quantitative studies and actionable conservation outcomes. Submissions that bridge disciplinary boundaries and address the complex interplay of ecological, genetic, evolutionary, and socio-economic factors in animal conservation are particularly encouraged.

Marine Conservation: The Marine Conservation Section is dedicated to the multidisciplinary science of protecting and preserving ecosystems in oceans and seas. To this end, the Section aims to publish both fundamental and applied research on the management of marine resources, with particular encouragement for manuscripts that span multiple marine systems, species, and/or geographical locations and that adopt a forward-looking perspective. Specifically, we welcome submissions from the social, ecological, environmental, and engineering sciences, as well as the humanities, that focus on critical challenges in the conservation and restoration of marine species, habitats, and ecosystems.

Conservation Genetics and Genomics: The Conservation Genetics and Genomics Section aims to advance the application of genetic and genomic principles, tools, and data to the preservation and management of biodiversity. Recognizing that genetic diversity is a fundamental component of biological diversity, this Section seeks to bridge the gap between cutting-edge molecular technologies and practical conservation action. It provides a platform for research that informs species recovery, population management, habitat restoration, and adaptive potential in the face of global environmental change.

Insect Conservation: The Insect Conservation Section aims to advance the science, practice, and policy of conserving insect diversity worldwide. Recognizing insects as fundamental components of terrestrial and freshwater ecosystems, this Section seeks to address the alarming global declines in insect populations, promote evidence-based conservation strategies, and foster interdisciplinary collaboration among researchers, practitioners, policymakers, and land managers.

Heritage Conservation and Restoration: The Heritage Conservation and Restoration Section aims to advance the scientific understanding, technical practice, and sustainable management of all forms of heritage—including cultural, built, archaeological, natural, geological, and tourism-related heritage. The Section seeks to bridge the gap between traditional conservation methods and innovative, interdisciplinary approaches that address contemporary threats such as climate change, environmental degradation, urbanization, and human activities. By fostering integrated research across heritage science, engineering, ecology, and social sustainability, the Section aspires to contribute to the long-term protection, restoration, and adaptive reuse of heritage resources for future generations.

These seven specialized Sections will not only advance disciplinary knowledge but also foster the cross-cutting collaboration essential for addressing pressing global challenges. We warmly invite scholars to contribute to and engage with these Sections, as collective effort remains the cornerstone of effective conservation action in this era of rapid environmental change.