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Environmental science

The Royal Society journals Philosophical Transactions B, Proceedings B, Biology Letters and Royal Society Open Science publish research articles, reviews and theme issues in all areas of environmental science with a particular focus on climate change, biodiversity and conservation.

Georgina Mace review

In 2024, Proceedings B decided to extend its review portfolio further by introducing a new commissioned review in conservation biology. The aim of the 'Georgina Mace review' is to annually showcase current topics and progress in conservation biology, which will be of general interest to the diverse readership of Proceedings B and is of relevance to policy makers and those tasked with the stewardship of natural resources.

E.J. Milner-Gulland was invited to write the inaugural review – What is a unit of nature? Measurement challenges in the emerging biodiversity credit market. EJ is a Professor of Biodiversity at the University of Oxford and is interested in understanding how social, ecological and behavioural factors interact to affect key issues in conservation, and in improving the effectiveness of conservation interventions. The review was published on 11 Dec 24 along with an accompanying blog post. Both showcase and celebrate the successes of Georgina Mace as well as highlighting the content of the review and providing more information about the authors of the paper. 

Seminars

Our online author seminar collection features research published in Royal Society journals including articles related to environmental science. Each talk is associated with a recent paper or theme issue, selected by the journal's editors as being particularly innovative or having had significant recent impact. Subscribe for updates.

 

Latest research

Looking for exciting work in environmental science? Discover top research published by us in recent years.

Phil Trans B Volume 379 Issue 1904 Proceedings B Volume 290 Issue 1996 Biology Letters Volume 20 Issue 4

Philosophical Transactions B theme issues

Article collections

Take a look at the special collections featured below or browse all environmental science articles published across the Royal Society journals.

Dr. Camilla Soravia on the effect of high temperatures on the cognitive abilities of the Southern pied babbler.
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Dr Colleen Miller on how light pollution can impact complex communities across the globe.
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Dr Anne Pisor on  the solutions people use to deal with climate change, and how understanding these solutions enables better support to be provided to communities as they respond.
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Royal Society journal articles are frequently mentioned in media outlets around the world. Explore environmental science articles that made the news.

  • Tick population in Scotland could almost double due to climate change via Independent
  • Did a marine heatwave cause 7,000 humpback whales to starve to death? via Guardian
  • Alpine ibex are becoming more nocturnal as the climate gets hotter via New Scientist
  • A tough neighbourhood’: how Gulf scientists are reaching across political divides to help coral reefs via Guardian

A collection of Royal Society Biographical Memoirs of Fellows of the Royal Society celebrates the scientists who made advancements in climate and sustainability science from the mid-20th century onwards.

The Royal Society has been publishing scientific articles for over 350 years. Browse the Royal Society Journals Archive for a fascinating insight into the development of science and discover some of the key moments in scientific history.

Proceedings B is the Royal Society’s flagship biological research journal, accepting original articles and reviews of outstanding scientific importance and broad general interest. The main criteria for acceptance are that a study is novel and has general significance to biologists. Articles published cover the breadth of the biological sciences; many but not all articles have direct relevance to organisms and the environments in which they live. 

Biology Letters is an online Royal Society journal that publishes short, high-quality, peer-reviewed articles, reviews and opinion pieces from across the biological sciences. The scope is vast - publishing high-quality research in any area of the biological sciences. However, we have particular strengths in the biology, evolution and ecology of whole organisms. 

Philosophical Transactions B publishes high quality theme issues on topics of current importance and general interest within the life sciences, guest-edited by leading authorities and comprising new research, reviews and opinions from prominent researchers. Each issue aims to create an original and authoritative synthesis, often bridging traditional disciplines, which showcases current developments and provides a foundation for future research, applications and policy decisions. 

Royal Society Open Science is an open access journal publishing high-quality original research on the basis of objective peer-review. The journal covers the entire range of science and mathematics and allows the Society to publish all the high-quality work it receives without the usual restrictions on scope, length or impact. It welcomes the submission of all high-quality science including articles which may usually be difficult to publish elsewhere, for example, replications or those that include negative findings.

Related content

Climate change and biodiversity

Human activities are changing the climate. Science can help us understand what we are doing to habitats and the climate, but also find solutions.

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