Ten simple rules to bridge ecology and palaeoecology by publishing outside palaeo-ecological journals

Abstract

Due to a specialised methodology, palaeoecology is often regarded as a separate field from ecology even though it is essential to understand long-term ecological processes that have shaped ecosystems that ecologists study and manage. Even though advances in ecological modelling, sample dating, and proxy-based reconstructions have enabled direct comparison of palaeoecological data with neo-ecological data, most of the scientific knowledge derived from palaeoecological studies remains siloed. We have surveyed a group of palaeo-researchers with experience in crossing the divide between palaeoecology and neo-ecology, with the goal to provide a set of Ten Simple Rules to publish your palaeo-ecological research in non-palaeo journals. Our ten rules are divided into the preparation phase, writing phase, and finalising phase when the article is submitted to the target journal. These rules provide a suite of strategies, including improved and early-on networking and effective collaborations, transmitting results in a more efficient and cross-disciplinary manner, and integrating concepts and methodologies that appeal to ecologists and a wider readership. Following these Ten Simple Rules can help palaeoecologists ensure that their work is disseminated and understood by mainstream ecological scientists. Although this article shows primarily examples of how palaeoecological studies were published in journals for a broader audience, the rules would apply to anyone who aims to publish outside specialised journals.