International Journal of Limnology

International Journal of Limnology

International Journal of Limnology – About

Open Access & Peer-Reviewed

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About the International Journal of Limnology

Advancing the science of inland aquatic systems through rigorous peer-reviewed scholarship that connects limnological research with freshwater ecology, water resource management, and global sustainability.

Exploring Freshwater Ecosystems Through Evidence-Based Science

The International Journal of Limnology (IJLI) (ISSN 2691-3208) is an open access, peer-reviewed journal dedicated to advancing understanding of freshwater systems worldwide. As a trusted platform for limnological research, IJLI publishes original investigations, comprehensive reviews, and methodological innovations that illuminate the physical, chemical, and biological processes governing lakes, rivers, wetlands, and reservoirs.

Our interdisciplinary community spans aquatic ecologists, biogeochemists, hydrologists, environmental scientists, and water resource managers who rely on IJLI for credible, actionable insights. From watershed-scale nutrient dynamics to microbial community structure, from climate-driven hydrological shifts to applied restoration frameworks, IJLI bridges fundamental discovery with practical solutions for freshwater stewardship.

Operating under Creative Commons Attribution (CC BY 4.0), IJLI ensures that limnological knowledge reaches researchers, educators, policy makers, and conservation practitioners without barriers - accelerating global capacity to protect and manage Earth's vital freshwater resources.

30 Days Submission-to-Publication Median
14 Days Average Review Turnaround
100% Open Access Articles
Global Author & Reader Network
Why Limnologists Choose IJLI

Freshwater ecosystems face unprecedented pressures from climate change, eutrophication, invasive species, and land use intensification. IJLI provides a scholarly home for research that clarifies these challenges and identifies evidence-based pathways toward resilience. Our editorial board - comprising experts in aquatic ecology, hydrobiology, biogeochemical cycling, and environmental policy - curates submissions that deliver scientific rigor, methodological transparency, and translational relevance.

Each manuscript undergoes thorough peer review emphasizing data quality, statistical robustness, and ecological context. Accepted articles are enhanced with structured abstracts, visual summaries, and discoverability metadata to maximize impact across academic, governmental, and conservation audiences.

Editorial Commitment: IJLI aligns with COPE standards and our editorial policies to ensure ethical conduct, data integrity, and transparent review processes that uphold the credibility of limnological scholarship.
Research Scope & Thematic Priorities

IJLI welcomes original research, systematic reviews, case studies, and methodological advances that deepen understanding of freshwater systems. Our scope reflects the multidisciplinary nature of modern limnology, integrating ecology, hydrology, chemistry, and social science to address complex aquatic challenges.

Aquatic Ecology & Biodiversity

Phytoplankton, zooplankton, benthic invertebrates, fish communities, macrophyte dynamics, trophic interactions, and biodiversity assessments.

Biogeochemical Cycles

Nutrient dynamics (nitrogen, phosphorus), carbon cycling, sediment-water interactions, redox processes, and elemental fluxes in aquatic systems.

Water Quality & Pollution

Eutrophication, harmful algal blooms, contaminant fate and transport, heavy metals, microplastics, and emerging pollutants in freshwater.

Hydrological Processes

Lake and river hydrology, water balance, flow regimes, groundwater-surface water interactions, and hydrological modeling.

Climate Change Impacts

Temperature effects, stratification dynamics, extreme events, phenological shifts, and long-term monitoring of climate-driven changes.

Restoration & Management

Lake and river restoration, adaptive management, ecosystem services valuation, policy frameworks, and stakeholder engagement.

Wetlands & Floodplains

Wetland ecology, floodplain dynamics, carbon sequestration, habitat connectivity, and hydrological regulation.

Paleolimnology & Historical Ecology

Sediment core analysis, historical reconstructions, long-term ecosystem trajectories, and baseline condition assessments.

Remote Sensing & Modeling

Satellite-based monitoring, GIS applications, ecological modeling, predictive frameworks, and data integration tools.

Submission Process & Author Support

IJLI's submission workflow is designed to support research teams navigating manuscript preparation, peer review, and publication. Authors can submit through our online portal or via email to [email protected]. Our editorial team acknowledges submissions within 72 hours and maintains transparent communication throughout the review cycle.

Submission Guidelines:
  • Review IJLI's Aims & Scope and Instructions for Authors to ensure alignment.
  • Prepare manuscripts following standard formatting (title, abstract, keywords, introduction, methods, results, discussion, references).
  • Include a cover letter summarizing novelty, methodological strengths, and relevance to freshwater science.
  • Document ethical approvals, data accessibility, and conflict of interest disclosures.
  • Submit supplementary materials (datasets, supporting figures, video abstracts) to enhance reproducibility.

Peer review typically takes 14 days, with decisions communicated alongside constructive reviewer feedback. Authors are encouraged to address comments thoroughly in revision letters. For language support, IJLI offers a language editing service to ensure clarity and precision.

Open Access & Article Processing

IJLI publishes all content under Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International (CC BY 4.0), granting authors copyright retention while enabling unrestricted reuse with proper attribution. This licensing model supports teaching, policy integration, and follow-on research without permission barriers.

Article processing charges (APCs) apply only after acceptance to cover editorial operations, peer review management, and production services. Full pricing details, institutional agreements, and waiver eligibility are available on the APC information page. Researchers from resource-limited settings are encouraged to inquire about discretionary support.

Advantages of Publishing in IJLI
  • Rapid publication timeline with efficient peer review and production workflows
  • Global visibility through indexing in specialized and multidisciplinary databases
  • Expert editorial guidance from limnologists, aquatic ecologists, and hydrologists
  • Open access dissemination maximizing reach to practitioners and policy makers
  • High-quality peer review delivering constructive, science-focused feedback
  • Data sharing encouragement to promote reproducibility and meta-analyses
  • Post-publication promotion via social media, newsletters, and thematic collections
Editorial Leadership

Editorial Board

International Panel of Freshwater Science Experts

IJLI's editorial board comprises leading authorities in limnology, aquatic ecology, biogeochemistry, hydrology, and environmental management. Board members facilitate rigorous peer review, uphold ethical standards, and ensure that published research meets the highest benchmarks for scientific integrity. Their collective expertise spans temperate and tropical systems, lentic and lotic environments, and fundamental to applied research paradigms.

Explore the full editorial board roster and areas of expertise at the IJLI Editorial Board page.

Indexing & Discoverability

IJLI articles are indexed across platforms that serve limnologists, ecologists, hydrologists, and environmental scientists, ensuring broad discoverability and citation potential.

  • Google Scholar, Semantic Scholar, and academic search engines for interdisciplinary reach
  • ResearchBib, SciSpace, Scilit, and subject-specific aggregators
  • DOI registration via Crossref for permanent citation tracking
  • Integration with ORCID, ResearchGate, and Academia.edu for researcher profile enhancement

Authors can amplify their work through IJLI's Call for Papers initiatives, which spotlight emerging research priorities such as climate adaptation, invasive species management, and water quality monitoring innovations.

Community Testimonials

Researchers and reviewers consistently recognize IJLI's commitment to timely publication, constructive feedback, and editorial professionalism.

"IJLI provided exceptionally fast review turnaround while maintaining rigorous peer feedback. The editorial team's responsiveness and encouragement make it an ideal venue for early-career freshwater scientists."
Dr. Fatih Özçelik
"Open Access Pub delivered the most rapid and helpful publishing service I have experienced. IJLI's efficient workflow allowed our research to reach practitioners and policy makers without delay."
Prof. Kevin Kendall
University of Birmingham, United Kingdom
Special Issues & Collaborative Opportunities

IJLI welcomes proposals for thematic special issues that address pressing limnological challenges or synthesize knowledge across subfields. Guest editors can submit proposals via the special issue proposal portal. Active calls for contributions are available through the special issue submission page.

Researchers can stay informed about new publications through the current issue or explore past scholarship in the previous issues archive.

Advance Freshwater Science with IJLI

Whether you investigate nutrient cycling, climate impacts, ecological restoration, or hydrological processes, IJLI provides a trusted platform for rigorous, impactful scholarship. Join a global community dedicated to understanding and protecting Earth's freshwater ecosystems.

Contact IJLI: For inquiries about manuscript suitability, special issue proposals, or editorial policies, contact [email protected]. Our editorial team is committed to supporting limnological research that advances freshwater science and sustainability.