Before you submit. Check that your manuscript fits the Aims & Scope, has not been published or submitted elsewhere, and has been approved by all co-authors.

Article types and length

Type	Length (excluding references)	Abstract
Original Research Article	3,000–8,000 words	Structured, up to 300 words
Review Article	4,000–10,000 words	Unstructured, up to 300 words
Short Communication	1,500–3,000 words	Up to 200 words
Case Study	2,000–5,000 words	Up to 250 words
Technical Note	1,500–3,000 words	Up to 200 words

File format. Submit the manuscript as a Microsoft Word file (.doc or .docx), Times New Roman 12 pt, 1.5 line spacing, 2.5 cm margins, with page and line numbers.

Title page (uploaded as a separate file to keep review anonymous):

• Full title
• Names, affiliations and ORCID iDs of all authors
• Corresponding author's email and phone
• Funding statement, conflict-of-interest statement and author contributions

Anonymised manuscript (no author names or affiliations anywhere in the file or its properties):

1. Title
2. Abstract (for research articles: Background, Methods, Results, Conclusion)
3. 4–6 keywords
4. Introduction
5. Materials and Methods
6. Results
7. Discussion
8. Conclusion
9. References

Tables and figures. Number them in order of mention, give each a self-explanatory caption, and supply figures at a minimum of 300 dpi. Obtain written permission for any figure taken from another source.

Units and names. Use SI units. Give scientific names of plants, animals and microorganisms in italics with the authority at first mention.

References. Use APA 7th edition. Every in-text citation must appear in the reference list and every listed reference must be cited. Include DOIs where available.

Research ethics. Studies involving animals or human participants must state the approving ethics committee and approval number. Field studies on protected land or species must state the permits obtained.

Data availability. Include a statement saying where the data supporting the results can be found, or why they cannot be shared.

Use of AI tools. Disclose any use of generative AI tools in writing, analysis or images, in the Methods or Acknowledgements. AI tools cannot be listed as authors, and authors remain responsible for all content.

Plagiarism check. All manuscripts are screened with Turnitin before review. See the Plagiarism Policy for the limits applied.

How to submit. Submit through the online submission system (Submit Manuscript in the menu) or by email to journal email. Manuscripts received by email are entered into the submission system on the day they arrive, so every paper has a recorded submission date.

After acceptance. The corresponding author signs the Publication Licensing Agreement, pays the article processing charge (if applicable) and checks the proofs within 3 working days.