TRENDS IN THE JOURNAL-OF-ANIMAL-ECOLOGY - 1932-92

1. Thirteen volumes of the Journal of Animal Ecology, starting in 1932 and ending in 1992, were analysed for trends in their contents. 2. 'C ountry of origin' was divided into four categories: UK, Europe, N. Ame rica and Other. There has been a significant decline in the number of UK papers and a corresponding increase in European and American papers . 3. 'Biomes' were divided into three categories: Terrestrial, Freshwa ter and Marine. The journal has been dominated by terrestrial papers, with no significant change in proportions between 1932 and 1992. 4. 'S pecies used' were divided into five categories: Mammal, Bird, Other ve rtebrate, Insect and Other invertebrate. Bird and insect papers have a lways been most frequent, with none of the species categories changing significantly between 1932 and 1992. 5. 'Statistical analysis' was di vided into three categories: None, Simple and Complex. Papers with no statistical analysis have declined to zero over this period, with a co rresponding increase in the other two categories. 6. 'Type of study' w as divided into four categories: Theoretical, Laboratory, Field (exp.) and Field (obs.). The journal has always been dominated by field obse rvation papers, although they have declined significantly from 1932. T here has been a significant rise in theoretical and field experimental papers. 7. 'Level of study' was divided into three categories: Indivi dual, Population and Community. During the life of the journal, commun ity papers have declined while individual studies have increased. 8. ' Number of species in population studies' was divided into three catego ries: One, Two and Greater than two. Single species studies have decli ned while the other two categories have increased. 9. 'Proposed main c ause of population dynamics' was divided into four categories: Herbivo ry, Predation, Competition and Abiotic. During the first 20 years abio tic explanations predominated but declined to zero by 1992. Competitio n, as an explanation, has increased in frequency. Herbivory, as an exp lanation, has always been remarkably infrequent (4%).