More than 51,000 lichen-related articles were published up to 2019, about 4.7% (over 2400) of which were published in The Lichenologist; about half of these were published under the senior editorship of Peter Crittenden, who had a 20-year tenure at the journal, from 2000 to 2020.[2]
History
The first issue of The Lichenologist was published in November 1958. It followed the establishment of the British Lichen Society on 1 February 1958.[3] In its first editorial, the primary objectives of the journal were outlined, which focussed on both the enhancement of lichenological study and the importance of nature conservation. The journal sought to address the scarcity of contemporary literature on British lichen taxonomy by providing detailed articles to assist botanists in identifying local species. Additionally, it aimed to foster contributions on the distribution and ecology of lichens in Britain, areas that were then underexplored. Emphasising the balance between research and the ecological impact of specimen collection, The Lichenologist advocated for careful, responsible study practices to avoid harming these slow-growing organisms.[4]
In its early years, the journal experimented with different cover designs before settling on a mint green cover in 1959, which remained in use until 2000. The journal also transitioned from irregularly published volumes to annual volumes, with volume 6 in 1974 marking the start of consecutively numbered volumes synchronised with calendar years.[5]
Editorial leadership
The journal has had several distinguished senior editors throughout its history:[6]
During Crittenden's tenure as senior editor from 2000 to 2019, The Lichenologist underwent several significant changes that modernised and enhanced the journal's impact. In 2001, Crittenden initiated a comprehensive overhaul of the journal's layout and printing, introducing a larger page size and a new cover design that departed from the long-standing mint green cover used since 1959. This visual refresh coincided with efforts to broaden the journal's content and appeal.[7]
Crittenden introduced thematic issues focusing on specific topics within lichenology, which helped to consolidate research in particular areas and increase reader engagement. He also encouraged the submission of longer, more comprehensive papers, allowing for more in-depth treatments of complex subjects. This shift towards more substantial contributions was reflected in an increase in the average number of pages per paper over the years.[8]
The journal also adapted to changes in scientific publishing practices under Crittenden's leadership. The Lichenologist implemented effective electronic publication, keeping pace with the digital transformation of academic publishing. In response to evolving nomenclatural requirements, the journal introduced the obligate registration of new fungal names, ensuring that taxonomic contributions met the latest standards in the field.[9]
Perhaps one of the most notable changes came in 2016 when Crittenden implemented a policy to reject "single naked species descriptions". This decision encouraged authors to contextualise new species descriptions within broader taxonomic or ecological frameworks, thereby increasing the overall impact and usefulness of such contributions. Despite initial concerns, this policy change did not decrease the number of new species described in the journal; instead, it led to more comprehensive and valuable taxonomic papers.[10]
Impact and output
The Lichenologist received its first impact factor in 1999. Under Crittenden's editorship, the impact factor increased from around 0.8–1.0 in the early 2000s to over 1.5 in recent years.[10]
The journal's output has been substantial. A total of 1256 papers were published by the journal between 1958 and 1999, and 1197 papers were published between 2000 and 2019. More than 2000 new lichen species were described between 2000 and 2019, representing 69% of all new species described in the journal since its inception.[7]
Content and scope
The Lichenologist covers a wide range of topics in lichenology, including taxonomy, systematics, ecology, biogeography, and conservation. The journal has a global scope, with contributions from authors worldwide and studies covering diverse geographical regions.[11] In recent years, the journal has collaborated with The Bryologist to increase the quality of both publications and enhance their impact in the field of lichenology.[8]
^Hawksworth, D.L.; Seaward, M.R.D. (1977). Lichenology in the British Isles, 1568–1975: An Historical and Biographical Survey. Richmond: The Richmond Publishing Company. p. 35.
