Submissions

The entire manuscript (incl. figures and tables) should be sent electronically (by e-mail) in PDF format (one printable and unprotected file with all fonts included) along with the completed Submission form directly to the editor whose area of expertise covers the subject of the paper. For details please select 'SUBMISSIONS' from the left-hand-side menu.

Revised manuscripts

When sending a finalised version of a revised manuscript, use short, meaningful filenames always ending in appropriate extensions added by the programme with which files have been created. Save word-processor files in RTF (.rtf) or MSWord .doc format. Acceptable graphic file formats are listed below in the Figures section and in the short instructions (PDF format) that can be download from HERE. As a reference, either PDF file of an entire article or respective hardcopies should also be sent. Please note that there is a charge for printing illustrations in colour (please contact the editorial office at sekj[at]helsinki.fi for details and current rates).

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Use either British or American English consistently throughout the text (language settings of your word processing programme should reflect the langauge of the article). Write in a clear style. Avoid the use of the passive voice. The pronouns I (we), me (us), and my (our) should preferably be used and thus reflect the responsibility of the author(s) towards the study. The authors bear full responsibility for the language quality. If English is not your mother tongue, make sure that the manuscript is checked by a native English speaker, preferably familiar with the nomenclature used. All manuscripts will be thoroughly checked by someone proficient in English, and returned for further corrections if found to be linguistically inadequate.

Certain elements of the manuscript layout (e.g. heading numbers) that are requested here but not present in the printed articles are, however, needed to facilitate the editing process.

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Tenses [back to the top]

In scientific writing, only two tenses are normally used: present and past (simple). So-called `perfect tenses' (e.g. present perfect) should be avoided. Thus, there are the following `tense' rules that should be observed:

• Established knowledge (previous results) should be given in the present tense;
• Description of methods and results in the current paper should be in the past (simple) tense;
• Presentation (e.g. 'Fig. 1 shows the studied plant') is given in the present tense;
• Attributions (e.g. Jones (1995) reported that ...) are given in the past tense.

Usage of a dash (hyphen, en-dash and em-dash)

• A hyphen (the shortest "-") used for example in hyphenation and compound words,
• An en-dash ("–"; indicated in a manuscript with two hyphens "- -") used chiefly as a minus in subtraction (5 – 2 same as five minus two; NOTE: spaces before and after the dash) or in ranges of values or dates (2–5 same as from two to five; NOTE: no spaces before and after the dash),
• An em-dash (the longest "—"; indicated in a manuscript with three hyphens "- - -") chiefly used for the separation of an explanatory and digressive element of a sentence or in references.

Numbers [back to the top]

• Always use decimal points, not commas.
• Always use leading zeros in decimal fractions.
• In long numerals (five and more digits), the digits are marked off in groups of three by spaces (not commas!), starting from the left, e.g., 15 369.
• Numbers from 1 to 10 (also ordinals) in a text must be written out (not 5 but five).
• Numbers are never italicised.

Symbols [back to the top]

• One-letter symbols (normal, in subscript or superscript) representing numerical values (mathematical or statistical variables) must always be italicised.
• Multi-letter symbols (normal, in subscript or superscript) representing numerical values (mathematical or statistical variables) are never italicised.
• Vectors are set in boldface italic.
• Matrices are set in boldface but not italics.
• Usage of multiplication symbols is not recommended.
• Other symbols (abbreviations) are not italicised.
• Check that the same symbol does not have multiple meanings (e.g., P = phosphorus and P = significance level or N = nitrogen and N = amount of samples or repetitions).
• Improper typesetting of symbols may result in ambiguities misinterpretations.

Statistics [back to the top]

• The rationale behind the testing should always be presented and comparisons clearly identified.
  
• It should be proven that the data can be tested with the tests used (e.g. normality should be tested).
  
• If some data were excluded from the analyses it should be explained why.
  
• Sample sizes (n) should always be given.
  
• Numbers after a ‘±’ sign should be identified (e.g. SE, SD or CI).
  
• When reporting results of statistical testing please give names of tests used, their symbols and numerical outcomes, degrees of freedom (commonly in superscript to a test symbol) and probability levels at which tested differences can be considered significant. These levels should preferably be given as exact p values rather than p < 0.001, p < 0.01, p < 0.05. Merely labelling differences as significant or non-significant (including such labels as ns, < 0.05, *, etc.) without indicating test results and sample sizes is not acceptable. For example: one-way ANOVA: F_2,44 = 1.82, p = 0.170 or two-way ANOVA main effect of species: F_1,15 = 108.6, p < 0.0001.

Italicisation [back to the top]

• Latin names of genera and lower taxa (e.g., Salmo trutta).
• Words which are originally not English (e.g., in vitro).
• One-letter symbols expressing numerical or statistical values in the text and equations (e.g., p, n, U-test, t-test, r).

Abbreviations and acronyms [back to the top]

• Each abbreviated word must end in a full stop (e.g., Professor = Prof., Volume = Vol. species nova = sp. nov.).
• There is no punctuation used in acronyms unless the English grammar rules dictate otherwise.

Units [back to the top]

• Only units conforming with the SI system are to be used (with some exceptions e.g., 1 um not 10^--6 m).
• In composite units, negative superscripts should be used instead of a division (e.g., 30 m s^--1 not 30 m/s).
• If units follow axes titles in figures or tables, they should be given in parentheses '()' NOT brackets '[]' or after commas.

Dates [back to the top]

• Dates should be written according to the following format: day.month.year.
• Months should be written in full (e.g., January), abbreviated (e.g., Jan.) or expressed with roman numerals (January "I", February "II" and so on).
• Years should never be abbreviated (eg. 2003 not 03).

Time [back to the top]

• The 24-hour system should be used exclusively. The day begins at midnight, denoted as 00:00 (0000 hrs), and ends at 23:59 (2359 hrs).

Species names [back to the top]

• Since papers published in Boreal Environment Research do not concern animal or plant taxonomy, Latin names of species should be given without authors' names.

Geographic nomenclature [back to the top]

• Always use internationally recognised and existing names. In questionable cases, refer to the Times Atlas of the World or Merriam-Webster's Geographic Dictionary to make sure that a name you intend to use is listed in their indexes, and its spelling is correct. Usage of coordinates (latitude and longitude) is strongly recommended.

Text [back to the top]

• Use only NORMAL style settings throughout the entire manuscript (default font size 12 points, no indentation, no boldface, no capitalisation, left justified, without multiple spaces or tabulators, or other unusual formatting).
• Remove section and page breaks from the text.
• Do not forget to number headings as described below.
• Use empty lines to separate sections, paragraphs and headings from each other.
• Do not use boldface (only symbols of vectors, matrices and tensors can be set in boldface).
• Use a degree sign (`°'; ASCII 176) instead of the uppercase letter `o'.
• Use a `+/-' sign (ASCII 177) instead of an underlined `+'.
• Use Symbol font (not equation editor) for Greek letters.
• Graphics (except for equations) must not be placed within the text file.
• Refer to tables and figures parenthetically.
• A blank line should be used to separate headings, sections and paragraphs from the text that follows.
• Please check that the printed version is the same as the one on the diskette.
• Title [back to the top]: Never in capital letters or boldface, not centred; short version of the title (max. 50 letters should also be provided.
• Author [back to the top]: First names in full (other initials, if any) and surnames (James T. Brown, not J. T. Brown) should be given.
• Address [back to the top]: As complete as possible. The sequence: surname, name and address, must be fully repeated for each author.
• Abstract [back to the top]: Should consist of only one paragraph of up to 150 words. References to literature are not allowed in abstracts.
• Headings [back to the top]
  • Chapter headings (Introduction, Material and methods, Results, Discussion and other headings) are numbered decimally starting with "1.". Abstract, References and Acknowledgements, are not numbered.
  • Sub-chapter headings must be numbered e.g.: "1.1.", "1.1.1.", and so on, depending on how many levels of sub-chapters you have in your article.
  • THE NUMBERING OF CHAPTERS AND SUB-CAPTERS SERVES ONLY EDITORIAL PURPOSES AND WILL NOT APPEAR IN PRINT, HENCE DO NOT REFER TO PARTS OF YOUR OWN ARTICLE USING THESE NUMBERS.
  • Important: Only the first letter of the first word of any heading is capitalised unless the English grammar rules dictate otherwise (not "Material and Methods" but "Material and methods").
• Appendices [back to the top]: If there is only one appendix it can be referred to in the text as 'Appendix' without the number. Otherwise, appendices must be numbered.
• Footnotes [back to the top]: They are allowed only in tables and exceptionally in text.
• Lists [back to the top]: Begin each item with three hyphens "- - -" at the beginning of the line followed by one tabulator. Each item always occupies a separate line or a paragraph e.g.:
  • - - - first item
  • - - - second item.
• Equations [back to the top]: Each equation occupies a separate line. Place an equation's number on the right-hand side e.g.: N = 0.3Wln(a + b) (1). Equations must be referred to as "Eq.", followed by the appropriate number.
• Tables [back to the top]
  • Tables prepared with programmes other than word processing applications (e.g. Excel, Corel) cannot be accepted.
  • All tables should be prepared with tabulators. However, if you prefer using the table tool of your word-processing programme, do not insert line breaks (¶) and/or preceding/trailing spaces inside cells (i.e. there can be only one line of text within a cell). New table rows should be created by adding new rows of table cells (even if some cells are left empty), not by hitting enter and creating a new lines within existing cells. CR symbols (¶) cannot be preset in any table cell. The number of cells in a table should equal the number of rows multiplied by the number of columns.
  • Tables should be comprehensible without reference to the main text.
  • All tables should be prepared as separate files or placed at the end of the text file. Do not place tables within the text.
  • A TABLE SHOULD NOT BE DIVIDED INTO SECTIONS IDENTIFIED WITH LETTERS. EACH SECTION OF SUCH A TABLE SHOULD BE PRESENTED A SEPARATE TABLE.
  • Vertical lines are not allowed.
  • Remember: Tables must fit on A4-sized page.
  • Remember: Tables must be referred to for the first time in the text in numerical order (e.g., the first reference to Table 2 cannot precede the first reference to Table 1).
  • Refer to tables parenthetically; e.g. '... (Table 1)'. 'Table 1 shows ...' type statements should always be avoided.
  • Check that all tables are referred to.
• Figures [back to the top]
  
  Submissions
  
  Include figures at the end of the PDF file after the text and tables (for details select 'SUBMISSIONS' from the left-hand-side menu).
  
  Revised manuscripts
  
  If illustrations have been prepared with a computer programme please select the format from the table below. The figures should be saved directly from the application(s) they have been created with (using 'Save As' option in 'File' menu of the programme), not converted after exporting to another application (e.g. Word).
  Please DO NOT SUBMIT FIGURES PLACED IN WORD/POWERPOINT DOCUMENTS. IF FIGURES NEED EDITING PLEASE CONTACT THE EDITORIAL OFFICE FOR DIRECTIONS; DO NOT EDIT FIGURES IN MSWORD OR POWERPOINT. BMP and GIF files are not aceptable.

  	PDF	EPS	WMF	TIFF	JPG (JPEG)	PCX	Programme's own format
  Computer generated figure	YES	YES	YES	NO	NO	NO	see below
  Adobe Illustrator	NO	YES	NO	NO	NO	NO	YES (.ai)
  Adobe Photoshop	NO	YES	NO	NO	NO	NO	YES (.psd)
  Corel (leave fonts as text)	NO	YES	YES	NO	NO	NO	YES (.cdr or .ai)
  SigmaPlot	NO	NO	YES	NO	NO	NO	NO
  Excel	NO	NO	NO	NO	NO	NO	YES (.xls)
  Photographs (digital or scanned, min. resolution 300 dpi)	NO	YES	NO	YES	YES	NO	NO
  Scanned drawings (min. resolution 1200 dpi)	NO	YES	NO	YES	NO	YES	NO

  • Figures should be comprehensible without reference to the main text.
  • Figures should be prepared exclusively with black-and-white or grey-scale settings unless they are meant to be printed in colour. Different colours may produce the same shade of grey when printed in black-and-white.
  • For preferred figure sizes please see pages of our journal.
  • Figures must withstand size reduction.
  • Figures, drawings and photographs must always be referred to as "Fig.", followed by a number.
  • IF YOU REFER TO FIGURES PUBLISHED ELSEWHERE, THE REFERENCE SHOULD BE FOLLOWED BY 'fig.' (note that the lowercase f should be used) e.g.: Turchin et al. 2003: fig. 3.
  • All captions should be submitted in the form of a separate file or placed at the end of the text file.
  • Avoid fancy design (e.g., 3-D).
  • Use the same font in all figures and within a figure. Arial is recommended. Freehand lettering is unacceptable.
  • Use (greysacale)solid (not pattern) fillings of e.g. bars or areas in computer-generated figures.
  • The axes in graphs should always be named and units, if needed, should be given in parentheses.
  • Axis title should be placed parallel to the respecive axis.
  • Explain all graphic symbols (e.g. squares, triangles and so on) within the figure, not in caption. A legend should be placed under the figure not next to it.
  • Relate the size of letters, the thickness of lines (preferably uniform for all figure items), and the size of other parts of a figure, to the size of the figure itself.
  • Identify parts of a composite figure with letters, not numbers.
  • All figures should be referred to in the text in the proper numerical order (e.g., the first reference to Fig. 2 cannot precede the first reference to Fig. 1).
  • Refer to figures parenthetically; e.g. '... (Fig. 1)'. 'Fig. 1 shows ...' type statements should always be avoided when referring to figures presenting results.
  • Important: Please avoid presenting data in pie-charts; present these data in tables or bar-charts.
  • If submitted as hardcopies, all figures (pictures, drawings and photographs) should be clearly identified on the reverse side with the name(s) of the author(s) and number of the figure. In doubtful cases, the top of the picture should be indicated with an arrow. Only high-quality laser (NOT INK-JET OR BUBBLE-JET) printouts or hand-drawings (originals or flawless copies) are accepted; freehand lettering is not allowed.
  • Photographs for scanning should be provided as prints, or slides.
  • There is a charge for printing illustrations in colour (please contact the editorial office at sekj[at]helsinki.fi for details and current rates).
• References [back to the top]
  • Referring to literature in the text
    • The references should be verified by the author(s) against the original documents. If an article has not been read by the author(s) but its conclusions found in another publication (secondary source), it may be cited in the text only as follows: e.g. 'Miller's (1972) results as cited in Ashworth (1996) ...'
      In the reference list, however, only the secondary source (i.e. Ashworth 1996) can be given.
    • Mihok et al. (1985) or (Mihok et al. 1985).
    • Kurtén and Anderson (1980) or (Kurtén and Anderson 1980).
    • (Kurtén and Anderson 1980, Mihok et al. 1985).
    • When referring to more than one publication, arrange them using the following keys:
      1. Year of publication (ascending).
      2. Alphabetical order for the same year of publication.
  • The reference list [NOTE: There are no commas after authors’ surnames, nor are there spaces between initials]
    • Arrange the references as follows (numbered in order of precedence):
      • Alphabetical order,
      • Alphabetical order and number of authors (ascending) for publications in which the first author is the same.
      • Year of publication for publications by the same author or authors.
    • Remove unpublished papers from the reference list. You can refer to them only in the text as unpublished (do not forget all authors' names and initials).
    • If an article is in press or accepted, the volume number of the journal must be given.
    • Do not translate titles of non-English publications yourself. If the title was not translated in the original publication, use the original foreign title.
    • Use only official abbreviations of journal titles as indicated in the journal itself, the Biological Abstracts or the Scientific Citations Index. In questionable cases provide full titles.
      1. Article in a journal (the journal's title italicised)
         • Mihok S., Schwartz B. & Iverson S.L. 1985. Ecology of red-backed voles (Clethrionomys gapperi) in a gradient of gamma radiation. Ann. Zool. Fennici 22: 257- -271.
         • Cannell M.G.R., Murray M.B. & Sheppard L.J. 1985. Frost avoidance by selection for late budburst in Picea sitchensis. J. Appl. Ecol. 22: 931- -941.
         • Cosby B.J., Homberger G.M., Wright R.F. & Galloway J.N. 1986. Modeling the effects of acid deposition: control of long term sulfate dynamics by soil sulfate adsorption. Water Resour. Res. 22: 1238- -1291.
         • Hytönen J. & Wall A. 1997. Metsitetyjen turvepeltojen ja viereisten suometsien ravinnemäärät [Nutrient amounts of afforested peat fields and neighbouring peatland forests]. Suo 48: 33-42. [In Finnish with English summary].
      2. Chapter in a publication (the publication's title italicised)
         • Gerlach S.A. 1978. Nematomorpha. In: Illies J. (ed.), Limnofauna Europaea. 2 ed. pp. 50- -53.
         • Tamminen P. & Starr M. 1990. A survey of forest soil properties related to soil acidification in Southern Finland. In: Kauppi P., Anttila P. & Kenttämies K. (eds.), Acidification in Finland, Springer, Berlin, pp. 237- -251.
         • Häninen H. 1990. Modelling dormancy release in trees from cool and temperate regions. In: Dixon R.K., Melhdahl R.S., Ruak G.A. & Warren W.G. (eds.), Process modelling of forest growth responses to environmental stress, Timber Press Portland, pp. 159- -165.
      3. Book (the book's title italicised)
         • Manly B.F.J. 1986. Multivariate statistical methods. Chapman & Hall, London.
         • Tikkanen T. 1986. Kasviplanktonopas. Gaudeamus, Helsinki.
      4. Referring to websites should be avoided. If, however, an essential publication is available EXCLUSIVELY on the internet (printed version does not exist) it can be referred to by its URL (Universal Resource Locator) or DOI (Digital Object Identifier) ONLY. Its accessibility in foreseeable future in an unchanged form must be verified and guaranteed. If web-only publications cannot be found when an article is send to print, the references may be replaced with 'unpublished data' without notice.
      5. Article is printed with Cyrillic letters (the journal's title italicised)
         • Give transliterated and original [in Cyrillic] authors' names. Give translated (not transliterated!) title within brackets [ ] (if not translated in original publication) e.g.:
           1. Korbut V.V. [Korbut V.V.] 1989. Nest building of hooded crows. 1. Utilisation of different substrata. Zool. Zh. 68: 88- -95. [In Russian with English summary].
           2. Abramov A.L. & Abramov I.I. [Abramov A.L. & Abramov I.I.] 1956. [Mnium immarginatum (Lindb.) Broth. from Mongolia]. Bot. Zh. 41: 89- -91. [In Russian].
      6. An article in press may be included in the references list: the name and volume of the journal and the publication year must, however, be given. "[In press.]" should be inserted at the end of such reference.
      7. Material in preparation or unpublished cannot be included in the reference list, and can only be referred to in the text using only the first author's initial(s) and name followed by "unpubl. data" or "pers. comm.".
      8. Referring to websites should be avoided.

Final remarks

When sending a finalised version of an accepted manuscript, PC users should name files using short DOS-type filenames (max. 12 characters) instead of long ones allowed in Windows and Save word-processor files As RTF.

The first or appointed author will receive proofs of the article. Errors caused by editorial or linguistic alterations will be corrected free of charge. Other substantial corrections, especially if they alter the final layout, may be corrected for a fee. We do not assume responsibility for misinterpretation of illegibly marked corrections.

The proofs with both attached forms (filled in) should be returned to the Editorial Office exclusively by mail within 48 hours of their arrival. Errors found after the proofs had been returned may not be corrected.