Systematic review use a rigorous methodology for synthesis of existing data. It provides outcomes which are usually greater than the sum of the parts. Therefore it is very suitable for publication as a piece of primary research.

Systematic reviews conducted under CEE Guidelines are lodged in the CEE library as a full report together with supplementary materials. These all remain the property of the authors.

The authors are free to publish research papers reporting the outcomes of the systematic review (sometimes more than one paper from a single SR). The full systematic review is usually cited as supplementary material giving more detail of the methods etc. There are now many examples of papers published from SRs in a range of journals, some examples of which are listed below. CEE is happy to provide advice on co-ordinating the submission of manuscripts to journals with submission of a SR to the CEE library (contact: info@environmentalevidence.org)

In September 2011, the CEE launched an open-access journal, Environmental Evidence, which allows review teams to publish their protocols, completed reviews, as well as a range of other manuscripts, in a professional scientific journal hosted by BioMed Central - Springer, thus enhancing the visibility and acknowledgment of the work of the review teams by the scientific community and end-users.

 

Publishing in Environmental Evidence and/or the CEE Library

Authors conducting CEE reviews should consider their options for publication at an early stage. CEE is committed to open-access publishing and therefore all articles are subject to an article processing charge (see below).

The normal, and recommended, option for publication is to submit protocols, systematic reviews and systematic maps to the CEE journal Environmental Evidence at:

www.environmentalevidencejournal.org

Subject to peer review and acceptance, this will provide authors with peer-reviewed publications of articles types that would not normally be accepted by most other journals.

There are two alternative options for publication of their CEE protocols and reviews. Authors can opt for either;

1. Posting of the protocol in the CEE library only but publication of the systematic review or map in ‘Environmental Evidence’.
2. Publish both protocol and systematic review or map in the CEE Library only.

 

Publishing a research paper

A frequently asked question is what impact the publishing of a CEE review has on opportunity to publish research papers arising from the work. Systematic protocols, maps and reviews, as well as their appendices and additional materials, remain the property of the authors. The authors are free to publish papers summarising the SR and its outcomes (sometimes more than one paper from a single SR) in any journal of their choice. The full SR is usually cited as supplementary material giving more detail of the methods etc. (for help about how to cite a review, map or protocol ask info@environmentalevidence.org or check at the bottom the cover pages of each manuscript from the review’s dedicated webpage)There are now many examples of papers published from SRs in a range of journals, some examples of which are listed below. CEE is happy to provide advice on co-ordinating the submission of manuscripts to journals with submission of a SR to the CEE library or to Environmental Evidence (contact: info@environmentalevidence.org).

 

Some papers published from CEE Systematic Reviews

Waylen, K.A., Fischer, A., McGowan, P.J.K. Thirgood, S.J. & Milner-Gulland, E.J.2010. Effect of Local Cultural Context on the Success of Community-Based Conservation Interventions. Conservation Biology. Online early.

Bowler, D.E., Buyung-Ali L.M., Knight, T.M. & Pullin, A.S. 2010. Urban greening to cool towns and cities: a systematic review of the empirical evidence. Landscape and Urban Planning, Online early

Smith, R.K. , Pullin, A.S., Stewart, G.B. & Sutherland W.J. Is nest predator exclusion an effective strategy for enhancing bird populations? Biological Conservation, Online early

Martínez-Abraín, A. Oro, D. Jiménez,  J. Stewart, G.B. & Pullin, A.S. 2010. A systematic review of the effects of recreational activities on nesting birds of prey  Basic and Applied Ecology, Online early.

Felton, A., Knight, E., Wood, J., Zammit, C., and Lindenmayer, D. 2010. A meta-analysis of fauna and flora species richness and abundance in plantations and pasture lands. Biological Conservation 143, 545-554.

Benítez-López, A., Alkemade, R. & Verweij, P.A. 2010. The impacts of roads and other infrastructure on mammal and bird populations: A meta-analysis. Biological Conservation 143, 1307-1316.

Gussett, M., Stewart, G., Bowler, D. & Pullin, A.S. 2010. Wild Dog Reintroductions in
South Africa: a Systematic Review and Cross-Validation of an Endangered Species Recovery Programme. Journal for Nature Conservation 18, 230-234.

Smith, R.K., Pullin, A.S., Stewart, G.B. & Sutherland, W.J. 2010. The effectiveness of predator removal for enhancing bird populations. Conservation Biology 24,  820–829.

Radwan, J., Biedrzycka, A. & Babik, W. 2010. Does reduced MHC diversity decrease viability of vertebrate populations? Biological Conservation 143, 537-544.   

Stewart, G.B., Kaiser, M.J., Côté, I.M., Halpern, B.S., Lester, S.E., Bayliss,  H.R. & Pullin, A.S. 2009. Temperate marine reserves: global ecological effects and guidelines for future networks. Conservation Letters 2, 243-253.

Stewart, G.B., Bayliss, H.R., Showler, D.A., Sutherland, W.J. & Pullin, A.S. 2009.
Effectiveness of engineered in-stream structure mitigation measures for increasing salmonid abundance: a systematic review. Ecological Applications 19, 931-941.

Newton, A.C. Stewart, G.B. Myers, G. Diaz, A. Lake, S. Bullock, J.M. and Pullin, A.S.
2009. Impacts of grazing on lowland heathland in north-west Europe. Biological Conservation 142, 935-947.

Stewart, G.B. & Pullin, A.S. 2008. The relative importance of grazing stock type and grazing intensity for conservation of  mesotrophic ‘old meadow’ pasture. Journal for Nature Conservation 16, 175-185.

Roberts, P.D. & Pullin, A.S. 2008. The Effectiveness of Management Interventions for the Control of Spartina Species: A systematic review and meta-analysis.Aquatic Conservation: Marine and Freshwater Ecosystems 18, 592-618.

Davies, Z.G., Tyler, C. Stewart, G.B. & Pullin, A.S. 2008. Are current management recommendations for saproxylic invertebrates effective? A systematic review. Biodiversity and Conservation 17, 209-234.

Stewart, G.B. Pullin, A.S. & Tyler, C.2007. The effectiveness of asulam for bracken (Pteridium aquilinum) control in the united kingdom: A meta-analysis.  Environmental Management 40, 747-760

Roberts, P.D. & Pullin, A.S. 2007. The effectiveness of management interventions used to control ragwort species. Environmental Management 39, 691-706

Stewart, G.B., Pullin, A.S. & Coles, C.F.  2007. Poor evidence-base for assessment of windfarm impacts on birds. Environmental Conservation 34, 1-11.

Davies, Z.G. & Pullin, A.S. 2007. Are hedgerows effective corridors between fragments of woodland habitat: an evidence-based approach. Landscape Ecology 22, 333-351.

Brooks, J.S., Franzen, M.A., Holmes, C.M., et al.  2006. Testing hypotheses for the success of different conservation strategies. Conservation Biology 20,  1528-1538.

Tyler, C., Pullin, A.S. & Stewart, G.B. 2006. Effectiveness of management interventions to control invasion by Rhododendron ponticum. Environmental Management 37, 513- 522.

Stewart, G.B., Coles, C.F. & Pullin, A.S. 2005. Applying evidence-based practice in conservation management: Lessons from the first systematic review and dissemination projects. Biological Conservation 126, 270-278.