Transitional Waters Bulletin is a journal edited by the University of Lecce.

The journal aims at a large, multidisciplinary audience and is dedicated to rapidly publishing innovative results of field and laboratory experiments, new techniques and creative ideas and theoretical developments on all aspects of the ecology and conservation of river mouth ecosystems, lagoons, coastal lakes and brackish wetlands. Theoretical, analytical, experimental, empirical, historical, descriptive approaches are all included, from any field and organization level of interest in ecology (i.e., from ecophysiology and ecotoxicology to ecosystem and landscape ecology). Papers reporting ecological research on all varieties of organisms are welcome. Transitional Waters Bulletin also strongly encourages the submission of technical papers, reporting methodological innovations or new technical developments in the fields of more general interest. The journal provides a Forum in which all aspects of monitoring and conservation of transitional ecosystem health and of sustainable and adaptive management of the natural heritage of transitional landscapes, can be presented and discussed, including, also, historical and socio-ecological perspectives.. Short research or conceptual papers and letters that are well grounded in ecological theory and have broad implications for environmental policy and resource management are well suited for the publication in the Forum section.

Transitional Waters Bulletin will start with four issues per year. Relatively short papers, 6 to 8 printed pages, corresponding roughly to 3-3.5 manuscript pages inclusive of tables and figures, are strongly encouraged. Papers longer than 16-18 printed pages may be considered for the publication in Transitional Waters Monographs at the discretion of the editors. Papers must be original and not have been previously published in the primary literature. This does not mean that reanalysis, interpretation or assessment of published data is in anyway excluded from the journal. Publication in these areas are acceptable both in Transitional Waters Bulletin and, particularly, in Transitional Waters Monographs, at the discretion of the subject-matter or eco-regional area editor.

Transitional Waters Bulletin is expected to have a wide audience, encompassing scientists in research institutes, universities, industry, environmental organisations and all level of government as well as aquatic habitat managers and policy makers concerned with these issues.

All aspects of the ecology and conservation of river mouth ecosystems, lagoons, coastal lakes and brackish wetlands are subjects covered by Transitional Waters Bulletin; they include the following topics:

• Transitional water ecology & phenomena
• Species distribution in relation to varying environments
• Transitional water sedimentary processes and bio-geochemistry
• Modeling of transitional water ecosystems
• Habitat typology and community classification
• Theoretical principles underlying ecosystem health surveillance and monitoring
• Impact assessment research and study cases
• Management, conservation and rehabilitation of habitat and communities
• Historical and socio-ecological adaptive management
• Legal framework for conservation

Types of contributions
Perspectives. Perspectives are expected to be pivotal papers providing synthetic overview, critical commentary, historical and multidisciplinary perspective, primarily by established scientists and outstanding experts in transitional aquatic ecosystem ecology and management. Perspectives will be generally invited papers, but aspiring authors should feel encouraged to contact the Editor-in-Chief.

Reports & Articles. Reports and articles are expected to disclose original and innovative work that substantially advance a field, overturn existing ideas or enhance the knowledge on transitional water ecosystems at eco-regional level. Reports are expected to be concise and effective presentations of theoretical, analytical, experimental, empirical, historical, or descriptive work, with an average length of 5-6 printed pages. Submissions may contain up to 20 manuscript pages, roughly 5000 words with an up to 200 words abstract. Manuscript longer than 20 manuscript pages, up to 50 manuscript pages, can be accepted as Articles. The increased length of Articles relative to Reports must be justified by their scientific content and significance. The abstract can have a maximum of 350 words. Our target is a rapid peer review process, editorial decision and publication. The authors will receive the referee's comments within 4 weeks from the manuscript submission, for Report papers, and within 8 weeks, for Article papers.

Data. Data papers are expected to be detailed descriptions of lagoon abiotic and/or biotic components. Papers should contain extensive data reports 1. on physical and chemical characteristics of either water column or sediments; 2. on biotic components, as species lists of both animals or plants. Data papers are required to report an accurate description of all methodological aspects of the sampling procedures and sample analysis.

Special Features & Forums. Special Features are intended to address a theme of particular contemporary interest and that is likely to be of broad concern to transitional water scientists and managers, as well as to a more general audience. A Special Feature should explain an unfamiliar topic or an area in which there has been considerable present progress or interests. Special Feature format is more flexible than Reports and Articles, but generally encourages very concise and effective papers contributing to each Special Feature. Forums can be in different formats but always include commentaries solicited from a number of experts. These commentaries represent personal views or responses to papers considered to be of very broad interest or significance within the fields covered by the journal.

The journal publication started in 2007.
It is published by SIBA of the University of Lecce and it is available at URL http://siba-ese.unisalento.it.