The Silent Shift
How 2011 Reshaped Wildlife Science's Flagship Journal
A Watershed Year for Wildlife Science
The year 2011 marked a quiet revolution at the Journal of Wildlife Management (JWM). As human impacts on ecosystems accelerated, this cornerstone publication—founded in 1937 and published by Wiley 1 6 —underwent transformative changes that redirected the course of wildlife research. With an impact factor of 1.9 3 4 and a Q1 ranking in ecology and conservation 4 , JWM's evolution wasn't merely academic. It reflected a discipline grappling with climate change, technological disruption, and urgent conservation crises. This article explores how policy shifts, emerging science, and a landmark elk study redefined wildlife management in 2011.
Journal Profile
- Founded: 1937
- Publisher: Wiley
- Impact Factor: 1.9
- Ranking: Q1 in Ecology & Conservation
2011 At a Glance
The Catalyst: Forces Driving Change
Editorial Transformation
In 2010–2011, JWM navigated significant staff turnover. Lead Editorial Assistant Carly Lettero departed after seven years, shifting responsibilities to Anna Knipps (managing submission systems) and Dawn Hanseder (content editing) 2 . This transition coincided with a push to streamline manuscript processing amid rising submissions. Though acceptance rates remained selective, the team prioritized interdisciplinary studies bridging ecology and human dimensions 2 3 .
Thematic Pivots
JWM's scope expanded beyond traditional wildlife biology to embrace:
JWM's 2011 Thematic Shifts
| Rising Topics | Declining Topics |
|---|---|
| Climate change impacts | Historical management reviews |
| Drone/GPS monitoring | Non-native species management |
| Indigenous co-management | Traditional hunting practices |
"The 2011 shift wasn't just about new topics—it was about redefining what wildlife management could be. We moved from observation to solutions."
The Definitive Experiment: Elk, Energy, and Endurance
The Colorado Conundrum
In 2011, JWM published a landmark study symbolizing its new direction: Influence of land development on home range dynamics of female elk . As energy development exploded in Colorado's Raton Basin, researchers asked: Could elk coexist with roads, well pads, and human activity?
Methodology
- Animal Capture: 165 female elk fitted with GPS collars
- Development Mapping: 0.3m-resolution aerial imagery
- Movement Analysis: Tracked core areas and home ranges
Results: Surprising Resilience
| Metric | Change | Significance |
|---|---|---|
| Home range overlap | 67.9% | High site fidelity |
| Core area size | -22% | Concentrated activity |
| Avoidance of open areas | +41% | Forests as buffers from humans |
The Bigger Picture
This study epitomized JWM's 2011 ethos: applied science guiding real-world conservation. By proving elk could persist in developed landscapes with forest refuges, it offered energy regulators a blueprint for habitat protection .
The Scientist's Toolkit: Tech Powering the Revolution
JWM's 2011 studies relied on cutting-edge tools. Here's what defined the era:
GPS Collars (TGW-3590)
High-frequency animal tracking
Mapped elk movements every 3 hrsCarfentanil/Thiafentanil
Safe immobilization of large mammals
Sedated elk for collar fittingGIS Software (ArcGIS 9.3)
Spatial analysis of movement data
Overlaid elk routes with infrastructureLegacy of a Transition: Why 2011 Still Matters
The changes cemented in 2011 transformed JWM from a traditional wildlife biology journal into a beacon for integrative conservation science. Its embrace of technology allowed unprecedented scrutiny of animal behavior 1 . The focus on climate impacts anticipated today's conservation crises 1 . Most profoundly, studies like the elk investigation demonstrated that wildlife could thrive in human-altered landscapes—if science informed management.
Enduring Impact
As climate pressures intensify, JWM's 2011 shift remains a testament to science's adaptive power. It proved that even venerable institutions can evolve to meet Earth's greatest challenges.