The Living World on Paper
How a Single Journal Captures the Explosion of Biological Sciences
From Microscopic Worlds to Global Ecosystems: The Science of Life in Print
Unraveling Nature's Mysteries, One Publication at a Time
In an era of unprecedented environmental change and scientific advancement, biological sciences have become more critical than ever. This vast field explores everything from the microscopic machinery inside our cells to the complex interactions that sustain entire ecosystems. At the forefront of documenting these discoveries is Pesquisa e Ensino em Ciências Exatas e da Natureza (PECEN), a multidisciplinary journal that has become a vital platform for scientists to share their findings about the living world.
Journal Statistics
2017 Data28
Manuscripts Received
18
Papers Published
In 2017 alone, PECEN received 28 manuscripts for evaluation and published 18 significant papers, all dedicated to advancing our understanding of biological systems 1 . This publication provides a unique snapshot of where biological research is headed—and why it matters for addressing some of humanity's most pressing challenges, from biodiversity loss to climate change 1 .
The Expanding Universe of Biological Research
What Exactly Are the Biological Sciences?
Biological sciences represent the systematic study of living organisms, from the smallest microscopic bacteria to the largest whales and ancient trees 1 . This isn't just about cataloging species—it's about understanding the fundamental processes that govern life itself. Researchers in this field investigate how organisms function, interact, evolve, and respond to their environments.
Biological Specializations
The Surprising Leader in Biological Publications
Within this diverse landscape of research, one particular field emerged as the clear leader in PECEN's 2017 publications: Zoology, the branch of biology dedicated to studying the animal kingdom 1 . Of the 18 papers published that year, 7 fell under this category, making it the journal's flagship research area 1 .
Zoological Subfields
- Morphology of Recent Groups 2 papers
- Taxonomy of Recent Groups 4 papers
- Ecological Interactions 3 papers
This distribution reflects a growing scientific emphasis on understanding the natural world as it exists today, particularly as human activities rapidly transform global ecosystems.
A Closer Look: Investigating Nature's Laboratories
The Crucial Role of Field Ecology
To understand how biological research actually happens, let's examine a hypothetical but representative ecological study—the kind that might appear in publications like PECEN. Imagine a research team investigating how human disturbance affects insect diversity in a protected forest ecosystem.
Such field studies are crucial because they provide baseline data about ecosystem health. Insects often serve as bioindicators—species whose presence, absence, or abundance reflects specific environmental conditions. By monitoring these tiny creatures, scientists can detect ecosystem changes long before they become apparent in larger animals.
Field Research Process
Researchers carefully collect data in natural habitats to understand ecosystem dynamics and human impacts.
Methodology: A Step-by-Step Scientific Process
The research follows a carefully designed protocol to ensure results are reliable and reproducible 2 :
Site Selection
Researchers identify study areas with varying levels of human impact—from pristine old-growth forest to lightly trafficked recreational zones.
Data Collection
The team sets up insect traps along transects and monitors them weekly throughout the field season.
Specimen Processing
Collected insects are identified to species level using taxonomic keys, photographed, and cataloged.
Environmental Measurements
Simultaneously, researchers record abiotic factors like temperature, humidity, soil pH, and light availability.
This systematic approach ensures that the data collected will be robust enough for statistical analysis and meaningful conclusions 2 .
From Fieldwork to Findings: Data That Tells a Story
Revealing Patterns in Biodiversity
After months of careful fieldwork and laboratory analysis, the research team compiles their findings. The data reveals striking patterns about how human presence influences forest ecosystems.
| Forest Zone | Number of Species Identified | Total Individuals Collected | Species Diversity Index |
|---|---|---|---|
| Old-Growth Forest | 147 | 2,845 | 4.32 |
| Limited Access | 118 | 2,110 | 3.87 |
| Recreational Area | 89 | 3,505 | 2.91 |
| Heavily Trafficked | 64 | 1,892 | 2.15 |
The numbers tell a clear story: as human disturbance increases, biodiversity decreases. The recreational area shows high total individuals but low diversity—often a sign of ecological imbalance where a few "generalist" species thrive while specialists disappear.
The Impact on Different Insect Groups
Not all insects respond equally to environmental pressure. Some groups prove more sensitive than others.
Sensitivity to Disturbance
Butterflies/Moths (Lepidoptera)
Beetles (Coleoptera)
Bees/Wasps (Hymenoptera)
Flies (Diptera)
The dramatic decline in butterflies and moths—particularly concerning as many serve as pollinators—highlights the potential ecosystem consequences of habitat disturbance.
Connecting the Dots: Environmental Correlations
The researchers don't just count species; they investigate what environmental factors might explain these patterns.
| Environmental Factor | Correlation with Species Richness | Statistical Significance (p-value) |
|---|---|---|
| Canopy Cover | +0.87 | <0.001 |
| Soil Organic Matter | +0.79 | <0.01 |
| Distance from Trail | +0.82 | <0.001 |
| Air Temperature | -0.65 | <0.05 |
| Human Noise Levels | -0.71 | <0.01 |
These strong correlations suggest that preserving forest structure—particularly maintaining intact canopy cover—may be crucial for conserving insect biodiversity.
The Scientist's Toolkit: Essential Equipment for Ecological Research
Conducting rigorous biological research requires specialized tools and techniques. Here's what you'd typically find in an ecologist's field kit:
| Item | Function | Specific Application in Our Study |
|---|---|---|
| Insect Traps | Capture specimens for identification | Baited pitfall traps and malaise traps placed along transects |
| Taxonomic Keys | Identify organisms to species level | Detailed guides to local insect fauna |
| GPS Device | Precise location mapping | Mark exact trap locations for spatial analysis |
| Environmental Sensor | Measure abiotic factors | Record temperature, humidity, and light levels |
| Ethanol Solution | Preserve specimens | Maintain insect integrity for laboratory study |
| Statistical Software | Analyze data patterns | Perform diversity calculations and correlation tests |
Each tool plays a critical role in transforming observations into reliable scientific data—the foundation of meaningful conclusions 7 .
Beyond the Data: Why This Research Matters
The decline in insect biodiversity isn't just a concern for entomologists. These small creatures form the foundation of many food webs, pollinate our crops, and help decompose organic matter. The research published in journals like PECEN provides early warning signs of ecosystem stress that could eventually affect everything from forest health to agricultural productivity 1 .
This is just one example of how biological research helps us understand our changing world. Similar studies are happening across the spectrum of biological sciences—from microbiologists tracking the evolution of antibiotic resistance to geneticists developing new disease treatments and conservation biologists working to protect endangered species 1 .
What makes PECEN particularly valuable is its commitment to multidisciplinary work. By bringing together research from diverse fields including "Agrarian, Biomedical, Chemical, Earth, Environmental, Health and Exact and Natural Sciences," it fosters the cross-pollination of ideas that drives scientific innovation 1 .
Future Directions
The journal anticipates "a substantial increase in the number of publications on the most diverse subjects" in coming years 1 .
Regardless of how many submissions they receive, the editors emphasize that "the main factor for publication in PECEN is the importance and quality of the contributions" 1 —a reminder that in science, rigor matters most.
In the end, biological publications do more than just share data—they help us understand life's incredible diversity at a time when it's most vulnerable. They remind us that whether we're studying the smallest insect or the largest ecosystem, each discovery adds another piece to the puzzle of how our living world works—and how we might better protect it for the future.