Animesh Gain

We are pleased to report that the recently released 2024 journal metrics highlight a positive trajectory with regards to the Australasian Journal of Environmental Management (AJEM)’s visibility and scholarly impact. AJEM’s Impact Factor has increased to 1.5, up from 1.1 in 2023. The Journal Citation Indicator has also improved from 0.25 to 0.33, reflecting growing recognition of the journal’s influence in environmental research. Meanwhile, AJEM’s CiteScore has risen to 2.9 (from 2.6 in 2023), placing the journal in the Q2 quartile for Geography, Planning and Development. In percentile terms, AJEM now ranks 60th among 841 journals in Geography, Planning and Development and 46th among 406 journals in Management-related categories. These advancements reflect the high-quality contributions from our authors, the rigour of our reviewers and the ongoing support from our editorial board and readership. We thank you all for your continued commitment to strengthening the Journal’s standing and relevance.

In this editorial, we take the opportunity to bring together a group of interdisciplinary contributors to reflect on one of the most complex issues in environmental management in Australia and New Zealand, prescribed burning. This special focus features insights from fire ecologists, forestry and biodiversity specialists as well as and experts in environmental policy and governance. By engaging with these varied perspectives, we aim to deepen the conversation around the ecological, social and governance dimensions of prescribed burning and to move beyond disciplinary silos towards more integrated, informed and context-sensitive approaches to fire management. We invite you to explore the perspectives presented in this issue and to join us in advancing thoughtful, evidence-based and collaborative environmental management across Australasia and beyond.

Welcome to the second 2024 issue of the Australasian Journal of Environmental Management (AJEM). As the Journal evolves, we are excited to introduce new editorial changes and fresh perspectives. I am joined by my esteemed colleague, Oliver Fritsch, as co-editor. Together, we are committed to building on the journal’s legacy of excellence while incorporating new voices and innovative ideas. Our editorial board and associate editors have also been renewed to reflect a broader range of expertise and viewpoints, ensuring that we remain at the forefront of environmental discourse.

As the newly appointed editor of the Australasian Journal of Environmental Management (AJEM), it is with both a profound sense of responsibility and immense enthusiasm that I pen this inaugural editorial. The realm of environmental management stands at a pivotal juncture, where the urgency of global environmental challenges intersects with unparalleled opportunities for innovation, collaboration, and transformative action. In this dynamic landscape, the AJEM remains committed to being at the forefront of disseminating cutting-edge research, fostering multidisciplinary dialogues, and shaping the discourse on sustainable environmental practices within the Australasian region and beyond...