Editorial

More than 2800 pages of problem-oriented botanical research have been published in PLANT BIOLOGY since the first issue appeared in January 1999. In the preface to that issue, written by the presidents of the two responsible botanical societies, it was clearly stated that it was the aim of the journal to cover nearly all aspects of botany. Thus PLANT BIOLOGY is a broad botanical journal. It was interesting to see that over recent years various societies and journals covering the interests of predominantly plant physiologists have now included the words Plant Biology in their names. In this way they visualize their broadening scope. This is not at all unexpected if we look at the developments in the field of plant biological research. As in the past, research questions are still generated at specific integration levels, but in contrast to that past, the answers and consequences are nowadays found and studied at several integration levels. Ecophysiologists, for example, formulate ecological research questions, often using molecular tools to answer these questions, while the results are applied to better understand processes at the community level.

Another aim formulated in the already mentioned preface of 1999 was to establish a botanical journal with a strong international impact. Our journal has been very successful in that respect. In 2001 our first impact factor was 1.215; one year later it increased by more than 50 % to 1.828. I would like to take this opportunity to thank our past and present section editors, our referees and all the people associated with the Thieme office for their energy and time given to achieve this international recognition. PLANT BIOLOGY is an ambitious journal; we are very happy with our present impact, but we are not yet satisfied. Within a few years we hope to achieve an impact higher than 2.

Another important reason for writing this editorial is that this issue of PLANT BIOLOGY is the first without the inspiring leadership of Ulrich Lüttge. Professor Lüttge has decided to retire from his duties with PLANT BIOLOGY. He was Editor-in-Chief of BOTANICA ACTA from 1986 onwards and continued this function when it merged with ACTA BOTANICA NEERLANDICA to form PLANT BIOLOGY. His never-ending energy and enthusiasm formed the fundamental basis for the success of PLANT BIOLOGY.

The successor to Prof. Lüttge will be Prof. Heinz Rennenberg from the Institute of Forest Botany and Tree Physiology at the University of Freiburg (Germany). Prof. Rennenberg has served PLANT BIOLOGY for many years as Section Editor in the Physiology and Molecular Biology and Proteomics section and also as Co-Editor. He knows the job very well and I am convinced that he will undertake it with similar drive and vigour as his predecessor. I wish him all possible success in this responsible function.