Call for Paper: Roan Journal of Conservation
ROAN: The Journal of Conservation
The Nigerian Conservation Foundation (NCF).
Headquarters: Km 19, Lekki-Epe Expressway, Lekki, opposite Chevron, Lagos, Nigeria.
P.O. Box 74638, Victoria Island, Lagos, Nigeria.
Special Issue: Sustaining Mangrove Ecosystems in Nigeria: Prospects, Threats, and Implications for the Blue Economy
CALL FOR PAPER
Mangrove ecosystems are among the most productive and valuable coastal environments, providing essential ecosystem services such as carbon sequestration, shoreline protection, biodiversity conservation, and livelihood support. In Nigeria, particularly within the Niger Delta, mangroves underpin ecological stability and socio-economic development. However, these ecosystems are increasingly threatened by anthropogenic pressures, including crude oil pollution, deforestation, urban expansion, and climate change. This Special Issue aims to advance interdisciplinary knowledge on the sustainability of mangrove ecosystems in Nigeria, with a focus on their role in supporting the blue economy. It seeks to bring together cutting-edge research, policy analyses, and practical case studies that address both the opportunities and challenges associated with mangrove conservation and utilization.
Aim of the Special Issue
The Special Issue aims to bring together original research articles, reviews, case studies, and policy analyses that examine the sustainability, threats, and development potential of Nigerian mangroves, with a strong focus on their role in the blue economy.
Theme: Sustaining Mangrove Ecosystems in Nigeria: Prospects, Threats, and Implications for the Blue Economy
Sub-themes:
Submissions are invited under the following ten (10) thematic areas:
1. Blue Carbon Dynamics and Climate Mitigation
Research on carbon sequestration, storage, and fluxes in mangrove ecosystems, including blue carbon accounting, climate change mitigation strategies, and integration into national and global carbon markets.
2. Mangrove Biodiversity and Ecological Integrity
Studies on species diversity, ecosystem structure, ecological interactions, fisheries productivity, and the role of mangroves in maintaining coastal biodiversity.
3. Anthropogenic Impacts and Environmental Degradation
Analyses of oil spills, gas flaring, deforestation, pollution, and urban expansion and their cumulative impacts on mangrove ecosystems.
4. Mangrove Restoration Ecology and Rehabilitation Techniques
Research on restoration strategies, reforestation approaches, hydrological rehabilitation, monitoring frameworks, and success indicators of mangrove recovery.
5. Climate Change Impacts and Coastal Vulnerability
Studies addressing sea-level rise, coastal erosion, salinity intrusion, and ecosystem resilience and adaptation strategies in mangrove environments.
6. Environmental Governance and Policy Frameworks
Analyses of environmental laws, institutional arrangements, governance challenges, enforcement mechanisms, and integrated coastal zone management policies.
7. Blue Economy Development and Sustainable Livelihoods
Research on sustainable fisheries, aquaculture, ecotourism, and alternative livelihoods that align economic development with mangrove conservation.
8. Ecosystem Services Valuation and Natural Capital Accounting
Studies quantifying provisioning, regulating, cultural, and supporting ecosystem services, including economic valuation and natural capital accounting approaches.
9. Monitoring, Remote Sensing, and Geospatial Technologies
Applications of GIS, remote sensing, drones, artificial intelligence, and ecological modelling for mangrove mapping, monitoring, and carbon estimation.
10. Community Participation and Indigenous Knowledge Systems
Research on local and indigenous knowledge, community-based conservation, participatory governance, and co-management of mangrove resources.
INSTRUCTIONS FOR AUTHORS
1. Types of Manuscripts
Accepted submissions include:
- Original Research Articles
- Review Papers
- Case Studies
- Policy Analyses
- Technical Notes
- Short Communications
Table 1: Features of the Types of Submissions for the Special Issue
| Submission Type | Purpose / Description | Key Features | Typical Length |
| Original Research articles | Present new empirical, experimental, or field-based research findings. | Novel data and resultsClear methodology and analysisHypothesis- or problem-drivenStrong scientific contribution to mangrove sustainability, blue carbon, biodiversity, etc.Literature synthesis | 6,000–10,000 words |
| Review articles | Provide a comprehensive synthensis and critical evaluation of existing literature. | Identification of knowledge gapsConceptual or theoretical framingMay be systematic, narrative, or meta-analysis | 8,000–12,000 words |
| Case Studies | Examine specific locations, projects, or interventions in details. | Site-specific focus (e.g., Niger Delta mangroves)Real-world applicationsLessons learnedPractical implications for scaling | 4,000–7,000 words |
| Policy Analyses | Evaluate governance systems, policies, and institutional frameworks. | Policy review and critiqueIdentification of gaps and challengesEvidence-based recommendationsScience–policy integration | 5,000–8,000 words |
| Technical Notes | Present new or improved methods, tools, or techniques. | GIS, remote sensing, carbon estimation toolsPractical application focusMay include pilot results Concise presentation | 3,000–5,000 words |
| Short communications | Report brief but significant or emerging findings | Preliminary or pilot dataHigh relevance findingsLimited literature review | 2,000–4,000 words |
1. Manuscript Preparation
- Manuscripts must be written in clear, academic English.
- Use 12-point font, double spacing, and standard margins.
- Pages should be numbered consecutively.
Recommended Structure:
- Title Page (title, authors, affiliations, corresponding author)
- Abstract (≤300 words)
- Keywords (4–6 keywords)
- Introduction
- Materials and Methods
- Results
- Discussion
- Conclusion
- Acknowledgements (if applicable)
- References
(Flexible structure allowed for reviews and policy papers.)
The manuscript should be typed using double line spacing and Times New Roman font size 12 on A4 paper (21 x 29.7cm) with standard margins. Do not number pages. The first line of the first page should be left blank. The second line should carry the title in bold uppercase letters of font 12 and aligned to the centre. The next line should be blank. The line after should contain the Full Name(s) of the author(s) in in font 12 and should be fully justified, in this order: Surname, First Name and Middle (e.g.: Ndimele, Prince Emeka), then the affiliation(s) should be italicized (e.g.: Department of Fisheries, Faculty of Science, Lagos State University, Ojo, Lagos State, Nigeria).
Citations in the text should follow the referencing style used by the American Psychological Association (APA). You are referred to the Publication Manual of the American Psychological Association, Fifth Edition, ISBN 1-55798-790-4, copies of which may be ordered from http://www.apa.org/books/4200061.html orAPA Order Dept., P.O.B. 2710, Hyattsville, MD 20784, USA. or APA, 3 Henrietta Street, London, WC3E 8LU, UK. Details concerning this referencing style can also be found at http://humanities.byu.edu/linguistics/Henrichsen/APA/APA01.html.
List: References should be arranged first alphabetically and then further sorted chronologically if necessary. More than one reference from the same author(s) in the same year must be identified by the letters “a”, “b”, “c”, etc., placed after the year of publication.
The reference must include author(s), year of publication, full title of paper, journal volume and page numbers. Journals should be italicized. E.g.
Reference to a journal publication:
Ndimele, P.E.; Pedro, M.O.; Agboola, J.I.; Chukwuka, K.S. and Ekwu, A.O. (2017): Heavy metal accumulation in organs of Oreochromis niloticus (Linnaeus, 1758) from industrial effluent-polluted aquatic ecosystem in Lagos, Nigeria. Environmental Monitoring and Assessment, 189: 255 – 269.
Reference to a book:
Strunk, W., Jr., and White, E. B. (1979): The elements of style. (3rd ed.). New York: Macmillan.
Reference to a chapter in an edited book:
Ndimele, P.E.; Akanni, A.; Shittu, J.A.; Ewenla, L.O. and Ige, O.E. (2018): Trade-off Analyses of Ecosystem Services in Nigerian Waters. In: Ndimele, P.E. (Ed.), The Political Ecology of Oil and Gas Activities in the Nigerian Aquatic Ecosystems, San Diego, California, United States of America, Academic Press, an imprint of Elsevier. Pp 229 – 256.
Reference to a chapter in a conference proceeding:
Ndimele, P.E.; Kumolu-Johnson, C.A.; Jimoh, A.A.; Ayorinde, O.A.; Raheem, A.T. and Kushoro,
H.Y. (2010): Preliminary study on comparative morphometry of Cynothrissa mento (Regan, 1917) from Ologe, Badagry and Epe Lagoon, Lagos, Nigeria. In: Ansa, E.J.; Fashina-Bombata, H.A. and Ndimele, P.E. (Eds.), Proceedings of the 25th annual conference of the Fisheries Society of Nigeria (FISON) held at the Administrative Staff College of Nigeria (ASCON), Topo, Badagry, Lagos, 25th – 29th October, 2010. pp 260-265.
2. Figures, Tables, and Supplementary Materials
- All figures and tables must be numbered and cited in text.
- High-resolution images (minimum 300 dpi) are required.
- Supplementary materials may be submitted where necessary.
3. Referencing Style
- Follow the journal’s prescribed citation style (APA).
- Ensure accuracy and completeness of all references.
4. Ethics and Originality
- Submissions must be original and not under review elsewhere.
- Proper attribution of all sources is mandatory.
- Plagiarism (including self-plagiarism) is strictly prohibited.
- Research involving fieldwork or communities must follow ethical standards.
5. Submission Process
- Submit manuscripts via roanjournal@ncfnigeria.org
- Clearly indicate that the submission is for this Special Issue in the cover letter.
- Provide full contact details of the corresponding author.
6. Peer Review Process
- All submissions will undergo double-blind peer review.
- Evaluation will be based on originality, scientific rigor, relevance, and clarity.
- Authors may be required to revise manuscripts based on reviewer feedback.
7. Important Notes
- Manuscripts must align with the Special Issue themes.
- Poorly prepared submissions may be returned without review.
- Interdisciplinary contributions linking ecology, policy, and the blue economy are strongly encouraged.
IMPORTANT DATES
The activities for this Special Issue will run concurrently within the designated submission window.
Table 2: Manuscript Review Activities and Timelines
| Activity | Timeline |
| Call for Papers Released | 1st July, 2026 |
| Manuscript Submission Period | 1st July – 31st August, 2026 |
| Initial Editorial Screening and Reviewer Assignment | 1st July – 30th September, 2026 (concurrent with submissions) |
| Peer Review Process (Double-Blind) | 1st August – 30th September, 2026 (rolling basis) |
| Author Revisions and Resubmission | 1st August – 30th September, 2026 (as applicable) |
| Final Editorial Decisions | 1st – 15th October, 2026 |
| Copyediting, Proofreading and Production | 1st – 15th October, 2026 |
| Publication of Special Issue | 1st – 20th October, 2026. |
GUEST EDITOR: Prof. Prince Emeka Ndimele – Lagos State University, Ojo, Lagos, Nigeria.
ASSOCIATE EDITORS
KEYWORDS
Mangrove ecosystems; Blue carbon; Biodiversity conservation; Restoration ecology; Climate change; Blue economy; Ecosystem services; Environmental governance; Coastal resilience; Niger Delta; Nature-based solutions; Geospatial analysis; Sustainable livelihoods.
CONTACT INFORMATION
For inquiries, please contact:
Prof. Prince Emeka Ndimele
Email: emeka.ndimele@lasu.edu.ng; ndimele.ecology@gmail.com
Mobile: +2348038205109
Dr. Stella Egbe
Email: stella.egbe@ncfnigeria.org
Mobile: +2348065338878
