The science and management of ecosystems together are one of the most dynamic fields of contemporary ecology. Ecosystem science has developed into a well-established, diverse discipline that bridges fundamental research and applied problem-solving, employs a wide variety of approaches, and draws upon linkages to a number of other ecological disciplines. The scope of ecosystem science encompasses bounded systems like watersheds as well as spatially complex landscapes and even the Earth itself. Temporally, ecosystem science crosses scales ranging from seconds to millennia. The focus of ecosystem science is characterized increasingly by issues that cross spatial and temporal scales as well as the boundaries of traditional ecological disciplines.

Prior to the introduction of Ecosystems in 1998, there was no flagship journal devoted to the study and management of ecosystems. Rather, the literature of ecosystem science was dispersed among a variety of journals that either covered the discipline of ecology broadly or focused upon more specialized aspects of ecosystem-level ecology. The goal for Ecosystems was to provide a focal journal for the presentation of original research in ecosystem ecology and for editorials, mini-reviews, and special features that facilitate consideration of current topics of interest to ecosystem scientists.

Ecosystems has been successful for a number of reasons. First, the journal clearly filled a publication void for ecosystem scientists, who responded to Ecosystems with increasing rates of submission of high-quality manuscripts. Furthermore, advisory and editorial boards of outstanding scientists helped inspire confidence in the new journal and contributed many ideas for exciting special features. Editorial board members have done a superb job of setting and maintaining high publication standards. As editors-in-chief, we have actively worked to support cutting-edge science and to nurture new ideas. We have published special features that address current research frontiers (e.g., spatial heterogeneity in ecosystem processes, complex adaptive systems, and analysis of integrated social-ecological systems). We strongly encourage manuscripts that extend ecosystem science beyond traditional boundaries and promote integration and synthesis in ecology. Ecology is inherently a synthetic science, yet both disciplinary and subdisciplinary cultures can sometimes impede the cross-fertilization sorely needed to achieve synthesis. We foster synthesis by publishing mini-reviews on important topics in Ecosystems, and we offer a forum for discussion of process, challenges, and benefits of cross-disciplinary science.

Achieving some of our goals has proven to be more challenging than others. Some research topics, such as studies of the flow and transformation of matter and energy in ecological systems, are well represented in the journal, but others appear less often than we would like. For example, ecosystem science can contribute to understanding how social systems and ecosystems can be integrated in sustainable ways. Sustainability is a challenge to ecology, institutions, and economics, yet studies that cross these diverse fields remain scarce. Thus, we are still working to encourage more studies of people and nature within the pages of Ecosystems. We also continue working to increase contributions to Ecosystems from scientists outside North America, especially from developing nations.

The future for ecosystem science and for Ecosystems is promising. Prompted by the dual demands for basic knowledge and environmental problem-solving at multiple scales, ecosystem science is poised to tackle some of the most important scientific questions of our time. Ecosystems strives to be an effective journal that reflects the many disciplines that contribute to ecosystem science and bridges a variety of boundaries. As editors-in-chief, we will continue to promote insightful integration and new ways of thinking in ecosystem science on the pages of Ecosystems.