What is this collection about?

The current rate of change in climate variables such as temperature and carbon dioxide concentrations is unparalleled in the instrumental period. However, such high rates of change where abrupt shifts occur in time or in system state, have been recorded in the more distant past in natural archives such as ice cores and speleothems. Investigating the processes and relationships that governed the Earth system during these periods of rapid adjustment could be key to understanding the changes we are set to experience in the present day.

In this cross-journal collection, we bring together studies that collectively inform our understanding of the drivers, pathways, mechanisms and impacts of such abrupt climate changes. We invite contributions that examine these aspects across field, laboratory, model simulation and data analysis methods looking for impacts on ecosystems and on the climate and biogeochemical cycles.

Why is this collection important?

This is a cross-journal collection between Nature Communications, Nature Geoscience, Communications Earth & Environment, and Scientific Reports. Authors are welcome to submit to any of the participating journals. All manuscripts published in the collection are hosted on a dedicated nature portfolio portal, giving articles high visibility beyond the journal they are published in.

Why submit to a collection?

Collections like this one help promote high-quality science. They are led by In-House Editors who are experts in their fields and supported by a dedicated team of Commissioning Editors and Managing Editors at Springer Nature. Collection manuscripts typically see higher citations, downloads, and Altmetric scores, and provide a one-stop-shop on a cutting-edge topic of interest.

Who is involved?

Communications Earth & Environment is edited by both in-house professional editors and Editorial Board Members. 

Nature Communications is edited by in-house professional editors.

Nature Geoscience is edited by in-house professional editors.

Scientific Reports is managed by in-house professional editors and edited by Editorial Board Members.

Our editors work closely together to ensure the quality of our published papers and consistency in author experience.

How can I submit my paper?

• Visit the Collection page to find out more about this collection and submit your article.