Frontmatter

Abstract

The Intermountain Journal of Sciences is a regional peer-reviewed journal that encourages scientists, educators and students to submit their research, management applications, or view-points concerning the sciences applicable to the intermountain region. Original manuscripts dealing with biological, environmental engineering, mathematical, molecular- cellular, pharmaceutical, physical and social sciences are welcome.

Co-sponsors/publishers include the Montana Academy of Sciences, the Montana Chapter of The Wildlife Society, and the Montana Chapter of The American Fisheries Society. This journal offers peer review and an opportunity to publish papers presented at annual meetings of the co-sponsor organizations. It is the intent of the governing bodies of the co-sponsor organizations that this journal replace printed proceedings of the respective annual meetings. Therefore, it is the policy of the editorial board that presenters at annual meetings of the co-sponsors be given priority in allocation of space and time of publication, although submission of other manuscripts for review and publication without regard to membership is encouraged. Initial funding was provided by the co-sponsor organizations. Long-term funding will be derived from page charges assessed authors, sponsoring organizations or agencies at $60 per printed page upon acceptance of each manuscript and from annual subscriptions: student $6; regular member $15; patron member $25; overseas member $25; library $25; life member $150; and, sustaining subscriber $2,500.

The intent of the co-sponsors and editorial board is that The Intermountain Journal of Sciences be expanded to a quarterly journal. Achieving that objective depends upon numbers of acceptable manuscripts received and available funding. It also is the intent of the editorial board that contributing authors be assured of publication within 12 months of acceptance of their manuscript by the managing editor.

The organizational staff is voluntary and consists of an editorial board, an editor-in-chief, a managing editor, associate editors, a business manager and a panel of referees. The editorial board is responsible for establishing policy and the chair of the editorial board serves as liaison to the sponsoring organizations. The editor- in-chief is responsible for determining acceptability and level of revision of manuscripts based on referees' comments and recommendation of an associate editor.

The managing editor serves as liaison for layout and printing. Associate editors include but are not limited to the section vice presidents of The Montana Academy of Sciences. Referees are selected on the basis of their field and specific area of knowledge and expertise.

Referees and associate editors judge submitted manuscripts on originality, technical accuracy, interpretation and contribution to the scientific literature. Format and style generally follow the Guidelines for Manuscripts Submitted to the Intermountain Journal of Sciences, Dusek 1995, revised 2007.* Organization may vary to accommodate the content of the article, although the text is expected to elucidate application of results.

*For detailed information about IJS, please go to our web site at: www.intermountainjournal.org

ISSN #1081-3519