Foreword

Dear readers, contributing authors, and friends of the Journal of the Czech Geological Society and Bulletin of Geosciences, For decades, both journals published articles covering the same wide spectrum of geoscience topics. At present, an agreement between the Czech Geological Survey and the Czech Geological Society has been reached in co-ordinated effort to focus our journals on distinguished disciplines. Since January 2006, the Journal of the Czech Geological Society will publish papers on crystalline , petrology, , , tectonics, and related topics. At the same time, Bulletin of Geosciences will present papers dealing with palaeoenvironmental geology, and related topics. The edi- tors will inform authors submitting papers for publication about the new profile of the journals during the interim period. We believe the focused scope of our journals will help to elevate the scientific quality of contributions. This major change in the evolution of our journals is aimed at improving their standing at the competitive scene of international pub- lishing media. We value authors of future contributions and wish to encourage them in submitting their manuscripts. Together with critical readers, they play the most important role in improving the quality of our journals.

Zdeněk Venera Director of Czech Geological Survey

Petr Budil Chairman of Czech Geological Society

Editorial

The Bulletin of Geosciences is a quarterly journal published by the Czech Geological Survey. The journal has a long tradi- tion, having been published since 1925 (see www.geology.cz/bulletin, Bulletin of Geosciences, 2005, Vol. 80, No. 4, 239–243, for details). Since 2001, the Bulletin of Geosciences has had an international editorial board. All submitted pa- pers are written in English and have been subjected to international . The journal is also published electroni- cally, and full-text articles are available, beginning with volume 77, on the Bulletin website (www.geology.cz/bulletin). Volume 81 of the Bulletin of Geosciences is marked by a series of notable changes. By decision of the director of the Czech Geological Survey, Zdeněk Venera, following his agreement with the head of the Czech Geological Society, Petr Budil (see above), the Bulletin of Geosciences is changing its scope. Beginning with volume 81, the Bulletin will publish new articles in the field of palaeoenvironmental geology, including palaeontology, , , palaeogeo- graphy, palaeoecology, palaeoclimatology, geochemistry, mineralogy, , and related fields. The new editorial board has invited an international group of associate editors (see journal covers) to help ensure the scientific quality of the published papers. Together with the change in scope, a new design and new instructions for authors have been prepared (see journal covers or www.geology.cz/bulletin). Also beginning with volume 81, the scientific papers for the Bulletin of Geosciences can be submitted electronically (to [email protected]) to simplify the manuscript submission and review- ing process. I greatly appreciate the work of Lilian Švábenická and other members of the previous Editorial Board for their service for the Bulletin of Geosciences. One of the main characteristics of a good is the stability of the scientific and technical quality of its articles, and our new team promises to continue this standard. This would not be possible with- out the help of all members of our new team of coeditors, associate editors, and executive and technical editors. In addition, the most critical factor influencing the quality of any journal is that it receives ample, scientifically significant manuscripts. I look forward to working together with the new editorial board, with our reviewers, and with all of the contributing au- thors in building a good scientific journal.

Jiří Frýda Editor

Prague, March 7, 2006