Historical analysis of the Journal of the Southern African Society of Aquatic Scientists and prospects for the development of a sub-Saharan African limnology

For many years the Journal published by the Southern African Society of Aquatic Scientists has aimed to provide a forum for the publication of research results, observations, comment, theories, hypotheses and other information on natural waters in and around Africa south of the Sahara. The objective has been to promote the understanding of their functioning, conservation and wise management for the benefit of all the peoples of this subcontinent. At a time when many South African journals are assuming a title of continental relevance, as is this Journal, it is appropriate to examine its publication history from its inception in 1975 up to 1999, after which the name was changed. An analysis of authorship demographics and patterns of publication reveals that South African authors dominated our Journal and shows that there has been no significant shift in the contributions by authors from outside the borders of South Africa. Unlike international trends, there has been no significant shift toward multi-author...