Journal of Tropical Biology (J. Trop. Biol.) is a bilingual (Chinese-English) bimonthly journal sponsored by Hainan University and overseen by the Department of Education of Hainan Province. It is published domestically and internationally under the Chinese serial number CN 46-1092/S and the ISSN 1674-7054.

The journal originated as the Journal of South China University of Tropical Agriculture. With approval from the National Press and Publication Administration in May 2009, it was renamed Journal of Tropical Biology and commenced publication under this title in March 2010. In June 2025, it transitioned to a bilingual format. That same year, it achieved a composite impact factor of 1.618 on the China National Knowledge Infrastructure (CNKI) platform, consistently ranking in the Q2 quartile within the comprehensive agricultural sciences category.

The journal is indexed in major Chinese databases, including the China Academic Journal (CD Edition), the Chinese Scientific and Technical Journal Database, and the Wanfang Data Knowledge Service Platform. It has been consecutively recognized as a Chinese Science and Technology Core Journal (a source journal for statistical analysis of Chinese scientific papers) by the Institute of Scientific and Technical Information of China since 2013.

In 2024, the journal was selected for the Excellence Action Plan for Chinese Scientific and Technological Journals (Phase II) cluster pilot project, becoming a founding member of both the Chinese University Sci-Tech Journal Consortium and the Chinese Academy of Engineering Journals Alliance. It also received the Outstanding Journal of Hainan Province (2024) award. In 2025, it was designated as an RCCSE Chinese Core Academic Journal and received the “Exemplary Converged Media Unit” and “Editorial Excellence” awards from the Demonstration Case Repository for Chinese Agricultural Journal Development.

Furthermore, beginning in 2024, the journal has been successively indexed by internationally renowned databases such as AGRIS, CABI, EBSCO, EuroPub, J-gate and Ulrichsweb, as well as COAJ and CSCIED.

Aims & Scope

Adhere to the guidance of Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era, uphold the principle of unifying academic freedom with academic norms, encourage constructive academic debates, and stimulate innovation vitality while strictly abiding by the bottom lines of research ethics and biosafety. Adhering resolutely to the strategic "Four Orientations" – orienting towards the world's scientific and technological frontiers, the main economic battlefield, the country's major needs, and people's life and health. We embrace the policy of "Letting a hundred flowers bloom and a hundred schools of thought contend," practicing a development philosophy centered on thriving on excellence, promoting growth through distinctive characteristics, and driving progress through relentless innovation. We dedicate ourselves to building a premier communication platform that showcases the latest scientific and technological achievements in tropical biology, thereby supporting the development and utilization of tropical biological resources and propelling advancements in biology and related fields. Leveraging the unique geographical advantages of tropical regions and Hainan Island, we highlight Hainan's vibrant tropical character, showcasing the distinctive disciplinary features, forward-thinking school-running philosophy, and clear journal-running direction of the new Hainan University. We strive to significantly enhance the ability to access vital scientific and technological information essential for research, education, and production within the life sciences. Our aim is to empower domestic and international scientific and technological workers, enabling them to efficiently grasp the dynamic developments in tropical biology, understand global trends in tropical biological science and technology, and absorb the latest scientific ideas and methods through this journal. We are committed to contributing substantially to promoting the sustainable development of tropical biological scientific research, teaching, and production across China.

Readership

The journal primarily targets researchers, educators, and professionals engaged in scientific research, education, and production within tropical life sciences, including those in agriculture, forestry, and related academic institutions.

Development Goals

With a global vision rooted in Hainan, the journal strives to become a top-tier academic publication in China and a recognized international journal. It aims to publish high-impact research that reflects hot topics and frontier advancements in all fields of tropical biology. While continuing to attract outstanding domestic submissions, the journal is actively expanding international collaboration to increase its portfolio of high-quality international manuscripts, thereby enhancing its academic leadership and global influence.

Content Coverage

The journal publishes original research articles, as well as reviews and reports with significant theoretical and practical value, covering fundamental and applied research, innovative technologies, and practical methodologies in tropical biological sciences.

Specific areas of interest include, but are not limited to:

Tropical Crops | Plant Protection | Tropical Environmental Conservation | Tropical Marine Biology & Aquaculture | Horticulture | Invasive Alien Species Management | Biodiversity & Ecological Culture | One Health | Conservation and Utilization of Plant Germplasm Resources.