Hydrology and Earth System Sciences: an interactive open access journal of the EGU

At the occasion of the 25-year anniversary of EGU Interactive Open Access Publishing, the Executive Editors of Hydrology and Earth Systems Sciences (HESS) invite the EGU community to join an interactive presentation about HESS’s past achievements and its vision for the future.

HESS encourages and supports fundamental and applied research that advances the understanding of hydrological systems, their role in providing water for ecosystems and society, and the role of the water cycle in the functioning of the Earth system. A multi-disciplinary approach is encouraged that broadens the hydrological perspective and the advancement of hydrological science through integration with other cognate sciences and cross-fertilization across disciplinary boundaries.

HESS was founded in 1997 and in the editorial of Volume 1, Issue 1 the rationale for hydrology as a geoscience was given: “Much has been written over the past decade about the need to establish a strong identity for hydrology as a distinct geoscience alongside the atmospheric, ocean and solid earth sciences. The aims and scope of Hydrology and Earth System Sciences (HESS) have been designed to give full expression to this goal, and have been strongly influenced by 'Opportunities in the Hydrologic Sciences' (National Academy Press,1991). The functioning of the hydrological cycle within an earth system undergoing global change is currently the focus of research by many leading scientists and it is hoped that HESS will become a major forum for the publication and discussion of such research, as well as all new findings which enhance the position of hydrology as a geoscience.” Interestingly, by now hydrology is very well established as a geoscience and the Hydrological Sciences Division is one of the largest divisions of EGU.

In 2005 HESS then moved from print issues to fully web-based open access with a transparent and interactive peer-review process. From the editorial at that time (written by Huub Savenije):

“The transition from the classical anonymous and hidden peer review processes to the open discussion style follows immensely successful developments in other communities (in particular high-energy physics) and has the potential to greatly improve the communication in our discipline. Another great advantage of this discussion forum is that it will make publication (and participation in the discussions during the review process) more accessible to the wider community, especially to young scientists. HESS-D will act both as a discussion forum and as a new way (i) of contributing to our science, and (ii) for any scientist to become active and be visible as a creative and responsible thinker.” This transparent and inclusive aspect of HESS remains something we value very much and constantly try to improve on.

Current and prospective authors, reviewers, current editors and anyone who might be interested in exploring the possibility to join our editorial board will learn more about HESS’s editorial workflow, from preparing a strong submission with high scientific significance to navigating the interactive public discussion phase on the community platform EGUsphere.

Anyone interested in HESS’s transparent, community-driven and not-for-profit publication model is welcome to join, ask questions, share ideas, and explore ways to get involved.