List of Life Sciences Journals (widely recognized; commonly indexed in Scopus and Web of Science)
1) General Life Sciences / Biology
These are broad journals useful for interdisciplinary life science papers.
- Nature
- Science
- Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences
- Scientific Reports
- PLOS ONE
- Life
- Biology Open
Best for: broad biology, ecology, molecular biology, biodiversity, multidisciplinary life science.
2) Plant Science / Botany
These are especially relevant if your work is in floristics, taxonomy, ecology, conservation, plant diversity, ethnobotany, or plant physiology.
- Journal of Experimental Botany
- Plant Physiology
- Plant, Cell & Environment
- Plant and Soil
- New Phytologist
- Annals of Botany
- Botanical Journal of the Linnean Society
- Plant Systematics and Evolution
- Systematic Botany
- Nordic Journal of Botany
- Phytotaxa
- Kew Bulletin
- Rheedea
- Taiwania
- Feddes Repertorium
Best for your area: floristic diversity, taxonomy, conservation, protected areas, regional flora.
3) Ecology / Biodiversity / Conservation
Very suitable for protected area studies, species diversity, forest ecology, wetland ecology, and conservation research.
- Biodiversity and Conservation
- Biological Conservation
- Journal for Nature Conservation
- Global Ecology and Conservation
- Ecological Indicators
- Ecology and Evolution
- Diversity
- Forest Ecology and Management
- Journal of Tropical Ecology
- Tropical Ecology
- Wetlands Ecology and Management
- Aquatic Botany
Excellent for Assam / Northeast India topics: floristic diversity, conservation priority species, invasive plants, forest structure, wetland plants.
4) Microbiology / Biotechnology / Molecular Life Sciences
Good if your work touches microbes, biochemical pathways, lab biology, molecular ecology, or biotechnology.
- Applied Microbiology and Biotechnology
- Microbiological Research
- FEMS Microbiology Ecology
- Journal of Applied Microbiology
- BMC Microbiology
- BMC Biotechnology
- Biotechnology Letters
- Current Microbiology
- World Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
5) Zoology / Wildlife / Animal Biology
If you also need animal-side life science journals.
- Journal of Zoology
- Zoological Journal of the Linnean Society
- Animal Biodiversity and Conservation
- Mammalian Biology
- Acta Zoologica
Best journals specifically for your likely research area
Since you often work on botany / floristics / biodiversity / conservation, these are the most suitable target journals:
Very suitable shortlist
- Biodiversity and Conservation
- Journal for Nature Conservation
- Global Ecology and Conservation
- Diversity
- Plant Systematics and Evolution
- Botanical Journal of the Linnean Society
- Systematic Botany
- Phytotaxa
- Wetlands Ecology and Management
- Aquatic Botany
How to check whether a journal is still active in Scopus and WoS
This is very important because indexing status can change.
For Scopus
Check:
- Journal title
- ISSN
- SJR quartile (Q1/Q2/Q3/Q4)
- H-index
- Publisher
- Scope
Use: SCImago Journal Rankings (SJR)
For Web of Science
Check:
- Whether journal is in SCIE, ESCI, SSCI, etc.
- Coverage years
- Publisher details
Use: Web of Science Master Journal List
My practical advice for you
If your paper is on:
Floristic diversity / checklist / species composition
Best targets:
- Phytotaxa
- Taiwania
- Kew Bulletin
- Plant Systematics and Evolution
Conservation / protected area / Dehing Patkai / biodiversity assessment
Best targets:
- Biodiversity and Conservation
- Biological Conservation
- Journal for Nature Conservation
- Global Ecology and Conservation
Wetlands / aquatic vegetation / ecological studies
Best targets:
- Wetlands Ecology and Management
- Aquatic Botany
- Ecological Indicators


















