淡水科學由淡水科學學會(SFS)和芝加哥大學出版社(UCP)聯合出版?！兜茖W》發表文章，促進對所有類型的內陸水生生態系統(湖泊、河流、小溪、水庫、地下和河口)以及水生和陸地生境(濕地、河岸地區和洪泛區)交界處的生態系統的理解和環境管理。關于河口和海洋科學方面補充或增加對淡水生態系統理解的觀點的論文是適當的。編輯歡迎廣泛的主題，包括:物理，化學和生物特性的死水和湖泊棲息地;生態系統流程;人口、社區和生態系統的結構和動態;淡水生物的生態學、系統學和遺傳學，從細菌到脊椎動物;淡水與其他生態系統之間以及淡水生態學與其他水生科學之間的聯系;生物評價、保護和恢復;環境管理;以及基礎研究或應用研究的新方法。提交的論文可以是長篇的，也可以是短篇的。短篇論文應該講述一個完整的故事，并有數據支持。歡迎評論、元分析、觀點和書評。將考慮對迅速發展的研究領域進行理論討論和批判性評價，以及對向決策者、資源管理人員和公眾傳播科學信息進行批判性評價的文章。歡迎廣大讀者就環境政策和科學在政策和管理方面的應用發表感興趣的文章。然而，該雜志發表的學術交流是基于科學而不是倡導。

Freshwater Science is co-published by the Society for Freshwater Science (SFS) and the University of Chicago Press (UCP). Freshwater Science publishes articles that advance understanding and environmental stewardship of all types of inland aquatic ecosystems (lakes, rivers, streams, reservoirs, subterranean, and estuaries) and ecosystems at the interface between aquatic and terrestrial habitats (wetlands, riparian areas, and floodplains). Papers on aspects of estuarine and marine science that complement or add perspective to the understanding of freshwater ecosystems are appropriate. The editors welcome a wide range of topics, including: physical, chemical, and biological properties of lentic and lotic habitats; ecosystem processes; structure and dynamics of populations, communities, and ecosystems; ecology, systematics, and genetics of freshwater organisms, from bacteria to vertebrates; linkages between freshwater and other ecosystems and between freshwater ecology and other aquatic sciences; bioassessment, conservation, and restoration; environmental management; and new or novel methods for basic or applied research. Submissions can range from full-length treatments to short papers. Short papers should tell a complete story and be supported by data. Reviews, meta-analyses, perspectives, and book reviews are welcome. Theoretical discussions and critical appraisals of rapidly developing research fields will be considered, as will articles that critically evaluate communication of scientific information to policy makers, resource managers, and the general public. Articles of interest to a broad audience that address environmental policy and applications of science to policy and management also are welcome. However, the journal publishes scholarly communications that are grounded in science rather than advocacy.