Submissions

Original articles

This section publishes original and unpublished articles presenting the results of primary research in the fields of Life Sciences, Environmental Sciences, Veterinary Medicine, and related disciplines. Manuscripts must contribute new scientific or applied knowledge, supported by a solid methodological design and well-founded conclusions.

Length and References

• Length: between 3,500 and 5,000 words (excluding references).

• References: between 20 and 40 citations.

Structure
Each manuscript must include the following components:

1. Title (maximum 18 words)

2. Authors and affiliations (names, email addresses, ORCID, affiliation)

3. Abstract (Introduction, Objective, Methods, Results, Conclusion)

4. Keywords (between 4 and 8, selected from the UNESCO Thesaurus)

5. Introduction

6. Methodology

7. Results and discussion (may be presented separately)

8. Conclusions (if not integrated into the Discussion)

9. References (between 20 and 40, in IEEE format; the use of reference management software is recommended)

Articles must report primary research (information obtained directly by the authors) with original results that have not been previously published or submitted for consideration to another journal.

All manuscripts will be evaluated through a double-blind peer review process, and the final decision regarding publication will be the responsibility of the Editor-in-Chief, based on the reviewers’ reports.

Review articles

This section is intended for the publication of review articles that provide critical analyses and syntheses of the available knowledge on topics relevant to the Life Sciences, Environmental Sciences, Veterinary Sciences, and related fields. Articles must integrate, evaluate, and discuss current scientific literature, identify trends, knowledge gaps, and future perspectives.

Length and References

• Length: between 5,000 and 10,000 words.

• References: between 30 and 80 citations from relevant primary and secondary sources.

Structure
Review articles should be structured with components similar to original research articles, adapted to their nature:

1. Title (maximum 18 words)

2. Authors and affiliations (names, email addresses, ORCID, affiliation)

3. Abstract (Objective, Scope, Methods, Analysis, Conclusion)

4. Keywords (between 4 and 6, selected from the UNESCO Thesaurus)

5. Introduction

6. Methods: literature search and selection strategy (search methods, databases, inclusion/exclusion criteria), following recognized standards such as PRISMA or other relevant methodological guidelines

7. Analysis: discussion of trends, gaps, and implications

8. Conclusion

9. References (between 30 and 80, in IEEE format; the use of reference management software is recommended)

Review articles must critically analyze findings from existing studies. All manuscripts will be evaluated through a double-blind peer review process, and the final decision regarding publication will be the responsibility of the Editor-in-Chief, based on the reviewers’ reports.

Brief communications

This section publishes short communications containing concise and novel information, such as preliminary findings, relevant observations, specific results, or methodological advances in areas related to the Life Sciences, Environmental Sciences, and Veterinary Sciences. This format is designed to rapidly disseminate contributions of scientific interest.

Length and references

• Length: between 1,000 and 1,500 words.

• References: up to 15 citations.

Structure
Although authors are encouraged to follow the IMRaD format (Introduction, Materials and Methods, Results, Discussion), it may be presented in a condensed form, provided that scientific clarity and coherence are maintained. The main focus should be a single key and novel finding, presented in a direct and precise manner.

All manuscripts will be evaluated through a double-blind peer review process, and the final decision regarding publication will be the responsibility of the Editor-in-Chief, based on the reviewers’ reports.

General considerations

Ethics and transparency

• All manuscripts must comply with ethical standards for research and publication.

• When applicable, studies must have approval from institutional ethics committees, and the manuscript must include a statement indicating such approval.

• Authors must declare conflicts of interest, sources of funding, and any relationships that could influence the results or interpretations.

Originality and verification

• Submissions must be original and must not be under review by other publications nor previously published in whole or in substantial part.

• The journal Sa´astal uses originality verification tools as part of its editorial process.

Author roles and contribution declaration

Saastal adopts the CRediT (Contributor Roles Taxonomy) standard to identify and recognize the specific contributions of each author in the creation of manuscripts. This approach ensures that all those involved in the research and writing are fairly acknowledged, promoting equity and clarity in authorship.

I General principles

• Fair recognition: Authorship must be based on substantial contributions, avoiding honorary or guest authorship.

• Transparency: Each manuscript must include a detailed declaration of the specific contributions of each author, as defined by the CRediT categories.

• Responsibility: All authors are collectively responsible for the manuscript content and must approve the final version before submission.

II CRediT Taxonomy: contribution roles

The CRediT standard includes 14 roles that define the various contributions possible in the development of an academic work:

1. Conceptualization: Development of ideas, objectives, and framing of the research.

2. Methodology: Design and validation of the methodology applied.

3. Software: Programming, software development, or implementation of codes for analysis.

4. Validation: Verification of the obtained results, through repeated analysis or alternative methods.

5. Formal analysis: Application of statistical, mathematical, or computational techniques to interpret data.

6. Investigation: Conducting the experimental work, data collection, or evidence gathering.

7. Resources: Provision of materials, reagents, instruments, or access to infrastructure.

8. Data curation: Management, maintenance, and preservation of the data used.

9. Writing – original draft: Creation of the initial manuscript version.

10. Writing – review & editing: Critical revision and substantial editing of the text, incorporating significant improvements.

11. Visualization: Creation of figures, tables, or graphic elements presenting the data.

12. Supervision: Direction and responsible leadership of the research team.

13. Project administration: Management of the activities related to the organization and execution of the project.

14. Funding acquisition: Obtaining funding for the research. 

III Mandatory declaration

During manuscript submission, authors must:

• Complete a specific section declaring contributions according to the CRediT taxonomy.

• Ensure that each author is recognized only for activities they have genuinely performed.

• Declare individuals who contributed to the work but do not meet authorship criteria, so they can be included in the acknowledgments. 

IV Resolution of authorship disputes

Any disputes related to contributions or authorship will be resolved by the editorial committee, following the guidelines of the Committee on Publication Ethics, COPE.

Saastal reaffirms its commitment to implementing the CRediT standard to promote the fair recognition and valuing of all authors' contributions.