Bioenergy and Bioresource:Open Access

Earth sciences collections cover all the aspects mentioned above; they are reference materials, as the concept of type specimens applies to paleontology and mineralogy, but also to geology with the definition of stratotypes. Regarding mineralogy, type specimens for minerals and rocks are more of historical value as types are defined upon the chemistry and the crystal structure of minerals and rocks are defined by the mineral composition. However, there is still the need for reference material, which is necessary to compare chemical and physical analyses. Geological collections record past discoveries in every meaning: as a record of the history of science to track back the scientific paradigm that underlies it and as material for future ‘cross-examination’. Samples in the collection are recording the environment, such as reefal rocks collected before the nuclear tests in the Pacific. Moreover, some collections bear information, which sometimes was not identified as important at the time of collection. The use of geological collections is helped by a long relationship with research: destructive sampling is routinely practiced and preventive conservation or collection care has not been an issue in geological laboratories for many years. However, with the spreading of the notion of heritage, such practices tend today to be more thoughtful, and very few institutions allow destructive sampling of type specimens, or even loaning them. This information can be published in our peer-reviewed journal with impact factors and are calculated using citations not only from research articles but also review articles (which tend to receive more citations), editorials, letters, meeting abstracts, short communications, and case reports. The inclusion of these publications provides the opportunity for editors and publishers to manipulate the ratio used to calculate the impact factor and try to increase their number rapidly. Impact factor plays a major role for the particular journal. Journal with higher impact factor is considered to be more important than other ones.