生態專著的愿景是，它應該是發表綜合性、綜合性論文的地方，闡述生態學領域的新方向。發表在《生態學專著》上的原始研究論文將繼續記錄復雜的觀察、實驗或理論研究，這些研究由于其非常完整的性質，不會分解為更短的專注于一個主題或信息的出版物。審查將是全面和綜合的論文，確立該領域的新基準，確定今后的研究方向，有助于對生態原則的基本理解，并得出最廣泛意義上的生態管理原則(包括但不限于:保護、減輕、恢復和積極保護環境)。復習應該反映一個主題的全面發展，包括相關的自然史、觀察和實驗數據、分析、模型和理論。發表在生態學專著上的評論應該進一步模糊“基礎”生態學和“應用”生態學之間的界限。概念和綜合論文將在概念上推進生態學領域。這些論文預計將遠遠超過正在審查的作品，包括討論新的方向，新的綜合，和解決老問題。在這個科學飛速發展、環境不斷變化的世界上，需要有足夠的空間來對科學思想、數據和概念進行深思熟慮的整合，這些思想、數據和概念能夠滋養心智，并指導成熟的生態學的發展。生態專著提供了這樣一個空間，為可持續的未來提供了廣闊的視野。

The vision for Ecological Monographs is that it should be the place for publishing integrative, synthetic papers that elaborate new directions for the field of ecology.Original Research Papers published in Ecological Monographs will continue to document complex observational, experimental, or theoretical studies that by their very integrated nature defy dissolution into shorter publications focused on a single topic or message.Reviews will be comprehensive and synthetic papers that establish new benchmarks in the field, define directions for future research, contribute to fundamental understanding of ecological principles, and derive principles for ecological management in its broadest sense (including, but not limited to: conservation, mitigation, restoration, and pro-active protection of the environment). Reviews should reflect the full development of a topic and encompass relevant natural history, observational and experimental data, analyses, models, and theory. Reviews published in Ecological Monographs should further blur the boundaries between “basic” and “applied” ecology.Concepts and Synthesis papers will conceptually advance the field of ecology. These papers are expected to go well beyond works being reviewed and include discussion of new directions, new syntheses, and resolutions of old questions.In this world of rapid scientific advancement and never-ending environmental change, there needs to be room for the thoughtful integration of scientific ideas, data, and concepts that feeds the mind and guides the development of the maturing science of ecology. Ecological Monographs provides that room, with an expansive view to a sustainable future.