PREFACE ADVIDS BARSEVSKIS

The first issue of the Baltic Journal of Coleopterology (BJC) published by the Baltic Institute of Coleopterology is offered to your attention. At the moment, it is also the only Journal in the Baltic States, devoted to various aspects of the beetles (Coleoptera) study.Papers included in the first volume deal with the latest developments in research into, classification and ecology of, beetles in the Baltic region. Special attention is paid to the taxonomy of Paleactic beetles.Taxonomy will be one of the Journal's priorities in future. Descriptions of new species from Palearctic regions, articles dealing with ecological issues, particulary those associated with the conservation habitats in the Baltic States and in the EU member-states, as well as reports about distribution of the species which are new to the fauna of Baltic region. All these, as many others, will be given space in the issues to follow.Within a short time since the launching the Journal, we managed to form an international Editorial Board. Its members render their expertise to rising the quality of BJC, and to working out strategies for its development. In future, Editorial board will embrace more academics and researchers, who are well known and respected for their professionalism among the ranks of coleopterologists. High quality of periodical depends on the work of reviewers, as much as on that of its authors.I'm happy to invite more specialists from Baltic region and the neighbouring countries to contribute to BJC.Publication of the first volume was financially supported by the Environmental Protection Fund of Latvia.The issue become reality thanks to the efforts of many people. We are indebted to Marina and Vitauts Stocka of the DPU Publishing House "Saule" for their invaluable advice on design. Special thank you to Guna Linkevica, Director of ISSN Centre in Latvia, for prompt registration of the Journal, and to our collegue Igor Solodovnikov of the Vitebsk State University, Republic of Belarus, whose pictoral contribution was used for the front cover decoration.I hope that BJC will enhance the further development of coleopterologic research in the Baltic region.I look forward to further co-operation.