Appreciating GBC 2023 Reviewers

The Editors of the Global Biogeochemical Cycles express their appreciation to those who served as peer reviewers for the journal in 2023. Peer review builds trust in the scientific process and ensures high quality standards. Reviewers not only argue against the publication of certain research papers, but also help to improve the content and presentation of the final product. GBC is proud to engage a large and diverse pool of reviewers who are experienced in the publication process and offer their unique, world class expertise to the broader community. On behalf of GBC's editorial board and the entire biogeochemistry community, we thank 388 reviewers for their contribution to scientific progress in our interdisciplinary field. It has been said that peer review is like democracy-the worst method except for all others. As in a democratic system, peer reviewers play multiple other roles as members of our GBC community. Peer reviewers also engage as authors, colleagues, mentors, mentees, and sometimes as editors. Reviewers help to shape the journal content, help authors to improve the science, and also learn along the way. In 2023, 388 colleagues produced 495 review reports for GBC. These reports are a primary tool used to ensure scientific quality, novelty and integrity. Peer reviewers stand with editors and authors to protect AGU values such as excellence, inclusion and collaboration. The high trust placed on GBC papers only exists due to the unselfish dedication of our reviewers. Our editorial board is proud to work with this large, diverse pool of reviewers from all over the world, and expresses a deep gratitude to all colleagues engaging in the complex and democratic peer review process!