One of the simplest questions an ecologist can ask about a site is how many species live there. The answer is important for basic researchers and managers alike, but can be deceptively hard to obtain. This exercise introduces students to the issues surrounding the estimation of species richness, and can be completed in a single three-hour lab session. Students will learn to collect data in the...
Many conservation efforts focus on protecting and enhancing connectivity to offset the impacts of habitat loss and fragmentation on biodiversity conservation, and to increase the resilience of reserve networks to potential threats associated with climate change. Identifying effective approaches for maintaining and restoring connectivity poses several challenges, and our understanding of how...
The promise of biofuels as a renewable, environmentally friendly energy source has driven a worldwide expansion in their production. However, many questions remain about how to produce biofuels without causing new and unanticipated environmental impacts. This report summarizes the environmental effects of biofuels, illustrate some uncertainties about these effects, and identify topics for an...
Climate change is affecting land, water, and biodiversity in a variety of ways. While managing ecosystems and resources by relying on an expected set of climate conditions may have worked in the past, a growing number of managers understand the need to develop new ways to manage ecosystems in the face of climate change. The purpose of this Issue is to provide a broad perspective on approaches for...
As invasive plant species spread across landscapes, costs of their economic and environmental impacts have sparked interest in regulating their sale and transport. Laws now prohibit the sale and movement of some species. State and local governments are drafting regulations that will affect horticulture, plant nurseries, and options for landscape design. Awareness of invasive plant species is...