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A charming ecological fable of community and friendship from award-winning author-illustrator Simon James. Frog and his friends all live happily together on the river. At least they do until Beaver comes along. Beaver is determined to build the biggest and best dam that anyone has ever seen, but it's so big that it stops all the water and Frog and his friends are forced to move. Frog tries to warn Beaver that his dam is too big, but busy Beaver just won't listen.

A Clouded Leopard in the Middle of the Road is an eye-opening introduction to the ecological impacts of roads. Drawing on over ten years of active engagement in the field of road ecology, Darryl Jones sheds light on the challenges roads pose to wildlife—and the solutions taken to address them. One of the most ubiquitous indicators of human activity, roads typically promise development and prosperity. Yet they carry with them the threat of disruption to both human and animal lives. Jones surveys the myriad, innovative ways stakeholders across the world have sought to reduce animal-vehicle collisions and minimize road-crossing risks for wildlife, including efforts undertaken at the famed fauna overpasses of Banff National Park, the Singapore Eco-Link, \"tunnels of love\" in the Australian Alps, and others. Along the way, he acquaints readers with concepts and research in road ecology, describing the field's origins and future directions. Engaging and accessible, A Clouded Leopard in the Middle of the Road brings to the foreground an often-overlooked facet of humanity's footprint on earth.

Text organized into posters, newspaper articles, and comics teaches young readers about ten common invasive species from around the world, exploring how they got into new ecosystems, the damage they've caused, how scientists are working to contain them, and what average people can do to help.

The Edwards Aquifer in south-central Texas is the primary source of water for one of the fastest growing cities in the United States, San Antonio, and it also supplies irrigation water to thousands of farmers and livestock operators. It is also is the source water for several springs and rivers, including the two largest freshwater springs in Texas that form the San Marcos and Comal Rivers. The unique habitat afforded by these spring-fed rivers has led to the development of species that are found in no other locations on Earth. Due to the potential for variations in spring flow caused by both human and natural causes, these species are continuously at risk and have been recognized as endangered under the federal Endangered Species Act (ESA). In an effort to manage the river systems and the aquifer that controls them, the Edwards Aquifer Authority and stakeholders have developed a Habitat Conservation Plan (HCP). The HCP seeks to effectively manage the river-aquifer system to ensure the viability of the ESA-listed species in the face of drought, population growth, and other threats to the aquifer. The National Research Council was asked to assist in this process by reviewing the activities around implementing the HCP. Review of the Edwards Aquifer Habitat Conservation Plan: Report 1 is the first stage of a three-stage study. This report reviews the scientific efforts that are being conducted to help build a better understanding of the river-aquifer system and its relationship to the ESA-listed species. These efforts, which include monitoring and modeling as well as research on key uncertainties in the system, are designed to build a better understanding of how best to manage and protect the system and the endangered species. Thus, the current report is focused specifically on a review of the hydrologic modeling, the ecological modeling, the water quality and biological monitoring, and the Applied Research Program. The fundamental question that Review of the Edwards Aquifer Habitat Conservation Plan: Report 1 addresses is whether the scientific initiatives appropriately address uncertainties and fill knowledge gaps in the river-aquifer system and the species of concern. It is hoped that the successful completion of these scientific initiatives will ultimately lead the Edwards Aquifer Authority to an improved understanding of how to manage the system and protect these species.

Outlines twelve tips for protecting animals in danger, including raising money for conservation groups and planting a butterfly habitat, and explains how each action can help save endangered species.

The Sichuan takin ( Budorcas tibetanus ) and the golden takin ( Budorcas bedfordi ) are endemic to China. Studies of their habitat ecology have attracted attention, but dedicated reviews of the topic have not been published. To fill this gap, research advances on the habitat ecology of these takin species were reviewed based on published journal papers from 2001–2022, covering habitat selection and use, as well as habitat assessment and protection. Habitat selection and use by the takins received the most frequent reports in a few protected areas, such as the Tangjiahe Nature Reserve in Sichuan and the Foping Nature Reserve in Shaanxi. Higher herb cover characterized some of the Sichuan takin habitats, while some of the golden takin population exhibited seasonal altitude migration. The focus on habitat assessment and protection differed between the two species. Studying the habitat of the Sichuan takin involves the relationship between its habitat and the protected areas and habitat status in various ranges while studying the habitat of the golden takin involves habitat distribution and change, protection effects, and corridor planning. Some issues worthy of consideration in future research are proposed, including basic habitat information, impacts of human disturbances, habitat restoration, and theoretical, independent, and comprehensive studies on both takins. Habitat conservation frameworks should be formulated for both takins to improve protection and restoration effects. This review provides convenient information to help understand the habitat characteristics of the two takins and is a reference for future research.

Exploring Spatial Scale in Geography provides a conceptual and practical guide to issues of spatial scale in all areas of the physical and social sciences.  Scale is at the heart of geography and other spatial sciences. Whether dealing with geomorphological processes, population movements or meteorology, a consideration of spatial scale is vital. Exploring Spatial Scale in Geography takes a practical approach with a core focus on real world problems and potential solutions. Links are made to appropriate software environments with an associated website providing access to guidance material which outlines how particular problems can be approached using popular GIS and spatial data analysis software. This book offers alternative definitions of spatial scale, presents approaches for exploring spatial scale and makes use of a wide variety of case studies in the physical and social sciences to demonstrate key concepts, making it a key resource for anyone who makes use of geographical information.

The Three Gorges Reservoir is one of the largest reservoirs in the world. Previous studies uncovered longitudinal changes in fish assemblages among riverine, transitional, and lacustrine zones, but whether they vary at small-scale habitats and how tributaries contribute to fish conservation is poorly understood. We selected three neighboring tributaries with different habitat characteristics within and among tributaries and hypothesized that the small-scale habitat heterogeneity within or among tributaries could shape spatial and temporal variation in fish assemblages. We analyzed spatial (among tributaries, pelagic versus benthic, lower versus upper reach) and seasonal patterns of fish assemblage and their relationship with the environment. Piscivorous, limnophilic, and mid-pelagic species dominated the fish assemblage in different habitats. Fish assemblage structure varied spatially between lower and upper reaches and among tributaries. Fish assemblages also varied seasonally, mainly related to environmental variability (i.e., water depth, water temperature, pH, specific conductivity, riparian slope, and vegetation coverage). Catch per unit effort was similar between pelagic and benthic habitats but exhibited horizontal and seasonal changes. The most influential environmental variables were water depth, water temperature, dissolved oxygen, and pH. Our results supported the hypothesis, and indicated that we should protect tributaries that provide important areas for fish diversity in large reservoirs.

Uluguru Mountains is one of the Eastern Arc Mountain blocks that stretch from Taita Hills in Kenya to Udzungwa Mountains in south-central Tanzania. The Uluguru Mountains contain several forest fragments, which are recognized as important biodiversity hotspots. The population pressure and encroachment threatens their biodiversity values. This study analyses (1) species richness, diversity, floristic similarity and structure of trees species (DBH ? 10 cm) in the forest fragments in Uluguru, (2) Understory species composition and natural regeneration of the fragments (3) changes in species richness, diversity and tree density along the edge-interior gradient in the fragments and (4) indigenous tree use, use values and human population impacts on tree density and species richness in Uluguru forest fragments.In the overstory layer (i.e. DBH ? 10 cm) examination of 900 individual trees revealed 101 species, 73 genera and 31 families. Fabaceae and Moraceae were the most speciose and important families in terms of familial importance value (FIV). The five species with the highest species importance value (IVI) were Ehretia amoena, Khaya anthotheca, Synsepalum cerasiferum, Sorindeia madagascariensis, Diospyros squarrosa, all accounting for 27 % of the total IVI. Of the total observed species, 31 % had up to two individuals while 15 % occurred only once in all the sample plots. The studied forests differed significantly in their species richness (26 - 93 species ha-1), tree density (85 - 390 stems ha-1), basal area (3 - 24 m2 ha-1) and diversity indices (Shannon-Wiener 2.50 - 4.02; Fishers 6.8 - 35.5; and Simpson 9.4 - 63.1). The forest fragment size revealed positive correlation with species richness (r = 0.92), trees density (r = 0.66) and basal area (r = 0.28). In general, the larger forests (Kilengwe and Kimboza) had higher species richness, which might be due to high environmental heterogeneity within the forests. However, the small fragments should be given priority in conservation to avoid loss of species. The dendogram revealed four clusters of forests with low similarity between them, the closer the forests were to one another, the more similar in floristic composition. The significant negative association between geographical distance and floristic similarity among forest pairs was confirmed by correlation test (r = -0.43, p < 0.001). Although, all studied forests showed good regeneration pattern, more attention on conservation should be paid to rare, threatened species and those with lower IVI.In the understory layer, a total of 2119 seedlings, 1798 small saplings and 2585 large saplings representing 91, 102 and 104 species belonging to 28, 32 and 30 families respectively were recorded in the studied forests. Fabaceae and Moraceae were the most speciose families in the the entire understory compartments. Sorindeia madagascariensis, Scorodophloeus fischeri, Diospyros squarrosa and Ehretia amoena appeared in the top ten species with the highest IVI in all the three compartments. The forests varied significantly in terms of their species richness, diversity indices and structural characteristics in all the three compartments. The overall frequency distribution of the species from the three forest compartments revealed high species richness in the two lower frequency classes (i.e. < 20 % and 20-40 %) in all the forests indicating a high degree of floristic heterogeneity and the presence of rare species within the forests. Also, this study revealed the understory layer being richer than overstory in all the forest fragments. The overall mean species richness for understory was 59 species ha-1 while overstory had 47 species ha-1. The Sørensen coefficients of similarity between understory and overstory layers ranged from 0.53 to 0.77, and were higher within fragments than between them. Though, all forests displayed good regeneration, some species like Dalbergia melanoxylon, Pterocarpus angolensis, Pandanus rabaiensis, Millettia sacleuxii, Pouteria altissima, Allanblackia stuhlmannii revealed poor regeneration, hence require due attention.The variation of species richness, diversity and density of tree community along edge-interior gradient were studied in all the surveyed forests. A total of 198 individual ha-1 representing mature trees, 566 individuals ha-1 large saplings, 6309 individual ha-1 small saplings and 46469 individuals ha-1 seedlings were encountered in all the seven studied forests. In general, the mean species richness, diversity and tree density in the interior plots of the overstory, large saplings and small sapling layers were significantly higher than edge and intermediate plots that did not differ appreciably. The regression slopes of the interior plots in overstory and large sapling were significantly higher than edge and intermediate plots. For small saplings and seedlings, interior and intermediate did not differ appreciably in their regression slopes but were considerably higher than edge. The comparison of species richness, diversity and density within each categorical distance showed significant variation in all the forest layers. The relationship between tree size classes and tree density from edge and interior plots in all the forests revealed exponential decay patterns. This implies that some trees die due to competitive advantage from crowding and suppression as the stand approach a limiting number of trees of a given size that may coexist within a given area. The findings of this section concluded that the interior of the forests and the edges/intermediate were contrasting habitats. Moreover, long-term study is needed to investigate how microclimatic conditions affect species richness, composition and density within the studied forest regions.Assessment of tree uses and use values was carried out using structured questionnaires. A total of 42 species belonging to 38 genera representing 19 families were listed by respondents as being useful for their livelihoods. Of these species, 88 % were listed to serve more than one function. Milicia excelsa, Albizia gummifera and Annona senegalensis had higher total use values among the identified species whereas Sterculia quinqueloba had the lowest use value. 64 % of listed species are used for both firewood and charcoal making. Species used for timber and medicinal purposes accounted for 45 % and 40 % of the identified species respectively. Species used for building poles and making domestic utensils accounted for 55 % each while those used for carving works and fodder, accounted 40 % and 29 % of all listed species respectively. Moreover, this study revealed that the human population surrounding the forests was negatively correlated with forest size (r = -0.90), species richness (r = -0.79) and tree density (r = -0.76). The results suggest that the increase of human population will continue putting pressure to forest resources because of increased demand for more land for agriculture, charcoal and firewood for fuel, timber and poles for building puroposes and medicines for their health. Moreover, the study suggests that indigenous knowledge is vital ingredient in the on-going effort to reverse the trend of environmental degradation in the Uluguru forests by integrating it into community based management plans. Also, there is a need to control human population in the villages surrounding the forests for the purpose of reducing pressure towards forests resources.In general, the study revealed that habitat fragmentation is associated with drastic changes in the species composition and structure of the forests. If fragmentation process continues, the ability of forest remnants to sustain their original biodiversity and ecological processes will be considerably reduced. Thus, protection of these fragments needs to be prioritized.

1. The question of when to monitor and when to act is fundamental to applied ecology and notoriously difficult to answer. Value of information (VOI) theory holds great promise to help answer this question for many management problems. However, VOI theory in applied ecology has only been demonstrated in singledecision problems and has lacked explicit links between monitoring and management costs. 2. Here, we present an extension of VOI theory for solving multi-unit decisions of whether to monitor before managing, while explicitly accounting for monitoring costs. Our formulation helps to choose the optimal monitoring/management strategy among groups of management units (e.g. species, habitat patches) and can be used to examine the benefits of partial and repeat monitoring. 3. To demonstrate our approach, we use case-simulated studies of single-species protection that must choose among potential habitat areas, and classification and management of multiple species threatened with extinction. We provide spreadsheets and code to illustrate the calculations and facilitate application. Our case studies demonstrate the utility of predicting the number of units with a given outcome for problems with probabilities of discrete states and the efficiency of having a flexible approach to manage according to monitoring outcomes. 4. Synthesis and applications. The decision to act or gather more information can have serious consequences for management. No decision, including the decision to monitor, is risk-free. Our multi-unit expansion of Value of Information theory can reduce the risk in monitoring/acting decisions for many applied ecology problems. While our approach cannot account for the potential value of discovering previously unknown threats or ecological processes via monitoring programmes, it can provide quantitative guidance on whether to monitor before acting, and which monitoring/management actions are most likely to meet management objectives.