Our planet has major biological systems knows as ecosystems such as grasslands, savannahs, forests, tundra, alpine, deserts, coastal and oceanic. Scientists have subdivided ecosystems into smaller units with special biological and physical features. Some examples are oasis in deserts, tall grass prairies, wet meadows, alpine meadows, freshwater wetlands, and coastal marshes. Forests are sub-classified in many different categories such as tree species, dry or wet conditions, hot or cold conditions. Habitats are usually considered smaller ecological classes and generally associated with an animal or plant species. For example, low land, wet tropical forests contain a variety of habitats for plants and animals.


PT Explorers will offer a variety of articles and shorter news notes on habitats in all our volumes. We look forward to presenting articles on special and rare species as well as endangered species listed as “red species” by the International Union for conservation of Nature (IUCN). While there are many large mammals and birds listed as endangered that often receive major attention, there are many smaller and lesser known plants and animals threatened with extinction because of habitat loss.