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 dry 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.

In the last 200 years, human population has exploded and converted much of the earth’s ecosystems from pristine conditions to highly degraded. Much of the earth’s landscape has been converted to agriculture and grazing land for cattle. Forest have been destroyed for agricultural lands, cities and towns, industrial sites and mining. Little of earth’s original ecosystems remain in pristine condition and set aside for wildlife and forest protected area.

PT Explorers seeks to inform our readers about endangered species of plants and animals around the world. A wide array of protected lands exist to provide home and habitat for an amazing variety of life. National parks, wilderness areas, state conservation lands as well as special lands owned by NGOs will be reported on. The actions of individuals and community based programs to protect special local habitat will be featured. Individuals who have worked hard and made special contributions to protecting habitat at the local level are stories we will cover. We will offer tips and suggestions on how you can take action in your community to protect and conserve habitat where you live. Looking towards the future, we would like to know of land conservation accomplishments in your community that we can tell the world about. Every acre or hectare of habitat set aside for plants and animals is a step in the right direction.