Achatina fulica (giant African land snail).

The giant African land snail A. fulica is a fast-growing polyphagous plant pest that has been introduced from its native range in East Africa to many parts of the world as a commercial food source (for humans, fish and livestock) and as a novelty pet. It easily becomes attached to any means of transport or machinery at any developmental stage, is able to go into a state of aestivation in cooler conditions and so is readily transportable over distances. Once escaped it has managed to establish itself and reproduce prodigiously in tropical and some temperate locations. As a result, A. fulica has been classified as one of the world's top 100 invasive alien species by The World Conservation Union, IUCN (ISSG, 2003).

A survey of user attitudes towards the proposed IUCN Green Status of Species

The passing of the IUCN Resolution 041 - Development of objective criteria for a Green List of species, ecosystems and protected areas - at the IUCN World Conservation Congress in Jeju Island, South Korea in September 2012 provided an important indication of government and NGO support for the principle of the Green Status of Species. However, there was no indication of what the GSS method would look like. Since then, those details have been worked out by technical specialists. The objective of the survey was to gather opinions and input from as wide a range of potential users of the GSS as possible. Results will be used in further development of the GSS methodology and, probably more importantly, in deciding when and how it will be applied.

The power of nonfiction life story narratives to communicate conservation to a non-specialist audience

Without significant adaptation and response to climate change and environmental destruction, human behaviour has the capacity to lead to our eventual demise. However, in our fast-paced media world, conservation messages and warnings are often ignored by the public, politicians and commercial concerns. This article proposes that long-form nonfiction narratives are an important communication tool for the dissemination of conservation science in the Anthropocene. Furthermore, it suggests that future-focused nature biographies have the capacity to present science in a way that is accessible to a non-specialist audience, evoking the necessary responsibilities and stewardship outside of scientific circles. This article compares biographical exemplars with the author’s practice-led research exploring the life of Malaysian biologist and tropical ecologist, Dr Wong Siew Te.

Wetland and Biodiversity Hotspot Conservation

Wetland conservation is aimed at protecting and preserving areas where water exists (e.g., swamps, marshes, blogs, etc.). These wetlands make up 6% of the Earth's surface. Freshwater wetlands are utilised for cultivation of paddy, for basic water needs, for fishing, as a source of food by habitat loss, one main reason being anthropogenic activities. Wetland ecosystems are a home to birds and aquatic fauna. They are the breeding and nursing grounds for these species. They are the most productive ecosystem on Earth. Apart from this, wetlands are important as they reduce the impact of floods, control pollution, and also regulate climate. On our planet, there are regions that have large number of endemic species. Most of these are heavily threatened biodiversity hotspots. Thirty-five such regions have been identified in the world. Conservation strategies need to be framed and implemented in a very effective way and with no further wastage of time before the wetlands and hotspots disappear completely.

Optimization of air chamber in solar air collector

Recently, environmental problems have become more acute. In 1980, the International Union for the Conservation of Nature (IUCN) prepared the World Conservation Strategy. This document interpreted the term “sustainable development” as an inseparable link between social development and nature conservation. And already in 1992, after the United Nations Conference on Environment and Development, the concept of sustainable development gained a leading status. The conference materials determined that sustainable development is a development of a society that meets the needs of today without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs. Therefore, being aware of the need for energy conservation, there is increasing emphasis on the use of solar energy throughout the world to generate electricity and heat.