Editor’s Note

In this issue, we explore how human actions—intentional or not — have reshaped ecosystems globally. From the lasting environmental impacts of settler colonialism in Laikipia, Kenya, to the rich biodiversity of the Kutch district’s desert landscape in India, these articles illuminate both the fragility and resilience of natural habitats.

We spotlight conservation challenges ranging from the invasive American bullfrog in wetland ecosystems to the reintroduction of three-spined stickleback to restored habitats for which they are no longer adapted. Both stories underscore the importance of holistic conservation efforts that consider ecosystem dynamics as well as contemporary evolutionary processes.

Our coverage extends beyond terrestrial realms, as we examine Costa Rica’s unique tropical fjord and its endemic Yellow Sea Snake. And we also embark on a journey with monarch butterflies, exploring their incredible two-way migration and citizen science efforts that have helped answer critical questions about this unique phenomenon.

Rounding out this issue, we reflect on the ethical responsibility of researchers using cutting-edge imaging technologies to democratise science and improve the accessibility of this technology for conservation.

— Devathi Parashuram