Before we can determine if an ecosystem or species is in need of conservation action, we need to know basic facts about it. Of key necessity to this simply knowing which species occur in a given region, what micro-habitats they associate with, how they fit into the local foodweb (including people's diets too), and whether a given species is found in nearby habitats too. Although my research focus is strongly academic, my work has always included conservation and applied sciences - from fisheries management to biodiversity surveys and exploration...