Endangered species protections kick in too late, study finds

The Endangered Species Act’s protections often kick in too late to fully recover the declining populations of animals, plants and insects it is designed to

The Endangered Species Act’s protections often kick in too late to fully recover the declining populations of animals, plants and insects it is designed to help, according to a study published in the journal PLoS ONE on Wednesday. 

The researchers who evaluated some 970 cases involving the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service over the past three decades found that species remained on waiting lists for protection far longer than the act intends. When species are finally listed as endangered or threatened, their populations are often so small that they struggle to fully recover. 

The study suggests that the Endangered Species Act, a bedrock tool of conservation, has become bogged down by delays and inaction that are hampering its mission.  

The Ivory-billed woodpecker.David Tipling / Universal Images Group via Getty“Since it was passed in 1973, the Environmental Species Act has served as an inspiration and model for conservation policy,” said Erich Eberhard, a doctoral student at Columbia University and an author of the research. “Our analysis suggests its strength is being undercut by listing too late with too small populations and too little funding.” 

The slow process to list species has rankled conservation organizations for years. 

https://www.nbcnews.com/science/environment/endangered-species-protections-kick-late-study-finds-rcna51966


Post ID: 6c9b915f-a5d3-419c-bd58-c1d4be809176
Rating: 5
Updated: 1 year ago
Your ad can be here
Create Post

Similar classified ads


News's other ads