Science and the Endangered Species ActNational Research Council, Commission on Life Sciences, Board on Environmental Studies and Toxicology, Committee on Scientific Issues in the Endangered Species Act National Academies Press, 1995 M10 13 - 288 pages The Endangered Species Act (ESA) is a far-reaching law that has sparked intense controversies over the use of public lands, the rights of property owners, and economic versus environmental benefits. In this volume a distinguished committee focuses on the science underlying the ESA and offers recommendations for making the act more effective. The committee provides an overview of what scientists know about extinctionâ€"and what this understanding means to implementation of the ESA. Habitatâ€"its destruction, conservation, and fundamental importance to the ESAâ€"is explored in detail. The book analyzes:
The book concludes with a look beyond the Endangered Species Act and suggests additional means of biological conservation and ways to reduce conflicts. It will be useful to policymakers, regulators, scientists, natural-resource managers, industry and environmental organizations, and those interested in biological conservation. |
Contents
Executive Summary 1 | |
Introduction 18 | |
Species Extinctions 24 | |
Species Definitions And The Endangered Species Act 46 | |
The Role of Habitat Conservation and Recovery Planning 71 | |
HabitatRelated Standards 89 | |
Conservation Conflicts Between Species 111 | |
Estimating Risk 124 | |
Making ESA Decisions in the Face of Uncertainty 148 | |
Areas of Scientific Uncertainty 179 | |
Beyond the Endangered Species Act 193 | |
A Letter from Congress Requesting ESA Study 207 | |