Broad concern about the decline of wildlife species began in the late 19th century, instigated in part by massive commercial slaughter of such species as the passenger pigeon, and the decimation of many waterbird colonies for plumes to adorn women’s hats. These early concerns lead to such actions as the passage of the Lacey Act3 in 1900 and establishment of the National Wildlife Refuge System in 1903. By the mid-20th century, it was apparent that many wildlife species were in decline from a variety of causes. This included the bald eagle, the nation’s symbol, whose reproduction was plummeting due to pesticide-related thinning of its eggshells. As awareness of environmental problems increased, a host of seminal federal legislation was passed in the late 1960s and early 1970s, including the Clean Water Act, Clean Air Act, and National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA). The first endangered species protection act was adopted by Congress in 1966, and later replaced by the more expansive Endangered Species Act (ESA) of 1973.
Ensuring the continued survival of the nation’s species requires that we have a sound understanding of how they are faring. That is, which species are widespread, abundant, and secure, and which are rare or declining, and at increased risk of extinction? Assessing a plant or animal’s conservation status—or extinction risk—requires accurate information about the species’ distribution, its population numbers, trends in those numbers, and any threats placing stress on those populations.
3 The Lacey Act of 1900 provided a variety of protections for flora and fauna. It prohibited game taken illegally in one state from being shipped across state boundaries contrary to the laws of the state where it was taken.
Next Page: Endangered Species Act Listings
Author
Bruce Stein, Ph.D., Chief Scientist and Associate Vice President
National Wildlife Federation
State of the Nation: The Condition of Biodiversity Across the United States Sections
State of the Nation: The Condition of Biodiversity Across the United States
How is America’s Biodiversity Faring?
Endangered Species Act Listings
NatureServe Conservation Status Assessments