Con&Mgmt Bio Res ((final))

the lacey act (1900)

first federal conservation law aimed at preventing the illegal transportation of wildlife across state lines; motivated in part by the extinction of the passenger pigeon

the lacey act amendments of 2008

expanded the original law to include the prohibition of trading illegally sourced plants and plant products, targeting illegal logging and ensuring legal sourcing for imports

the migratory bird treaty act (1918)

protects migratory birds, their eggs, nests, and feathers, prohibiting unauthorized taking and limiting hunting exemptions under strict regulations

The Wildlife Restoration Act (Pittman-Robertson Act) (1937)

established an excise tax on forearms and ammunition to fund wildlife conservation, requiring states to match federal funds for collaborative conservation efforts; states use money to find Wildlife Management Areas (WMAs) and research

The Bald and Golden Eagle Protection Act (1940)

prohibits harming eagles and their habitats, reflecting the need for stricter protections due to significant population declines from hunting and environmental factors

Federal Aid in Sport Fish Restoration Act (Dingell-Johnson Act) (1950)

mirrors the Pittman-Robertson Act, imposing a tax on fishing equipment to support fish population restoration and habitat improvement

1970s environmental policy era

largely significant; introduced pollution-focused legislation such as the Clean Air and Clean Water Act alongside conservation-focused laws like the Endangered Species Act (ESA)

National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) (1970)

mandated federal agencies to assess environmental impacts, ensuring biological and ecological considerations in federal projects

Marine Mammal Protection Act (MMPA) (1972)

prohibits the take of marine mammals in US waters, addressing population declines due to commercial whaling and sealing

Endangered Species Act (ESA) (1973)

serves as a cornerstone of US wildlife conservation, protecting species at risk of extinction and their habitats, prohibiting harm or harassment of listed species

Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act (1976)

aimed to ensure the sustainability of marine fisheries, governing management practices to prevent overfishing and rebuild overfished stocks, enhancing sustainable fishery practices

actions of the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act

extended jurisdiction from 12 to 200 miles offshore, allowing for better management of marine resources; created eight regional fishery management councils responsible for developing fishery management plans tailored to local needs

Fish and Wildlife Conservation Act (1980)

provides financial assistance to states for the management on non-game wildlife species; states must develop a Comprehensive Conservation Plan (CCP) to receive federal funding, including research and monitoring of non-game species to assess their status and trends

Dolphin Protection Consumer Information Act (1990)

established the 'Dolphin-Safe' label to promote responsible fishing practices and reduce dolphin deaths in tuna fisheries; required modifications to fishing gear, including the use of pingers to deter dolphins and weak links in nets for escape

US agencies involved in biodiversity conservation

US fish and wildlife service (USFWS), national marine fisheries service (NMFS), national oceanic and atmospheric administration (NOAA), environmental protection act (EPA), bureau of land management (BLM), US geological survey (USGS), army corps of engineers (USACE), natural resource conservation service (NRCS)

US Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS)

enforces key legislation; lacy act (terrestrial and freshwater), migratory bird treaty act, bald eagle and golden eagle protection act, endangered species act (terrestrial and freshwater), and managed funding from the pittman-robertson act, dingell-johnson act, and wildlife conservation act

National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) and/or NOAA fisheries

responsible for the conservation of marine species and habitats, enforcing legislation; lacey act (marine), marine mammal protection act (MMPA), endangered species act (marine), magnuson-stevens act, dolphin protection consumer information act

Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)

enforces pollution-focused laws such as the Clean Air Act and Clean Water Act

Bureau of Land Management (BLM)

manages approximately 245 million acres of public land, mostly in the western US, for multiple uses (MUSYA) including energy and minerals (oil, gas, coal, mining), grazing, wildlife habitat and conservation

US Geological Survey (USGS)

provides scientific data, research, and monitoring to inform conservation policies and management decisions

Army Corps of Engineers (USACE)

while primarily focused on water-related infrastructure (dams, levees) also plays a role in conservation through wetland restoration, modification of dams to allow fish migration, and Clean Water Act permitting for dredging and filling in US water

Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS)

helps farmers, ranchers, and forest owners conserve water and soil resources; runs the Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQUIP), providing financial cost-sharing to help landowners implement sustainable practices such as pollinator habitat or implementing IPM

uniqueness and innovations of the Endangered Species Act (ESA)

covers both domestic and international species; protects critical habitats, recognizing that habitat destruction is a primary cause of species decline, allows for consideration os species/subspecies/distinct population segments (DPS), empowers citizens and NGOs to petition for species listings and to sue for compliance

ESA impact

established a framework for the USFWS and NOAA fisheries to list species based on the best available data, has led to the protection of over 1,000 species demonstrating effectiveness; shifted from reactionary penalties to proactive measures, mandating recovery plans based on scientific assessments

endangered

any species in danger of extinction throughout all or a significant portion of its range, necessitating immediate protective measures

threatened

any species likely to become endangered in the foreseeable future, indicating a need for monitoring and potential intervention

critical habitat

specific geographic areas essential for the conservation of a listed species, which must be protected from destruction

criteria for listing species through the ESA

assigning a designation of criterion 1-5

ESA criteria 1

present or threatened destruction, modification, or curtailment of habitat range

ESA criteria 2

over-utilized for commercial, recreational, scientific, or educational purposes

ESA criteria 3

disease or predation affecting species variability

ESA criteria 4

inadequacy of existing regulatory mechanisms to protect the species

ESA criteria 5

other natural or manmade factors affecting continued existence

petition process of listing an endangered species

petition initiation, 90-day finding, status review, proposed rule (12-mo standing), public comment period, public hearings, final rule and species listing, critical habitat designation, recovery planning, periodic review

petition initiation

a species assessment can be initiated by a formal petition from the public, organizations, or scientists, requesting a species by listed as endangered or threatened

90-day findings

the agency conducts an initial review of the petition to determine if substantial information exists to warrant further investigation; the review should be completed in 90 days

status review

if the 90-day finding is positive (meaning the agency found that there is substantial information to investigate the species status) the agency moves to an in-depth status review; a comprehensive biological assessment in conducted, analyzing population trends, habitat conditions, threats, and conservation efforts

proposed rule (12-month finding)

if the status assessment determines the species may be endangered or threatened, a proposed rule if publish in the Federal Register, inviting public comments and detailing the species' status and threats

public comment period

stakeholders, including the public and scientists, can submit comment on proposed listing, ensuring community involvement in conservation efforts

public hearings

the agency may hold hearings to gather additional input, fostering transparency and collaboration in the decision-making process

final rule and species listing

after review of public comments, a final rule and listing is published and documented in the Federal Register; the listing triggers various protective measures under the ESA, including habitat conservation efforts

critical habitat designation

occurs concurrently or after a species is listed, identifying areas essential for conservation; can lead to restrictions on land use to prevent habitat degradation

recovery planning

once listed, the agency develops a recovery plan, outlining actions needed to restore the species population

periodic review

species listings are reviewed every five years; if the species recovers in that time, it may be down listed from endangered to threatened, or delisted altogether

section 7 of ESA: interagency cooperation

prohibits federal agency projects that may harm endangered species, emphasizing the need for interagency cooperation; federal agencies must consult with USFWS/NOAA prior to taking action if it may affect an endangered species

harm definition, under section 7 of ESA

broadened to include habitat modification or degradation, increasing scope of protection

impact of section 7 of the ESA

by 1979 over 4.500 potential conflicts between endangered species and federal projects were identified; most conflicts were resolved through project design adjustment, demonstrating the effectiveness of the consultation process

section 9 of ESA: prohibition of taking

prohibits taking of endangered species, applying to all individuals and entities (not just federal actions); aims to prevent direct and indirect harm to endangered species, ensuring their survival -- roadblock nature

take

any attempt to harass, harm, pursue, hunt, shoot, wound, kill, trap, capture, or collect, or to attempt to engage in any such conduct

Snail Darter Case (1978)

small fish that ceased construction of the Tellico Dam (a near-complete multi-million dollar dam), leading to a supreme court case upholding the ESA; highlights the tension between economic development and species conservation, though ended up being completed via amendment to a House appropriations bill

1979 Amendment to the ESA

due to the Snail Darter case; created the Endangered Species Act Committee aka God Squad which has the authority to grant exemptions from ESA requirements under specific conditions -- 7 members representing high-ranking official from various federal agencies (majority vote), exemptions can only be granted if action is in the public interest and no reasonable alternatives exist

1982 Amendment to the ESA

also due to Snail Darter, introduced incidental take permits, allowing non-federal entities to take endagnered species under stricter conditions; habitat conservation plans (HCPs) required to ensure conservation efforts are integrated into development projects

the timber wars

listing of the Northern Spotted Owel led to restrictions in logging in old growth forests in the Western US, reducing timber harvest by 80% and spurring backlash from the industry; the God Squad was invoked but rejected the exemption to allow logging, setting a precedent that exemptions would be rare

1990s amendment to the ESA

evoked by the timber wars, which included the Safe Harbor Agreements and Candidate Conservation Agreements; incentivized landowners to restore habitats without fear of regulatory backlash, reflected a shift from punitive measures to collaborative conservation strategies

Safe Harbor Agreements

landowners voluntarily agree to take specified steps to restore, improve, or maintain habitat for threatened or endangered species located on their land; landowners take actions to benefit a listed species on their land and the USFWS agrees that no additional restrictions will be imposed on the land use as the species population improves

Candidate Conservation Agreement

a landowner agrees to take actions to benefit a candidate or other non-listed species, and the USFWS agrees that no additional restrictions will be imposed on the land use if the species later becomes listed

birth of national parks

creation of yellowstone marked a radical shift in land management, prioritizing conservation over exploitation; native american tribes were displaced to create the park, highlighting the complex history of land use in the US

Yellowstone National Park

established March 1st, 1872 by President Ulysses S. Grant as the first national park in the world

theodore roosevelt's conservation efforts

known as the 'conservation president,' established five national parks and 150 national forests during his presidency, as well as 53 wildlife sanctuaries, the first being Pelican Island federal bird reservation; enacted the Antiquities Act, allowing presidents to designate national monuments (including the Grand Canyon)

Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC) (1933)

created during the New Deal to improve habitats and infrastructure in national parks and wildlife refuges from 1933-1941; it also addressed social issues by requiring non-discrimination in employment (though faced challenges with segregation)

impact of the Civilian Conservation Corps

its legacy includes significant contributions to the conservation and development of US natural resources

Wilderness Act of 1964

signed into law by Lyndon B Johnson the act defined wilderness and aimed to preserve undeveloped federal lands; wilderness areas allow traditional uses like hunting and fishing while prohibiting roads and commercial activities

national conservation lands

established under the Clinton administration, the lands were created to protect areas of ecological and cultural significance within BLM lands; these lands allow for multiple uses, including grazing and energy development, while prioritizing conservation

types of federally protected areas

national parks, national wildlife refuges, national forests, wilderness areas, conservation lands, national monuments

national parks

managed by the NPA; priorities of visitor enjoyment/safety and ecosystem protection, activities such as hiking and designated camping, and restrictions of no hunting or resource extraction and limited vehicle access

national wildlife refuges

managed by the USFWS; priorities include wildlife habitat first and human recreation second, activities such as limited camping and hunting/fishing, restrictions of no resource extraction except limited human activities such as hunting/fishing under strict regulation

national forests

managed by the USFS; priorities to sustain the health and productivity of forests while allow multiple uses, activities include camping/hunting/fishing/logging, and moderate restrictions on activities varying by location

wilderness areas

managed by various agencies (NPS,USFWS, USFS, BLM) depending on locale; priorities of preserving pristine nature, allowing traditional outdoor activities such as camping/hunting/fishing, restrictions of no motor vehicles, no development, and minimal facilities to maintain the natural environment

conservation lands

managed by the BLM; priorities to protect ecologically and culturally significant landscapes while allowing compatible traditional uses, activities include hunting/fishing and cultural uses by Native Americans, and restrictions of new mining leases, grazing only where compatible with conservation goals

national monuments

managed by multiple agencies depending on locale (NPS,USFWS, USFS, BLM); priorities to protect lands with natural wonders and cultural significance, prioritizing conservation, allowed activities and restrictions vary based on the managing agency, often focusing on preventing damage to irreplaceable resources

overlapping designations

often strategic, allowing for comprehensive conservation and resource management; a national park section may focus on public enjoyment, the monument section protects adjacent groves from logging, the national forest section supports local economies through timber production

state and local protected areas

often allow more recreational activities than federal parks, including hunting/logging while still focusing on conservation; WMAs and non-profit organizations such as The Nature Conservancy also play a role in conservation

The Nature Conservancy

the world's largest land trust; purchases and manages land for ecological preservation

Wildlife Management Areas (WMAs)

funded through the Wildlife Restoration Act, promotes habitat restoration and wildlife-dependent recreation managed by states

challenges of protected areas

not immune to external threats such as climate change, pollution, and invasive species, which can significant'y impact their ecosystems; the term 'protected' implies a need for active management rather than hands-off, necessitating ongoing efforts to control invasive species/manage wildlife populations aka need continuous monitoring to detect environmental contaminants

efforts of protected areas

adaptive management strategies commonly employed in US to respond to challenges, fixed boundaries of areas may hinder species' ability to adapt to climate change, raising questions about the effectiveness of the boundaries; need for wildlife corridors becoming larger, as well as mitigation of human-wildlife conflicts to ensure safety of both parties

transboundary protected areas

species and ecosystems that do not adhere to political boundaries, leading to the establishment of transboundary protected areas that facilitate cross-border conservation efforts; transfrontier parks, transfrontier conservation areas (TFCAs), marine transboundary protected areas, transboundary collaborations

Transfrontier Parks

parks that cross borders and are managed collaboratively

Transfrontier ConservationAreas (TFCAs)

consist of loose networks of protected areas collaborating on conservation projects

Marine Transboundary Protected Areas

protect shared marine ecosystems critical for biodiversity

Transboundary Collaborations

coordinated efforts between countries to manage adjacent protected areas without merging them into a single entity

case studies in international protections

Waterton-Glacier International Peace Park, Kavango Zambezi Transfrontier Conservation Area, Sister Parks Program, Greater Virunga Transboundary Collaboration (GVTC), The Great Green Wall project

Waterton-Glacier International Peace Park

transfrontier park that crosses the US/Canada border; each country manages its side while coordinating on key elements like wildlife corridors and tourism strategies, and joint efforts such as tracking migratory species and fire management -- showcasing the importance of ecological integrity over political boundaries

Kavango Zambezi Transfrontier Conservation Area

a transfrontier conservation area collaboration between five countries in africa who collaborate to create conservation corridors between protected areas to failitate movement of large animals (elephants, etc)

Sister Parks Program

a marine transboundary protected area between the Florida Keys and Cuba that protect the Western Caribbean biological corridor for larval dispersal of coral

Greater Virunga Transboundary Collaboration (GVTC)

a transboundary collaboration that includes Rwanda, Uganda, and the Democratic Republic of the Congo in protecting mountain gorillas through joint anti-poaching patrols and habitat connectivity initiatives

The Great Green Wall project

a transboundary collaboration effort to restore degraded land across 11 african countries to stop desertification along the transition zone between the Sahara and Congo River Basin

the UN Educational Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) role in conservation

designates World Heritage Sites to protect globally significant natural and cultural sites, providing access to funding and technical support for conservation efforts; Biosphere Reserves promote sustainable development by involving local communities in planning and management, balancing biodiversity conservation with human activies

conservation planning

aims to prevent ecological crises before they occur, contrasting with reactive approaches that address issues post-factum; can lead to sustainable development and long-term ecological health, requires collaboration among government/NGOs/local communities to be successful

overview of conservation planning

involves setting priorities based on various ecological metric to ensure effective resource allocation, planning process is crucial for maintaining biodiversity and ecosystem services essential for human survival

global priorities in conservation

different organizations determine differently, and different criteria can lead to different target areas

examples of priority criteria

areas with high species richness, high levels of endemism, high numbers of threatened species, level of threat to the ecosystem, feasibility

endemism

a state in which species are restricted to a single region

roles of NGOs in conservation

fostering international cooperation and setting priorities without state biases; membership unions

notable NGOs

Conservation International, World Wildlife Fund (WWF), The Nature Conservancy (TNC)

membership unions

groups of government and NGOs that work together for a common goal; International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN)

International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN)

sets global conservation standards and defines protected area categories, guiding conservation efforts worldwide; advises policymakers on biodiversity treaties and conservation strategies, IDs IUCN Red List and Key Biodiversity Areas (KBAs)

Key Biodiversity Areas (KBAs)

regions identified for their significant biodiversity to focus conservation efforts

Conservation International

identifies biodiversity hotspots based on endemic species and remaining natural vegetation

World Wildlife Fund (WWF)

prioritizes conservation efforts based on urgency, species diversity, and potential impact