North Cascades

The Importance of Saving Threatened and Endangered Species

Biodiversity Biological diversity, or biodiversity, is the variety of life on Earth. It refers to the genetic diversity within a species, the variety of the species themselves, and the varieties of ecosystems. The greater the diversity or variety there is in a system, the greater the strength and stability the system has over the long run; diversity strengthens the potential of a population to cope with, or respond to, changes in the environment. Maintaining the diversity of our world through the protection of the threatened and endangered species is a key component for survival on this planet. "At the simplest level, biodiversity is the sum total of all the plants, animals, fungi, and microorganisms in the world, or in a particular area; all of their individual variation; and all of the interactions between them. It is the set of living organisms that make up the fabric of the planet Earth and allow it to function as it does, by capturing energy from the sun and using it to drive all of life's processes; by forming communities of organisms that have, through the several billion years of life's history on Earth, altered the nature of the atmosphere, the soil and the water of our planet through their life activities." (Peter H. Raven. Defining Biodiversity. Nature Conservancy. Jan/Feb 1994. p.11)

The effort to halt human-caused extinctions in the United States is guided by the Endangered Species Act (ESA) of 1973. The ESA defines a "threatened" species as one that is likely to become an endangered species within the foreseeable future throughout all or a significant portion of its range. An "endangered" species is defined as any plant or animal species that is in danger of extinction throughout all or a significant portion of its range. The goal of the ESA is to restore all federally listed threatened and endangered species to a point where they are again viable, self-sustaining members of their ecological communities. Under a Washington State law, the Washington State Department of Fish and Wildlife has lists of species that are threatened, endangered and candidate. The goal of the state program is identical to that of the federal Endangered Species Act, but at the state, rather than the national level. There are many reasons we should save threatened and endangered species and keep a close watch on those candidate species whose populations may be declining. Certain species may have important scientific, medical, agricultural, or industrial uses, known or as yet unknown. Each species plays an ecological role, and we do not know what the ecological consequences to humans or other species dependent on it may be if it is lost to extinction. These "listed" species, like all species, are unique genetic combinations, never to be created again. If they are lost, the genetic resources of Earth are diminished. Furthermore, they may be sensitive to environmental change and can warn us of threats to our environment. Listed species have symbolic importance -- they tell us that all species may become threatened, including ourselves, if we do not preserve a healthy environment. We can enjoy them as interesting and beautiful living beings that share the planet with us. Many people now believe that plants and animals and all parts of the natural world have an inherent right to exist, without reference to their usefulness to humankind. Table of Contents | Next >