Endangered Species Act(ESA)

Sutton Bay Elana Yanusz

Period 3

What is the purpose of the ESA?

• The purpose is to protect and recover imperiled species and the ecosystems upon which they depend.

The ESA is…

• A list of endangered– Birds– Fish– Insects– Reptiles– Mammals– Crustaceans

species including– Grasses– Trees– Flowers

Who oversees the ESA?

• The U. S. Fish and Wildlife Service oversees all listing and protection of terrestrial animals and plants as well as fresh water fish.

• The National Marine Fisheries Service oversees marine life.

When was the ESA passed and why?

• The Endangered Species Act was passed by Congress in 1973.

• There were concerns about low populations in some species. These concerns came about due to habitat destruction and overhunting.

Threatened or Endangered?

• Endangered – in danger of extinction in its natural habitat.

• Threatened – likely to become endangered in the future.

• All species of plants and animals except pest insects are eligible for listing as endangered or threatened.

Criteria for being listed as endangered

• Has a large amount of destroyed habitat• Is overhunted by humans• Threatened by diseases or predators• Not enough laws for protection of species• Other man-made factors• One or more = yes then listed

Fun Facts

• There are 1,970 species listed under the ESA.• Of that number 1,361 can be found in the USA

as of 2009.• The number one endangered species is the

Ivory-Billed Woodpecker.• Endangered Species Day is held on the 3rd

Friday of each May.

Work Cited

• http://www.epa.gov/lawsregs/laws/esa.html

• http://www.fws.gov/endangered/laws-policies/index.html

• http://www.nmfs.noaa.gov/pr/laws/esa/

• http://www.nwf.org/Wildlife/Wildlife-Conservation/Understanding-Wildlife-Conservation/Endangered-Species-Act.aspx