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Published on: February 11, 2020
FORUM: Using the Best Scientific Data for Endangered Species Conservation
1Consulting in the Public Interest, 109 Luz Place, Davis, California 95616 USA
Environmental Management
|September 29, 1999
Summary
The Endangered Species Act requires rigorous scientific standards for conservation, including risk and ecosystem assessments, and independent scientific review. Applying these standards ensures data quality and effective species protection.
Area of Science:
- Environmental Law
- Conservation Biology
- Ecological Risk Assessment
Background:
- The Endangered Species Act mandates the use of the best scientific data for species and ecosystem conservation.
- Environmental laws and judicial rulings necessitate assessments aligned with modern ecological research standards.
Purpose of the Study:
- To outline the essential scientific standards required for Endangered Species Act "take" decisions.
- To highlight the infrequent application of these standards and propose improvements for effective conservation.
Main Methods:
- The study outlines eight key components for "take" assessments under the Endangered Species Act.
- These include critical habitat designation, risk and ecosystem assessments, adaptive management, uncertainty analysis, and independent scientific review.
Main Results:
- These rigorous scientific standards are rarely applied in environmental "take" assessments.
- Lack of cooperation among scientists, consultants, and agencies hinders the implementation of these standards.
Conclusions:
- Independent scientific review is crucial for ensuring "take" decisions meet appropriate scientific standards.
- Consistent application of these standards is necessary for environmental laws to effectively impact conservation outcomes.
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