Chapter 12: The Legal Foundations of Conservation Biology Flashcards
is a U.S. law passed to protect plants and animals at risk of extinction. It helps recover species like the bald eagle and gray wolf by protecting their habitats and limiting harmful activities. The goal is to prevent extinction and ensure these species can thrive for future generations.
Endangered Species Act
is a U.S. law that requires federal agencies to consider the environmental impacts of their actions before making decisions. It ensures public involvement and transparency through processes like Environmental Assessments (EAs) and Environmental Impact Statements (EISs). NEPA’s goal is to protect the environment while promoting sustainable development.
National Environmental Policy Act
Strengths of NEPA:
- Promotes environmental protection by requiring federal agencies to assess impacts.
- Encourages public participation and transparency in decision-making.
- Helps identify and mitigate potential environmental harm before actions occur
Weaknesses of NEPA:
- Can cause delays and increased costs due to lengthy review processes.
- Lacks enforcement power to ensure agencies follow recommendations.
- Some argue it is used to unnecessarily block projects for non-environmental reasons.
Major US Environmental and Natural Resource Laws affecting Biological Conservation Examples
- National Environmental Policy Act
2.Endangered Species Act - Marine Mammal Protection
- Wild Bird Conservation Act
- Lacey Act
A mechanism to prevent continued loss of habitat for endangered species and reduce conflicts with private landowners.
Habitat Conservation Plan
was defined as take that is “incidental to, and not the purpose of, carrying out an Fig. 12.8 The red-cockaded woodpecker (Leuconotopicus borealis), an endangered species that has been the subject of intense management through habitat conservation plans. (Photo courtesy of US Fish and Wildlife Service)
506 12 The Legal Foundations of Conservation Biology otherwise lawful activity.” To be granted such a take permit, the applicant, whether corporate or individual, must first prepare and submit a conservation plan.
Incidental take
The ____ was intended to increase landowner cooperation and make the protection of endangered
species more effective, but critics were quick to attack it
no-surprises policy
are contracts under which a landowner agrees to actively maintain suitable habitat ) for a predetermined number of a species equal to the number present on the site when the agreement was formulated.
Safe harbor agreements
Strengths of the Endangered Species Act (ESA):
- Protects species at risk of extinction and their habitats.
- Has successfully recovered species like the bald eagle and American alligator.
- Encourages conservation partnerships with states and private entities.
Weaknesses of the ESA:
- Can be seen as restrictive, limiting land use and development.
- Recovery can be slow, with some species remaining listed for decades.
- Limited funding and resources make it difficult to address all species in need.
was a significant global meeting where countries came together to address environmental challenges. It led to the establishment of the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP), the first international agency dedicated to environmental protection. The conference also produced principles and recommendations to guide nations in preserving the environment, laying the foundation for future agreements on sustainable resource management and conservation.
Stockholm Conference
is an international agreement that protects endangered plants and animals by regulating their trade. It ensures that international trade does not harm the survival of these species.
CITES
refers to binding legal agreements, such as treaties and conventions, that are enforceable under international law.
Hard law
refers to non-binding agreements or guidelines, like declarations or principles, that influence international norms and behaviors over time without formal enforcement.
Soft law
