5.9: Policies Protecting Biodiversity

Endangered Species Protection

In the United States, the Endangered Species Act (ESA) protects species that are at risk of extinction. Once a species is listed as threatened or endangered, government agencies develop plans to help protect and recover populations.

California also has its own California Endangered Species Act (CESA), which protects threatened and endangered species within the state.

A local example of endangered species protection is the San Diego fairy shrimp (Branchinecta sandiegonensis), a federally endangered species that depends on seasonal wetlands called vernal pools found in parts of San Diego County (figure \(\PageIndex{a}\).

Marine Protection

The Marine Mammal Protection Act protects whales, dolphins, seals, sea lions, and other marine mammals from hunting, harassment, and other harmful activities.

California also protects marine biodiversity through a network of Marine Protected Areas (MPAs). For example, the South La Jolla State Marine Reserve protects marine habitats near La Jolla Cove and helps conserve kelp forests, fish populations, and other marine life.

International Conservation

Some species are threatened by international trade. The Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species (CITES) is an international agreement that regulates or prohibits trade in certain plants and animals to reduce the risk of extinction.

Summary

Laws and policies are important conservation tools, but they work best when combined with habitat protection, ecosystem restoration, sustainable resource use, and public support for conservation efforts.

Attributions

This page was heavily revised and rewritten by Erin Rempala and contains adapted content originally authored by Melissa Ha and Rachel Schleiger and is licensed CC BY-NC-SA 4.0. 

Modified by Melissa Ha from the following sources:

• Preserving Biodiversity from Environmental Biology by Matthew R. Fisher (licensed under CC-BY(opens in new window))
• Threatened and Endangered Species by California Department of Fish and Wildlife (public domain)
• Marine Mammal Protection by NOAA Fisheries (public domain)