Policies for conserving biodiversity have been set aside in a number of important pieces of specific U.S. legislation

Question

Explain two pieces of legislation that directly address biodiversity preservation issues, making sure to discuss how the legislation attempts to accomplish its goals.

Answer 1

The Wilderness Act of 1964 and the Endangered Species Act of 1973 are two pieces of legislation designed specifically to preserve biodiversity. The Wilderness Act created a category of federal lands in which "the Earth and its community of life are untrammeled by man." This act prohibits logging, mining, and limits new road construction in these areas. The current wilderness system is extremely important to the conservation of biodiversity. In fact, these lands form the core habitat of over 40% of the species that are listed as threatened or endangered in the United States. The Endangered Species Act was intended "to provide a means whereby the ecosystems upon which endangered and threatened species depend may be conserved, and to provide a program for the conservation of such species." This act prohibits the taking (no capturing, hunting, collection, or harassing) of any threatened or endangered species, regardless of land ownership. The ESA has played a significant role in slowing or halting declines in populations of many species (for example, bald eagle); however, its major criticism by environmentalists is that no action to conserve or restore habitat is actually mandated until a species is listed as threatened or endangered. Often times, this may be too late.