Imperiled Species
Authored By: P. A. Flebbe
Imperiled species are those that are at some risk of extirpation or extinction because they are found in few places (they have limited distributions) or they have few individuals. Many imperiled species are protected by the Endangered Species Act (ESA) of 1973. After a formal review process, species are listed as Threatened and Endangered by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. These species receive federal protection under the ESA.
NatureServe, originally established by The Nature Conservancy, is a network of state Natural Heritage Programs, which also list imperiled species for individual states:
These are generally managed by a state agency, and the states provide some protection for at-risk species. The lists identify federal status, as well as state status and Natural Heritage ranking for species.
In the southern Appalachians, a number of imperiled bird, mammal, reptile, and amphibian species are of concern.
Subsections found in Imperiled Species
- Imperiled Birds : Among the bird species of the southern Appalachians, three are threatened and endangered and six are thought to have viability concerns (SAMAB 1996).
- Imperiled Mammals : Among the mammal species of the southern Appalachians, seven are threatened and endangered and eight are thought to have viability concerns (SAMAB 1996).
- Imperiled Reptiles and Amphibians : Among the reptile and amphibian species of the southern Appalachians, a number of species are threatened and endangered or are thought to have viability concerns (SAMAB 1996).
Encyclopedia ID: p1978
