Endangered Species Glossary

Biodiversity

Stands for "Biological Diversity." Biodiversity exists when many different species live in the same environment. Biologists and ecologists agree that biodiversity is necessary for a healthy world. Without biodiversity, the environment can break down. But when species become extinct, there is less and less biodiversity.

Endangered

An endangered species is on the verge of extinction. Unless something is done to help the species, it is believed that the species will disappear forever.

Endangered Species Act

Passed in 1973, the Endangered Species Act is the law that decides what plants and animals are endangered of becoming extinct, and what should be done about it.

Extinction

The loss of all members of a species. When a species goes extinct, it can never come back.

Habitat

The place where an animal naturally lives.

Petition

A formal written request that the Fish and Wildlife Service investigates to determine if an animal or plant should be placed on the Endangered or Threatened Species Lists.

Recovery Plans

Recovery plans are created to save endangered plants and animals from becoming extinct. The recovery plans attempt to make the species stable and increase in numbers.

A recovery plan includes four things:

  1. A description of the species' current situation,
  2. A recovery objective—like the number of members the species should have in order to be stable,
  3. A schedule of what things must be done to meet the recovery objectives,
  4. A list of outside reviews of the plan to be sure that the plan works.

Unfortunately, recovery plans aren't always carried out, so sometimes great recovery plans are created, but never used.

In addition, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service may decide that no recovery plan it could create would ever help. If this is so, then they will not create a plan. A Regional Director who is in charge of the place where the endangered species lives decides whether to have a recovery plan created. If a plan is to be created, he or she appoints a recovery team.

The recovery team members must decide on the recovery plan. Often, there are disagreements. The U.S Fish and Wildlife Service can give guidance and try to resolve disputes.

There is no timeline for drafting the recovery plan, and sometimes it can take a long time to finish. Before the plan is finalized, there is a time period when the general public can comment.

Representative

A member of the U.S. House of Representatives. Representatives are hired based on the number of people in a state. States with more people have more representatives. You can write to your representative at http://www.house.gov/writerep/. You can find more information about the House, find voting histories, or write to your representative at http://clerkweb.house.gov/.

For news on animal-related laws that are being voted on in your state, visit the ASPCA's Lobby section.

Sanctuary

A place where animals can live in peace and safety.

Senator

A member of the U.S. Senate. Each state has two senators, regardless of the size of the state. Like representatives, senators are legislators, which means they make laws.

For news on animal-related laws that are being voted on in your state, visit the ASPCA's Lobby section.

Species

A group of plants or animals that are all related and that can all breed with each other. For example, all house cats make up a species since they are all related and can breed with each other. Lions are a different species from house cats. Lions can breed with other lions, but they can't breed with house cats.

Threatened

A species is threatened when it is not currently thought to be in danger of extinction, but it is in trouble. If things do not change for the species, then it will probably become endangered.