Endangered Species Act

Definition

The Endangered Species Act (ESA) is a U.S. law enacted in 1973 that aims to protect and recover endangered and threatened species and their habitats. It provides legal protection for listed species, prohibits harm or harassment to them, and requires the development of recovery plans.

Related terms

Threatened species: These are species that are likely to become endangered if no action is taken to protect them. They face less immediate risk than endangered species but still require conservation efforts.

Habitat conservation plan: It is a document outlining measures taken to minimize impacts on protected habitats while allowing certain activities necessary for human development.

IUCN Red List: This is an international list maintained by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) that categorizes the conservation status of various plant and animal species worldwide.