Endangered Species Act

Definition

The Endangered Species Act is a U.S. law passed in 1973 aimed at protecting species threatened with extinction and preserving the ecosystems upon which they depend.

Analogy

Consider the Endangered Species Act as a hospital for species. Just like hospitals take care of sick people and try to bring them back to health, this act protects endangered species and tries to increase their population numbers.

Related terms

Habitat Conservation Plan: A plan developed by landowners intending to ensure survival of endangered or threatened species while land use activities occur.

Critical Habitat: An area essential for conservation of a listed species which may require special management considerations or protection.

Biodiversity: The variety of life in the world or in a particular habitat or ecosystem.