Umbrella Species - Use in The Endangered Species Act (USA)

Use in The Endangered Species Act (USA)

The Bay checkerspot butterfly has been on the Endangered Species List since 1987 and is still currently listed. Launer and Murphy (1994) tried to determine whether this butterfly could be considered an umbrella species in protecting the native grassland it inhabits. They discovered that the Endangered Species Act (ESA) has a loophole to eliminate federally protected plants that reside on private property. However, the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) reinforces state conservation regulations. Using the ESA to protect termed umbrella species and their habitats can be controversial because they are not as reinforced in some states as others (such as California) to protect overall biodiversity.

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