New Study: Citizens Play Crucial Role in Identifying Species That Need Endangered Species Act Protection - via Herp Digest

PORTLAND, Ore.— A new study published today in the journal Science finds that citizen petitions and litigation “play a valuable role in identifying at-risk species” for protection under the Endangered Species Act. The study compares the degree of imperilment of species that were listed at the sole initiation of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service with those protected after a petition or litigation by citizens. The researchers determined that “citizen-initiated species are significantly more threatened than FWS-initiated species.” 

“This study shows that citizens, independent scientists and groups like ours are often at the forefront of determining which plants and animals need help the most,” said Noah Greenwald, endangered species director at the Center for Biological Diversity, which has helped secure protections for more than 500 species including polar bears, Mexican spotted owls, jaguars and Puget Sound killer whales. “Limiting citizens’ access to that process would leave many, many species without the protection they need to avoid extinction.”

The results of the study are important because citizen action to protect species under the Endangered Species Act has recently been criticized by Republican members of Congress, including Rep. Doc Hastings (R-Wash.), who argue that petitions and litigation are preventing the Fish and Wildlife Service from prioritizing its work to protect species. The agency recently sought, and was granted, a cap on how much money it can spend responding to citizen petitions to protect species. 

“This study clearly documents that, contrary to criticisms from Congressman Hastings and his ilk, citizen petitions and litigation are directing the Fish and Wildlife Service’s resources toward the most imperiled species,” said Greenwald. 

The study further determined that citizen-initiated species were more likely to be in conflict with development than species listed solely by the agency, suggesting that citizens are moving protection for species that are more likely to be controversial.  Indeed, the study concludes: “Calls to streamline the ESA and to rely exclusively on FWS to identify and list species might mean that a significant number of species that deserve legal protection — especially those that are politically unpopular because of the potential to obstruct development projects — would be left out in the cold. “

For Immediate Release, August 16, 2012

Contact:  Noah Greenwald, (503) 484-7495

Willow tit and lesser spotted woodpecker on at-risk list

Two once-widespread woodland species of British birds have been put on the endangered list after a steep decline in their numbers.
Populations of the willow tit and lesser spotted woodpecker have dropped by 91% and 76% respectively since the 1970s, the RSPB said.

It is not clear why the species are declining; however, experts believe woodland changes may be playing a role.

The birds will now be monitored to find out why they are struggling to survive.

The Rare Breeding Birds Panel has also added the long-eared owl, short-eared owl and Arctic skua to the list of species it now considers to be at risk.

Mark Eaton from the RSPB said: "It is tragic to think that within many people's memories these woodland birds were so widespread and now they are so rare.

"Since the 1970s, we've lost nine out of 10 pairs of willow tits and three out of four pairs of lesser spotted woodpecker, and in many areas these birds have disappeared completely."

'Essential snapshot'
The RSPB said the declines were "extremely alarming", with the birds disappearing altogether from counties where they were once found.

Experts say a lack of suitable management of forests which would allow new growth and provide birds with dead and decaying timber may be having an impact.

Willow tits may also be hit by wooded areas drying out.

Experts are now tracking 103 species of rare birds which regularly or occasionally nest in the UK.

They are calling on bird watchers to submit records if they see any of the birds which are on the at-risk register.

The panel's secretary Mark Holling said: "With so many species in trouble, these reports provide an essential snapshot of how our most threatened birds are faring.

"Whether it's the spectacular increase of the red kite, or the near extinction of the wryneck and the red-backed shrike, our information arms conservation groups and government agencies to help our rarest and most vulnerable birds."

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-14815987

Pika gets new review as possible at-risk species

Published: Tuesday, Feb. 8, 2011 - 12:00 am | Page 2B

The American pika, a tiny rabbit-like resident of the Sierra Nevada, will get another shot at the state Endangered Species Act.

On Thursday, the state Fish and Game Commission ordered a review of the pika's status in response to a San Francisco Superior Court ruling that found the Department of Fish and Game failed to consider new information in a review completed last fall.

This came in response to a lawsuit filed by the Center for Biological Diversity, which first petitioned the state to protect the pika in 2007.

The pika lives only in high-elevation boulder fields. In other states, evidence shows climate change has shrunk pika habitat, resulting in smaller populations.

Until recently, California has lacked similar evidence.

But the Center for Biological Diversity last summer submitted new findings of pika population losses in the Bodie and Lassen regions.

In a subsequent suit, the center claimed that state officials had failed to consider this, and the court agreed, said Greg Loarie, an attorney at Earthjustice who represented the center.

Fish and Game has 90 days to complete a new review.

If protected, pika would become the first California species listed under the state Endangered Species Act as a result of climate change.

– Matt Weiser

http://www.sacbee.com/2011/02/08/3385260/pika-gets-new-review-as-possible.html