10 Questions
What was the approximate number of American bison at the beginning of the 1800s?
30 million
What was the main reason for the decline of the passenger pigeon population?
Hunting for sport
What law made it a crime to buy or sell animals that were illegally hunted?
Lacey Act
What was the result of the European settlers' arrival in the early 1800s on the environment?
They drastically changed the environment by cutting down forests and overhunting
What was the purpose of the Endangered Species Preservation Act of 1966?
To set aside land and water for conservation of dwindling fish and wildlife populations
What was the primary motivation behind the creation of the Environmental Protection Agency in 1970?
To respond to the public outrage over the 1969 oil spill in California
What was the main difference between the Endangered Species Act of 1973 and the earlier legislation in 1966?
The 1966 act officially defined what it meant to be an endangered or threatened species
How do scientists determine if a species is likely to go extinct in the wild?
By considering the health of its habitat and other factors
What was the result of the 1969 oil spill in California?
It killed thousands of animals and dumped three million gallons of oil into the ocean
What was a significant aspect of the Endangered Species Act of 1973?
It protected habitats that endangered species depend on to survive
Study Notes
Wildlife Conservation in the United States
- The manatee, grizzly bear, and bald eagle were among the first species to receive protection under the federal government in the United States.
- 50 years ago, these species were nearly extinct but recovered thanks to the Endangered Species Act.
Historical Impact of Human Activities on Wildlife
- Native American people lived alongside wildlife for thousands of years, but European settlers had a different relationship with the land, leading to overhunting and habitat destruction.
- By the end of the 1800s, some species were in trouble due to overhunting, with the American bison population decreasing from 30 million to just a few hundred.
- The passenger pigeon, once the most abundant bird in North America, disappeared from the skies in just a few decades due to overhunting for sport.
Early Legislative Efforts
- The Lacey Act of 1900 made it a crime to buy or sell animals that were illegally hunted.
- The Endangered Species Preservation Act of 1966 set aside land and water for conservation of dwindling fish and wildlife populations.
- The Endangered Species Conservation Act of 1969 expanded the previous act to create hunting restrictions and include protections for endangered species outside of the United States.
The Endangered Species Act of 1973
- The act officially defined what it meant to be an endangered or threatened species.
- It protected plants and invertebrates for the first time, restricted hunting of listed animals, and provided funding to save the species.
- It also protected the habitats that these plants and animals depend on to survive.
- The first year, 78 animal species were added to the list and given protection under the Endangered Species Act.
How the Endangered Species Act Works
- Scientists count the number of each species in as many places as possible to estimate its population.
- They consider the health of its habitat, human use, disease, and other factors to determine if it's likely to go extinct in the wild.
- A species is considered threatened if scientists have evidence that it may become endangered in the future.
This quiz covers the story of how the Endangered Species Act helped protect species such as manatees, grizzly bears, and bald eagles in the United States. Learn about the importance of conservation and wildlife protection.
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