Protecting Endangered Species in the United States: Biological Needs, Political Realities, Economic Choices

by Edited by Jason F. Shogren , John Tschirhart

• ISBN13: 9780521087490
• ISBN10: 052108749X
• Edition: 1st
• Format: Paperback
• Copyright: 2008-12-11
• Publisher: Cambridge University Press

Summary

This collection of original essays by economists, biologists and political scientists has a common theme: that protecting species at risk while safeguarding social order is a policy challenge that entangles biology, politics, and economics. Nearly 1200 species are listed as endangered or threatened under the Endangered Species Act (ESA) of 1973; only twelve have been removed from the list. Attempts at species recovery on public and private property lead the authors to examine the political realities that define the debate: who should pay the costs and receive the benefits, and how interest group behaviour affects the nature of endangered species protection. Although the ESA directs administrative agencies to list and protect species following scientific priorities, the collection addresses the economic choices that still must be confronted. These range from the protection potential of private markets to the design of incentive schemes to encourage conservation by private landowners.

Table of Contents

Foreword

The nature of endangered species

Biological Needs

Endangered thought, political animals

A market solution for preserving biodiversity: the Black

Extinction, recovery, and the Endangered Species Act

On biological needs: comments on

Replies by authors

Political Realities

Interest group behavior and Endangered Species Protection

Beyond cute and fuzzy: science and politics in the US Endangered Species Act

Community politics and Endangered Species protection

On political realities: comments on Ando, Cash and Meyer

Replies by authors

Current Approaches

The Endangered Species Act and critical habitat designation: an integrated biological and economic approach

The revealed demand for a public good: evidence from Endangered and Threatened Species

The ESA through Coase-colored glasses

On current approaches: comments on

Replies by authors

Future Incentives

The economics of 'takings' in a multi-parcel model with a powerful government

Investment, information collection and Endangered Species conservation on private land

Compensation schemes for Endangered Species protection

On future incentives: comments on

Replies by authors

Summary and Database

Why economics matters for endangered species protection

The database on the economics and management of endangered species (DEMES)

Index

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