The Endangered Species Act: 50 Years of Protecting Biodiversity in Rhode Island

Species are listed for many reasons, but often their declines are the result of human impacts such as habitat loss and introduction of invasive species. Over the five decades there have been many successful examples of the strength of the Act. Success stories that affect Rhode Island include the Bald Eagle and Peregrine Falcon.

Still the work continues. More than 1300 species have been added to the ESA list but there is hope. Amazingly, 99% of species listed have been saved from extinction. The US Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) and National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) oversee the protection of species in the ESA and regulate and enforce the law.

Currently, in Rhode Island there are ten federally listed species. American burying beetle, hawksbill sea turtle, leatherback sea turtle, Roseate Tern, and shortnose sturgeon are considered “Endangered,” while Northern long-eared bat, Red Knot and Piping Plover are “Threatened.”

Endangered plants are sandplain gerardia and the threatened small whorled pogonia, an orchid.

Some rare Rhode Island natives may be protected by state action but not be federally rare and not protected by ESA. These include northern diamondback terrapin, eastern spadefoot toad, American ginseng and ringed bog haunter, a dragonfly.

Often conservationists are reticent to advertise the locations of rare species to protect their vulnerable populations.

Historically, plants and vertebrate animals have received the most attention under the ESA. Invertebrates such as mollusks and arthropods have not, despite many species at risk. There is a current effort to list the American bumble bee, now extinct in Rhode Island, and the monarch butterfly has also been suggested.