Endangered, Threatened and Rare Wetland Plants and Animals of the Continental United States

Abstract

Of the endangered, threatened and rare taxa in the United States a large number are wetland dependent. Of the 188 animals federally designated, 94 or 50 per cent are wetland related. Of the 103 plants listed, 29 or 28 per cent are wetland dependent. Fish, mussels and birds represent the largest number of endangered and threatened animals. Of the estimated 2,500 plants still in need of protection it is estimated that 700 may be wetland related. Although over half our nation's wetlands have been lost, increasing awareness of the functional role of these liquid assets has somewhat slowed the pace of loss in recent decades. Wetland endangered and threatened species have benefited from this trend, as pointed out by Williams and Dodd (1979). Why should we be concerned about preserving rare or endangered species? The analogy by Ehrlich and Ehrlich (1981) of the aeroplane from which wing rivets are being removed is most relevant. The man removing the rivets assures the passengers they have nothing to worry about. Obviously, no sane person would board such a plane. As the authors stateThe natural ecological systems of Earth, which supply these vital services, are analogous to the parts of an aeroplane that make it a suitable vehicle for human beings. But ecosystems are much more complex than wings or engines. Ecosystems, like well-made aeroplanes, tend to have redundant subsystems and other `design' features that permit them to continue functioning after absorbing a certain amount of abuse. A dozen rivets, or a dozen species, might never be missed. On the other hand, a thirteenth rivet popped from a wing flap, or the extinction of a key species involved in the cycling of nitrogen, could lead to a serious accident.