Between the early 1980’s and 2000, most States conducted annual bald eagle surveys. Since then, many states recognized that annual surveys were no longer necessary. That is why you will not see annual data after 2000. On August 9, 2007, the bald eagle was removed from the federal list of threatened and endangered species.
General Statistics for Endangered Species current as of October 15, 2009
How many species in the United States are listed as threatened or endangered?
614 U.S. animal species are listed.
747 U.S. plant species are listed.
How many species in the United States are proposed for listing as threatened or endangered?
18 U.S. animal species are currently proposed for listing.
46 U.S. plant species are currently proposed for listing.
How many listed species have designated critical habitat?
539 U.S. species have designated critical habitat.
How many candidate species are there?
138 animal species are candidates for listing.
110 plant species are candidates for listing.
How many habitat conservation plans (HCPs) have been approved?
1017 habitat conservation plans have been approved (849 current, 168 expired).
How many listed species have approved recovery plans?
1134 species have approved recovery plans.
Whaling data by scientific permit, aboriginal catches, and whales taken under objection by the International Whaling Commission from 1985-2007
For more information check out Thriving Oceans and “Whaling under the guise of science”
869 species are Extinct or Extinct the Wild and this figure rises to 1,159 if the 290 Critically Endangered species tagged as Possibly Extinct are included.
Only 2.7% of the 1.8 million described species have been analyzed.
Overall, a minimum of 16,928 species are threatened with extinction.
Threatened with Extinction:
38% of all fishes in Europe and 28% in Eastern Africa.
At least 17% of the 1,045 shark and ray species are threatened
12.4% of groupers
6 of the 7 marine turtle species are threatened with extinction.
27% of the 845 species of reef building corals are threatened
20% of reef building corals are Near Threatened
27.5% of marine birds are in danger of extinction
11.8% of terrestrial birds.
33% of amphibians
Nearly 25% of mammals are threatened with extinction.
28% of Conifers
52% of cycads
Data: Vié, J.-C., Hilton-Taylor, C. and Stuart, S.N. (eds.) (2009). Wildlife in a Changing World – An Analysis of the 2008 IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. Gland, Switzerland: IUCN. 180 pp.
Photo Credit:
Asian Wild Ass (Equus hemionus). Threat category Endangered © Jean-Christophe Vié
The Endangered Species Act was signed into law on December 28, 1973
More than 1,300 species have been added to the national lists of threatened and endangered wildlife and plants.
A total of 21 U.S. species under the watch of the FWS, and an additional 14 foreign or NMFS-lead species, have been reclassified from endangered to the less critical category of threatened. Aquatic and plant species make up the bulk of these downlistings. Some recently reclassified species include the Florida population of the American crocodile (Crocodylus acutus), the Gila trout (Oncorhynchus gilae), and the Missouri bladderpod (Lesquerella filiformis).
13 U.S. species for which the FWS has lead, and an additional 7 foreign or NMFS species, have been delisted due to recovery. The most recently recovered species include the (West) Virginia northern flying squirrel (Glaucomys sabrinus fuscus), certain populations of the bald eagle (Haliaeetus leucocephalus), and the Yellowstone Distinct Population Segment of the grizzly bear (Ursus arctos horribilis).
Currently, there are 545 final recovery plans and 48 draft plans that cover 1,129 U.S species. An additional 124 U.S. species have recovery plans under development.
Data: USFWS Endangered Species Bulletin , Spring 2009
The Living Planet Index is based on trends in nearly 5,000 populations of 1,686 species of mammal, bird, reptile, amphibian and fish from around the globe.
The global index (Living Planet Index) shows that vertebrate species populations declined by nearly 30% during the period 1970 to 2005.
Humanity’s Ecological Footprint- Human demand on the biosphere more than doubled during the period 1961 to 2005.
Global Living Planet Index shows an average trend of -28% from 1970 to 2005 in 4,642 populations of 1,686 species.
Temperate Living Planet Index shows a +6% average trend between 1970 and 2005 in 3,309 opulations of 1,235 species.
Tropical Living Planet Index shows a -51% overall trend from 1970 to 2005 in 1,333 populations of 585 species.
Terrestrial Living Planet Index shows an average -33% trend between 1970 and 2005 in 2,007 populations of 887 terrestrial species.
Marine Living Planet Index shows an average -14 % trend over 35 years in 1,175 populations of 341 marine species.
Freshwater Living Planet Index shows an average -35% trend from 1970 to 2005 in 1,463 populations of 458 species.
Biologist, wildlife advocate, conservationist and simply captivated by marine life. Currently working to complete a full life's circle balancing work, life and a desire to spark worldwide wildlife preservation...and now bringing you the numbers and stats about our planet and its inhabitants. That's me, so check out the site and take a peek at "About The Site" page.
