ABSTRACT
A discussion of the importance of biodiversity to human and ecosystem welfare commences the chapter. Loss of species is discussed through the lens of U.S. and global policies on endangered species. Two key U.S. statues bearing on biodiversity are the Marine Mammal Protection Act of 1972 and the Endangered Species Act of 1973. EU policies on species endangerment are presented and compared to U.S. policies. The two most prominent EU policies are the Birds Directive of 1979 and the Habitat Directive of 1992. One sources notes that Earth is currently experiencing the worst spate of species die-offs since the loss of the dinosaurs 65 million years ago. At particular risk of extinction are invertebrates, which range from butterflies to mollusks to earthworms to corals, with one source estimating that approximately 30% of invertebrates are at risk of extinction. Also cited are species saved from extinction, for example, the American bald eagle.
