Endangered Ecosystems of the United States: A Preliminary Assessment of Loss and Degradation

Abstract

We report estimates of declines of natural ecosystems in the United States, provide a rationale for ecosystem-level conservation, discuss decline and threat as criteria for conservation, and relate ecosystem losses to endangerment at species and population levels. Ecosystems are defined generally and at various spatial scales and include vegetation types, plant associations, natural communities, and habitats defined by floristics, structure, age, geography, condition, and other ecologically relevant factors. The methodology for this report consisted of a literature review and a survey of conservation agencies and professionals. The results of this preliminary study indicated significant losses of biodiversity at the ecosystem level in the United States. The most substantial losses were summarized by listing ecosystems as critically endangered (>98% decline), endangered (85-98% decline), and threatened (70-84% decline). We identified more than 30 critically endangered, 58 endangered, and more than 38 threatened ecosystems. Losses of all kinds of ecosystems have been most pronounced in the South, Northeast, and Midwest, and in California. We suggest that integrated conservation plans for all ecosystems be developed in each ecoregion of the United States, starting with types and regions that sustained the greatest losses and are at greatest risk of further loss. Conservation plans could be based on detailed studies of ecosystem status and trends and include quantitative analyses of ecosystem decline, ecological consequences of loss and degradation, and current and potential threats to each ecosystem. Ecosystem conservation need not be restricted to pristine sites, which are now almost nonexistent. Rather, management and, where possible, restoration plans for native biodiversity in partially disturbed sites should be considered.