Listed: Dispatches from America's Endangered Species Act [Hardcover]

Joe Roman (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: May 1, 2011

The first listed species to make headlines after the Endangered Species Act was passed in 1973 was the snail darter, a three-inch fish that stood in the way of a massive dam on the Little Tennessee River. When the Supreme Court sided with the darter, Congress changed the rules. The dam was built, the river stopped flowing, and the snail darter went extinct on the Little Tennessee, though it survived in other waterways. A young Al Gore voted for the dam; freshman congressman Newt Gingrich voted for the fish.

A lot has changed since the 1970s, and Joe Roman helps us understand why we should all be happy that this sweeping law is alive and well today. More than a general history of endangered species protection, Listed is a tale of threatened species in the wild—from the whooping crane and North Atlantic right whale to the purple bankclimber, a freshwater mussel tangled up in a water war with Atlanta—and the people working to save them.

Employing methods from the new field of ecological economics, Roman challenges the widely held belief that protecting biodiversity is too costly. And with engaging directness, he explains how preserving biodiversity can help economies and communities thrive. Above all, he shows why the extinction of species matters to us personally—to our health and safety, our prosperity, and our joy in nature.

Editorial Reviews

Review

A beautifully written description of what is happening to many of our only known living companions in the universe, told against the background of the much (ignorantly) maligned U.S. Endangered Species Act. It is also a plea to take steps that would help to preserve threatened organisms and us. A fascinating read.
--Paul R. Ehrlich, coauthor of The Dominant Animal

[Roman] provides a memorable dispatch on the fate of endangered species. (Kirkus Reviews 20110315)

In Listed, conservation biologist Joe Roman recounts the uses and abuses of a well-intentioned but all-too-human law...Roman's meandering and occasionally lyrical book is generally optimistic about the law he is chronicling, and he tends toward win-win tales.
--Katherine Mangu-Ward (Wall Street Journal 20110505)

The Endangered Species Act has been under attack since it was passed in 1973, when the tiny snail darter temporarily stopped the building of the Tellico Dam. The history of the act, and all of the ramifications of listing (or not listing) a species as endangered under the act, is thoroughly investigated in this wide-ranging examination of one of the most important pieces of federal legislation of the twentieth century. Roman chose a few cases to illustrate why people feel threatened by the act--it puts people out of work and it puts animals before people--and why biodiversity protection really works. Roman joined scientists as they studied such high-profile species as the Florida panther, red-cockaded woodpecker, and whooping crane, as well as researchers who look at Lyme disease, ethnobotanists studying medicinal plants, malacologists trying to save freshwater mussels, and a volunteer working on the gopher frog. As he describes the field research, Roman demonstrates why saving endangered species and protecting biodiversity makes sense economically, medicinally, and philosophically. A perfect primer on the Endangered Species Act.
--Nancy Bent (Booklist 20110501)

Roman offers revealing case studies on the effects of the Endangered Species Act, which has been under attack almost since becoming law in 1973. Complaints have focused on the burdens placed on governments and citizens. Roman counters by making the case that protecting species can benefit both the environment and business.
--Christopher Schoppa (Washington Post 20110429)

Read[s] like dispatches from a war reporter in the midst of battle...Listed takes an idiosyncratic approach to the [Endangered Species Act], using it as an entry to many issues and controversies in conservation. Roman is an engaging author, and readers will enjoy the book. They will also come away having gained a deeper understanding of the Act, along with a plethora of interesting facts about listed species.
--Daniel Simberloff (American Scientist 20110701)

The Endangered Species Act (ESA) was a revolutionary step toward the protection of threatened biodiversity, but it has not been an unqualified success. In Listed, Roman examines the history, accomplishments, and failures of the law with a series of essays, each of which focuses on one of the animals the act affects...The book is informative and enjoyable.
--J. L. Hunt (Choice 20110901)

About the Author

Joe Roman is a researcher at the University of Vermont, the author of Whale, and senior editor of the journal Solutions.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 368 pages
• Publisher: Harvard University Press (May 1, 2011)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0674047516
• ISBN-13: 978-0674047518
• Product Dimensions: 5.5 x 1.2 x 8.3 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.2 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (6 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #147,363 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #21 in Books > Science & Math > Nature & Ecology > Endangered Species
  • #35 in Books > Law > Environmental & Natural Resources Law
  • #99 in Books > Politics & Social Sciences > Politics & Government > Public Affairs & Policy > Environmental Policy

More About the Author

Joe Roman, a writer and conservation biologist, was born and raised in New York. (He counts King Kong as an early conservation influence.) His most recent book is "Listed: Dispatches from America's Endangered Species Act," winner of the 2012 Rachel Carson Environment Book Award. He does research and teaches at the University of Vermont. His studies have appeared in "Science," "Proceedings of the National Academy of Science," "Trends in Ecology and Evolution," and other journals. More information can be found at www.joeroman.com.

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars A Book with a Message: Joe Roman's Listed December 12, 2011

By Marilla MacGregor

Format:Hardcover

Biodiversity is important! Why? Listed: Dispatches from America's Endangered Species Act by Joe Roman, gives many answers to this question. Listed is a 2011 book of great import, and one which any person who cares about life on planet Earth should read. In his prologue, Roman clearly states the purpose of his work: to see if biodiversity protection is working, and how humans are being affected by it (Roman 4). Examining these questions through beautiful and moving stories of endangered species and the people who live near them, Roman shows the conflict between species protection and human economics, and presents information on how humans and nature can work together for the benefit of all.
The Endangered Species Act of 1973 was made to protect listed species from becoming extinct. However, there has always been a lot of conflict between conservation of species and human economics. Roman focuses on two main issues: how species are protected and what more needs to be done in that realm, and the conflict between conservation and economics, suggesting that conservation can bring huge benefits to the human population.
Using stories like that of the red-cockaded woodpecker, Roman supports the idea that nature is the basis for the economy. Throughout the book, Roman makes a point of showing what economic benefits nature brings to human life. However, in order for humans to gain these benefits, biodiversity needs to be protected. These benefits come from the intricate workings of various precisely balanced ecosystems. Roman points out that diversity in genetics, species, and natural communities can stabilize an ecosystem (Roman 83).... As Roman points out, "The more species you remove, the greater the chances that an extraordinarily important one will be lost" and "the more species you have, the more ways they make use of limited resources." (Roman 84).
In order to protect biodiversity, habitats need to be protected as well as species. This is the other main point of Listed. As of now, the Act only protects individual species. Thus, as Roman pithily says, "Endangered species have become the flagships, the surrogates, for their ecosystems..." (Roman 76). By protecting species, habitats are also protected, set aside as land for the species. Roman urges that, "...The Endangered Species Act - should inspire us to move from species-level protection to an ecological understanding of our place in the world: that elusive sense of place. Ultimately, it's the habitat, the ecological community, that's doing all the work." (Roman 294) .
He also explains the possible effects of global warming on all species, including humans (Roman 189, 191-192), and suggests some solutions (Roman 193). He focuses on this topic because global warming and habitat destruction are two of the five causes of extinction Roman lists, the others being overexploitation, invasive species, and the spread of disease (Roman 189). Roman uses concerns about global warming to both get people worried and interested in conserving species, and also to show how protecting species can protect us from undesirable climate change.
Overall, Roman concludes that biodiversity protection is working (Roman 305). But more needs to be done. Throughout the book, Roman emphasizes how important biodiversity is to the health of the whole planet. This biodiversity needs to be protected. He ends the book with nine steps to get to zero extinction, which is the ultimate goal. Some of these steps include creating biodiversity parks, (Roman 308), diversity in human landscapes (Roman 309) and ecologically reclaimed and restored habitats (Roman 310). However, his message is clear that it is better to do prevention than to wait until the crisis has come: "It is always prudent, economically and ecologically, to save species before they get to the critical moment when captive breeding, translocations, and genetic rescues are required." (Roman 304).
Joe Roman does a wonderful job showing what works and doesn't work under the Endangered Species Act of 1973. His stories are touching, sometimes heartbreaking, sometimes heartwarming, and always have a relevant point. He deftly counters arguments that protecting species is harmful to human economic life, and points out the many natural benefits nature gives to the world. His writing is sometimes poetic, but also clear and engaging. The organization of the book is pretty concise, starting with the history of the act, and then following the author's travels looking at different species. Perhaps a more clear way to organize it would have been to have sections relating specifically to human economics, to habitat preservation, and to global warming. Yet everything is so interconnected in the realm of biodiversity that this would have been quite difficult. This interconnectedness portrayed in Listed also shows how all of Earth's systems are connected and interdependent, giving a clear overview of the true meaning of Earth-system-science. I recommend this book to anyone who is interested in the well-being of the world, anyone who loves nature, and anyone who wants a good read. The more people who read this book and follow Roman's advice, the fewer the endangered species there will be to be listed.

Works Cited
Roman, Joe. Listed: Dispatches from America's Endangered Species Act. Cambridge: Harvard University Press, 2011. Read more ›

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Why we need the Endangered Species Act ... and the work to enforce it August 28, 2011

By S. J. Snyder VINE™ VOICE

Format:Hardcover

Kudos to Joe Roman for writing not just about "charismatic megafauna," other than chapters on the Florida panther, wolves in Yellowstone and the (very likely extinct for decades) ivory-billed woodpecker.

Other than that, it's about mussels, frogs, salamanders, and things that don't even get considered for the ESA, like extremeophilic bacteria. This is a great, great book of essays.

And, it's about more than species, it's about ecosystems. As any good environmentalist knows, species can't be protected very well without maintenance of adequate habitats. Roman weaves the two sides of the story together in discussing Lyme disease and its possible vector(s), what animals are involved in that vector and more.

For nature lovers at times frustrated by government foot dragging on species listing and other things, this book can be a shot in the arm.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Fascinating, well written August 9, 2011

By LINA

Format:Hardcover

Conservation biologist Joe Roman revisits many of the biggest battles in the endangered species act over the decades in this highly interesting and readable book. The author intersperses deep knowledge about the issues with lyrical descriptions of the people he meets and places he visits along the way.

I picked this up after reading the Wall Street Journal review of it. I was shocked by the number of species we've lost or are on the verge of losing, and what that means not only for animals but also for us. Our existence is deeply intertwined with the fate of the species we often view only as a road block for the next damn/highway/subdivision all in the name of "growth".

Roman argues convincingly that saving species is not just an ethical issue, but a critical one for our own survival. And he outlines for us a path to a sustainable future that balances the needs for jobs with respect for the world we live in. Beautiful work- I highly recommend.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Listed on top of my list November 13, 2011

By Paul Lattanzio

Format:Hardcover|Amazon Verified Purchase

Most of the books I read are either interesting or informative but Listed was most definitely both. I bought the book because I was interested in understanding the impact of America's Endangered Species Act. I certainly learned everything I had sought but I was thoroughly entertained along the way. Roman mixes his personal stories (often humorous) into the history and makes you feel a part of his journey. I was surprised by how much evidence there is to support Roman's basic assertion---that conservation has significant economic benefits (not just significant costs) and that one can argue that conservation is economically justified in addition to being the obvious right thing to do for our future generations.. I highly recommend this book to anyone who is interested in the topic and enjoys a well written book and an enjoyable read.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars On the Rorotoko List October 8, 2011

By ROROTOKO

Format:Hardcover

This book is on the Rorotoko list. Professor Roman's interview on "Listed" ran as the Rorotoko Cover Feature on September 28, 2011 (and can be read in the Rorotoko archive).

5.0 out of 5 stars A Well-Crafted History of ESA and Intelligent Suggestions for Refinement November 7, 2012

By Birdman

Format:Hardcover|Amazon Verified Purchase

This swift-moving history of the Endangered Species Act culminates with prescriptions for enhancing environmental law, and suggestions for infusing ecological economics and other disciplines into wildlife conservation. Roman also implies often and well that many conservation biologists are consistently practicing neither conservation biology nor ethics (307.) More a series of cogent essays re: the importance of ESA, portraits of its champions and political opponents, and brilliant species-specific commentaries on the ways in which protection of the less-storied species, helped ensure the restoration or growth of ecosystems, Roman adds character to his material with personal comments and recollections which are well-hewn, literary and deeply felt.

While I thought the narrative meandered for 20 or 30 pages in its discussion of the deer tick, Roman's challenge to worn hypotheses about the etiology of Lyme disease, I was transfixed by every word. I will recommend this work to dozens of colleagues in wildlife rehab and biology -- and even more to voters, and intelligent lay readers.

As one who questions my state's mandate for a wolf hunt (ongoing at this writing) soon after the Feds delisted the gray wolf in Minnesota, Roman stresses that, while ESA was crafted to ensure the SURVIVAL of threatened species, its ultimate purpose is to support, with legal durability, the restoration and support of regional ecosystems to self- sustaining levels.

It is consistent with the values of ESA to study particular habitats and species-specific memes, to characterize areas of distribution as, eg. "wolf country," domains in which the wolf dominates for reasons which benefit our shared ecosystems.

Roman's closing remarks are thought-provoking, too.... They range from biodiversity trusts and regulated diversity in human landscapes, to firm legislation in species "management." Some of the most formidable champions and opponents of such issues are attorneys; however some law needs to be immutable. Roman knows this, and is unafraid to stress it. It is for this reason, he quietly celebrates the emergence of The Center for Biologcal Diversity.

Please read this stirring work, infused with little-known facts about the ecological wars we faced then and now,and sealed with suggestions which merit academic, congressional, scientific and public review. I will also mention that Harvard University Press has completed a stunning book design for LISTED, one which supports what will surely become a standard text in species ecology, one which inspires human coexistence with the numberless species that make life worth living.

Five stars. Read more ›