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.
