Endangered species and the law
Article Abstract:
Taxonomy, the biological discipline concerned with the classification of living things, can aid in the enactment and enforcement of laws designed to conserve endangered species. Legal cases arising under such laws, such as the dispute over the Tibetan argalis sheep, have empowered judges to determine questions such as the definition of species and the validity of protected taxa. Taxonomists' input is essential in these cases. However, taxonomists' uncertainty on the relative importance of genetics, ecology and other factors indicates the need to pursue studies of taxonomic collections.
Publication Name: Nature
Subject: Zoology and wildlife conservation
ISSN: 0028-0836
Year: 1992
User Contributions:
Comment about this article or add new information about this topic:
Why rename things?
Article Abstract:
For ease of use, humans have developed a form of classification by naming things, and although names can be descriptive, they should be unchangeable to allow identification and retrieval. This system has been used in science and nature, too, until now, when molecular biologists have started to use phylogenetic trees, which create a whole set of identification and retrieval problems.
Publication Name: Nature
Subject: Zoology and wildlife conservation
ISSN: 0028-0836
Year: 2001
User Contributions:
Comment about this article or add new information about this topic:
A tale from Bioutopia
Article Abstract:
The debate on classification systems and naming practices for biological species is examined in detail, with suggestions for settling the conflict.
Publication Name: Nature
Subject: Zoology and wildlife conservation
ISSN: 0028-0836
Year: 2001
User Contributions:
Comment about this article or add new information about this topic:
- Abstracts: The Endangered Species Act is analogous to Schindler's List. Economic science, endangered species, and biodiversity loss
- Abstracts: In retrospect. Quantum theory's last challenge. The quantum centennial
- Abstracts: Platelets and proteases. Small matters, big issues. Small cells, big issues
- Abstracts: Regional assessment of remote forests and black bear habitat from forest resource surveys. Multi-scale habitat partitioning in sympatric suiforms
- Abstracts: The neural basis of the central executive system of working memory. Persistence of visual memory for scenes