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Whereas many individuals are acquainted with threatened and endangered species like piping plover, Atlantic salmon, Canada lynx, and leatherback sea turtle, they could not understand that plant species — simply as essential because the furry, feathered, and scaled — are listed beneath the U.S. Endangered Species Act of 1973 as nicely. There are three federally listed plant species in Maine that want the safety of this essential regulation in order that they’re not worn out perpetually: the Furbish lousewort (endangered), and the jap prairie fringed orchid and the small whorled pogonia (each threatened).
My curiosity in vegetation started almost 50 years in the past once I got down to research the Arctic/alpine vegetation of Katahdin. Mountain environments are robust locations to dwell and, not surprisingly, the variety of animal species in a mountain surroundings will increase with the variety of vegetation in these locations. There are lots of methods to make sure that the variety of life is wealthy and intact, particularly within the face of a quickly altering local weather. The ESA and Maine ESA (1975) are two superb instruments for the job.
For the ESA to proceed to be efficient in defending and recovering species, it wants enough funding. I urge Rep. Chellie Pingree, an environmental champion for Maine’s first Congressional District, to extend funding for the ESA within the fiscal yr 23 appropriations invoice. It could be simple to miss the significance of saving uncommon vegetation, however shedding them would take an even bigger toll on society — and ecosystems –—than individuals might imagine.
Don Hudson
Arrowsic
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