About this Research Topic

Background

2023 marks the 50th year anniversary of the United States Endangered Species Act (hereafter “ESA” or “the Act”), arguably the most influential and effective law focused on the recovery and conservation of declining species. Emulated in many countries, the ESA has become entangled in policy debates, threatening its effectiveness and survival. Recent political attacks on the ESA invite an examination of the relationship between the social and biological context of species conservation at this important anniversary. The fate of the ESA will influence efforts to conserve sensitive and declining species worldwide. At the same time, case studies from the United States and elsewhere provide important insights for improving implementation and ensuring that the Act will remain the cornerstone of species conservation efforts in the next half-century. This Research Topic integrates research from the natural and social sciences to examine key elements of endangered species conservation through a transdisciplinary lens focusing on ecological, policy, and legal considerations.

We seek research papers that emphasize the joint contributions of ecological theory, empirical data, and broad social support for successful species conservation under the ESA. Among the anticipated contributions are papers focusing on the role that local communities have played in shaping conservation efforts; the value of traditional ecological knowledge as a complement to western scientific approaches; and the way that the legal requirements of the ESA have shaped the implementation of science-based public policy. We anticipate that papers in this Research Topic will include case studies that illustrate how public consensus in support of species listing and recovery was achieved. We seek a diversity of case studies including those that address well-known charismatic species as well as those focused on lesser-known species, including, for example, herbaceous plants, butterflies, amphibians, and pollinators. Invited articles are not restricted to success stories—the consistent theme we request is that candidate articles demonstrate the necessity of successfully linking defensible science with societal understanding and support to conserve at-risk species and sustain support for the ESA.

To further strengthen this effort, we will seek additional scholars involved in interdisciplinary studies of the history of the ESA and its implementation. Our two criteria for evaluating proposed contributions are that each paper should provide an original synthesis of science and policy, and each should present new ideas for effective action related to species conservation. We believe the significance of the ESA to species conservation and ecological integrity is under-appreciated, even among established subject-matter experts. To broaden perspectives, we hope to engage new voices in this interdisciplinary effort to sustain and strengthen both social and legal support for the conservation of species now, and in the future.

Article types and fees

This Research Topic accepts the following article types, unless otherwise specified in the Research Topic description:

• Brief Research Report
• Community Case Study
• Data Report
• Editorial
• General Commentary
• Hypothesis and Theory
• Methods
• Mini Review
• Opinion
• ... View all formats

Articles that are accepted for publication by our external editors following rigorous peer review incur a publishing fee charged to Authors, institutions, or funders.

Article types

This Research Topic accepts the following article types, unless otherwise specified in the Research Topic description:

• Brief Research Report
• Community Case Study
• Data Report
• Editorial
• General Commentary
• Hypothesis and Theory
• Methods
• Mini Review
• Opinion
• Original Research
• Perspective
• Policy and Practice Reviews
• Policy Brief
• Registered Report
• Review
• Systematic Review
• Technology and Code

Keywords: Indigenous Knowledge, Collaboration, Community-based conservation, Endangered Species Act, Socio-ecological conservation

Important note: All contributions to this Research Topic must be within the scope of the section and journal to which they are submitted, as defined in their mission statements. Frontiers reserves the right to guide an out-of-scope manuscript to a more suitable section or journal at any stage of peer review.

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