Pathfinders

Endangered Species

General Information

This guide is designed to help you find information about endangered species using Internet and/or print resources. An endangered species is an animal or plant that is threatened with extinction. This is not intended to be an exhaustive list; rather, it is intended to be a useful starting point for those wishing to find quality information about the topic.

Print Resources | Internet Resources | Major Associations


Print Sources

Atlas of Endangered Species ed. by John Burton, Macmillan, New York, 1991
This source is arranged by climatic region and contains maps of regions that have endangered species. There is a discussion of the causes and consequences of habitat degradation and human predation.

Encyclopedia of Endangered Species ed. by Mary Emanoil, Gale, Detroit, 1994
This is a comprehensive collection of descriptions of endangered species worldwide that were identified before 1994. For each species the common name, scientific name, IUCN status, range, description, habitat and current distribution, and history and conservation measures are given. It also has a species index and a geographic index.

The IUCN Red List of Threatened Animals ed. by Jonathan Baillie et al, Conservation International, Washington D.C.
Also available online at http://www.iucn.org/about/work/programmes/species/red_list/
A comprehensive global list of threatened species of animals put out by the World Conservation Union. This list concentrates on mammals and birds and has the conservation status of every mammal and bird species in the world.

The IUCN Red List of Threatened Plants ed. by IUCN Species Survival Commission, Gland, Switzerland.
Also available online at http://www.iucn.org/about/work/programmes/species/red_list/
In the same format at the list of threatened animals. Includes only vascular plants.

Nature in Danger: Threatened Habitats and Species by Simon Noel, New York, Oxford University Press, 1995
This provides a discussion of the process of resource depletion by humans and gives an overview of the effect humans have on threatened species and their habitats.

The Official World Wildlife Fund Guide to Endangered Species of North America ed. by David W. Lowe et al, Washington D.C., Beacham Pub, 1990
This 3-volume set gives a description of all endangered species in North America. Includes a state-by-state occurrence of species. Also includes offices of US government agencies that work with endangered species.

Search Strategies:

If you would like more information than the above print resources offer, try searching your local library’s catalog. Following are some recommended subject headings and keywords to be used when searching library databases for books about endangered species.

Library of Congress (LC) The Library of Congress Classification System is used by most college and university libraries in the US to organize materials. Recommended LC subject headings for endangered species:

  • Endangered Species
  • Endangered Plants
  • Nature Conservation
  • Plant Conservation
  • Rare Animals
  • Rare Plants
  • Wildlife Conservation

Dewey Decimal Classification (DDC) The Dewey Decimal Classification is used by most public libraries. Recommended DDC call numbers for endangered species:

  • 570 Life Sciences – Biology
  • 580 Plants
  • 590 Animals

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Internet Resources

EE-Link Endangered Species site
http://eelink.net/EndSpp/
This web page is full of information on endangered species ranging from where to find information on a particular species to laws and policies on endangered species.

Endangered Species Bulletin
http://endangered.fws.gov/bulinfo.html
This bulletin is the primary means by which the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service disseminates information on species status, research developments, and other issues surrounding endangered species.

The Endangered Species Home Page (US Fish &Wildlife Service) .
http://endangered.fws.gov/wildlife.html
Includes current endangered species news, species information, frequently asked questions, and information on the USFWS Endangered Species Program.

Endangered Species in the National Parks.
http://www.nature.nps.gov/wv/es.htm
Contains information on the US National Park Service’s endangered species habitat conservation programs.

Endangeredspecie.com.
http://www.endangeredspecie.com/
This site provides information on endangered species including links, books and publications on the topic. Also includes information about conservation efforts and endangered species organizations.

Endangered Species
http://dir.yahoo.com/Science/Biology/Zoology/Animals__Insects__and_Pets/Wildlife/Endangered_Species/
This page in the Yahoo subject directory can be reached by following this path: Science > Biology > Zoology > Animals, Insects, and Pets > Wildlife > Endangered Species. No attempt is made to evaluate site content, but it is a good place to find numerous sites related to endangered species.

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Major Associations

The following associations are involved in the protection of endangered species. If you have more questions about the topic, these associations can offer useful information.

National Audubon Society – Endangered Species Act
http://www.audubon.org/campaign/esa/
Valerie Cook, Policy Advisor, 1901 Pennsylvania Ave. NW, Suite 1100, Washington, DC 20006 Phone: (202) 861-2242, Fax: (202) 861-4290, Email: vcook@audubon.org

The Nature Conservancy
http://nature.org/
4245 North Fairfax Drive, Suite 100, Arlington, VA 22203-1606 Phone: 1-800-628-6860

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This pathfinder was created by Michelle T. Schewe

You may also wish to see: IPL: Environmental Sciences and Ecology Resources