WHICH SPECIES WILL LIVE.

CONSERVATION biology; ENDANGERED species; WILDLIFE conservation; MEDICAL triage; BIODIVERSITY conservation; ENDANGERED species listing; ENDANGERED Species Act of 1973 (U.S.)

The article discusses how conservationists are resorting to systems of triage in order to determine which species of plants and animals to save as of August 2012. Topics include how function-first systems of triage support species with unique natural functions, how evolution-first systems seek to preserve genetic diversity, and how other methodologies focus on entire ecosystems while disregarding species' instrumental value. Additional information is presented on the U.S. Congress' passage of the "Endangered Species Act" and its broad implications. INSET: Winners and Losers.