Maximizing Endangered Species Research

Abstract

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service recently prepared a draft Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) to experimentally study the removal of northern barred owls (Strix varia varia) as part of the recovery effort for the threatened northern spotted owl (Strix occidentalis caurina) (1). The ethical, economic, and opportunity costs associated with the proposed research raise crucial questions about endangered species research. Previous research on interspecies competition, including spotted owl and barred owl interactions (2), has already clearly shown that spotted owls would benefit from the removal of their competitor. As proposed, the new study will merely confirm those results, while failing to address the fundamental problem: how to implement management at a scale that benefits spotted owls.