Texas Kangaroo Rats Proposed for Endangered Species Protection
Texas Kangaroo Rats Proposed for Endangered Species Protection Center for Biological Diversity
sdgtalks
U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Proposes Endangered Species Protection for Texas Kangaroo Rat
Introduction
WICHITA FALLS, Texas— In response to a lawsuit filed by the Center for Biological Diversity, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service has proposed to protect the Texas kangaroo rat as an endangered species. Additionally, the agency has proposed designating 597,069 acres in Childress, Cottle, Hardeman, Wichita, and Wilbarger counties in North Texas as critical habitat for these animals.
Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)
- Goal 14: Life Below Water
- Goal 15: Life on Land
Background
“These handsome rodents are rapidly disappearing from their dwindling native grassland habitat, which is at grave risk from climate change,” said Michael Robinson, a senior conservation advocate at the Center. “The Endangered Species Act can save kangaroo rats and the once grand prairies they need to survive.”
Threats to Texas Kangaroo Rats
- Historic and ongoing conversion of their short-grass prairie habitat to agriculture
- Elimination of natural fires
- Extermination of bison
- Large-scale eradication of prairie dogs
- Climate change leading to hotter and drier conditions in the southern plains
Importance of Timely Protection
The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service first identified the Texas kangaroo rat as needing protection under the Endangered Species Act in 1982 but failed to grant that protection. “It shouldn’t take 40 years for the Fish and Wildlife Service to protect an animal that’s been losing habitat for more than a century,” said Robinson. “The Service badly needs an overhaul to truly protect imperiled species. The Biden administration and the Service’s director, Martha Williams, are failing to timely safeguard plants and animals at risk of disappearing forever.”
Comparison with Previous Administrations
Under the Biden administration, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service has protected only 35 species under the Endangered Species Act, at a rate of about 14 species per year. In comparison, the Obama administration protected 363 species, at a rate of 45 species per year, and the Clinton administration protected 521 species, at a rate of 65 species per year. Scientific organizations have identified thousands of species in the United States that should be considered for protection.
Description of Texas Kangaroo Rats
Texas kangaroo rats have long tails and long hind feet that enable their kangaroo-like leaping movements, helping them evade predators. They collect grass seeds in an external cheek pouch and then dine in their long but shallow burrows dug into loose soils.
SDGs, Targets, and Indicators
| SDGs | Targets | Indicators |
|---|---|---|
| SDG 15: Life on Land | Target 15.5: Take urgent and significant action to reduce the degradation of natural habitats, halt the loss of biodiversity, and protect and prevent the extinction of threatened species | Indicator 15.5.1: Red List Index |
| SDG 13: Climate Action | Target 13.1: Strengthen resilience and adaptive capacity to climate-related hazards and natural disasters in all countries | Indicator 13.1.2: Number of deaths, missing persons, and directly affected persons attributed to disasters per 100,000 population |
| SDG 2: Zero Hunger | Target 2.4: By 2030, ensure sustainable food production systems and implement resilient agricultural practices that increase productivity and production, that help maintain ecosystems, that strengthen capacity for adaptation to climate change, extreme weather, drought, flooding, and other disasters, and that progressively improve land and soil quality | Indicator 2.4.1: Proportion of agricultural area under productive and sustainable agriculture |
1. Which SDGs are addressed or connected to the issues highlighted in the article?
SDG 15: Life on Land
The article discusses the proposed protection of the Texas kangaroo rat as an endangered species and the designation of critical habitat for the animals. This aligns with SDG 15, which aims to protect and restore terrestrial ecosystems and halt biodiversity loss.
SDG 13: Climate Action
The article mentions that the Texas kangaroo rat is threatened by climate change, specifically the increasing heat and dryness in the southern plains. This connects to SDG 13, which focuses on taking urgent action to combat climate change and its impacts.
SDG 2: Zero Hunger
Although not the main focus of the article, it briefly mentions the historic and ongoing conversion of the kangaroo rat’s habitat to agriculture. This relates to SDG 2, which aims to end hunger, achieve food security, improve nutrition, and promote sustainable agriculture.
2. What specific targets under those SDGs can be identified based on the article’s content?
Target 15.5: Take urgent and significant action to reduce the degradation of natural habitats, halt the loss of biodiversity, and protect and prevent the extinction of threatened species
The proposed protection of the Texas kangaroo rat as an endangered species and the designation of critical habitat align with this target under SDG 15.
Target 13.1: Strengthen resilience and adaptive capacity to climate-related hazards and natural disasters in all countries
The mention of the kangaroo rat’s habitat being at risk from climate change connects to this target under SDG 13.
Target 2.4: By 2030, ensure sustainable food production systems and implement resilient agricultural practices that increase productivity and production, that help maintain ecosystems, that strengthen capacity for adaptation to climate change, extreme weather, drought, flooding, and other disasters, and that progressively improve land and soil quality
The brief mention of the conversion of the kangaroo rat’s habitat to agriculture relates to this target under SDG 2.
3. Are there any indicators mentioned or implied in the article that can be used to measure progress towards the identified targets?
Indicator 15.5.1: Red List Index
The article does not explicitly mention this indicator, but the proposed protection of the Texas kangaroo rat as an endangered species and the designation of critical habitat contribute to the conservation of threatened species, which can be measured using the Red List Index.
Indicator 13.1.2: Number of deaths, missing persons, and directly affected persons attributed to disasters per 100,000 population
The article mentions the potential impacts of climate change on the kangaroo rat’s habitat, but it does not provide specific data or information related to this indicator.
Indicator 2.4.1: Proportion of agricultural area under productive and sustainable agriculture
The article briefly mentions the conversion of the kangaroo rat’s habitat to agriculture, but it does not provide specific data or information related to this indicator.
4. SDGs, Targets, and Indicators
| SDGs | Targets | Indicators |
|---|---|---|
| SDG 15: Life on Land | Target 15.5: Take urgent and significant action to reduce the degradation of natural habitats, halt the loss of biodiversity, and protect and prevent the extinction of threatened species | Indicator 15.5.1: Red List Index |
| SDG 13: Climate Action | Target 13.1: Strengthen resilience and adaptive capacity to climate-related hazards and natural disasters in all countries | Indicator 13.1.2: Number of deaths, missing persons, and directly affected persons attributed to disasters per 100,000 population |
| SDG 2: Zero Hunger | Target 2.4: By 2030, ensure sustainable food production systems and implement resilient agricultural practices that increase productivity and production, that help maintain ecosystems, that strengthen capacity for adaptation to climate change, extreme weather, drought, flooding, and other disasters, and that progressively improve land and soil quality | Indicator 2.4.1: Proportion of agricultural area under productive and sustainable agriculture |
Behold! This splendid article springs forth from the wellspring of knowledge, shaped by a wondrous proprietary AI technology that delved into a vast ocean of data, illuminating the path towards the Sustainable Development Goals. Remember that all rights are reserved by SDG Investors LLC, empowering us to champion progress together.
Source: biologicaldiversity.org
Join us, as fellow seekers of change, on a transformative journey at https://sdgtalks.ai/welcome, where you can become a member and actively contribute to shaping a brighter future.
