Critical habitat for threatened and endangered species: How should the economic costs be evaluated?

摘要: The designation of critical habitat is a feature endangered species protection laws in many countries. Under the U.S. Endangered Species Act, economics cannot enter into decisions to list as threatened or endangered, but can be considered when designated. Areas excluded from proposed if economic cost including them determined exceed benefits inclusion, and exclusion would not result extinction species. analysis done support exclusions has been controversial, focus much litigation. We evaluate sample these analyses, discuss that were made each case. how methodology used measure costs changed over time provide critique alternative methods. find approach currently use sound an perspective. Nevertheless, quantification faces numerous challenges, great uncertainty about future events, questions appropriate scale for analysis, need account complex market feedbacks values non-market goods. For studies we reviewed, there was no evidence results analyses provided information useful making exemptions designations. If play meaningful role determining protections, allow listing based on well biological factors, typical conservation other