Question

The United States ESA has two categories of experimental populations. The first, "experimental, ____________" populations are those that are regarded as critical to the survival of the endangered species and are protected as rigidly as naturally occurring populations.

Answer 1

The first, "experimental, essential" populations are those that are regarded as critical to the survival of the endangered species and are protected as rigidly as naturally occurring populations.

Step-by-step explanation:

Signed into law in 1973 by President Richard Nixon, the Endangered Species Act (ESA) is credited with saving America's national animal — as well as the California condor, grizzly bear, northern gray wolf, and more

Essential experimental populations are defined as those populations whose loss would be likely to appreciably reduce the likelihood of the survival of the species in the wild. All other experimental popula- tions are classified as nonessential.