Final answer:
The U.S. Endangered Species Act has led to successes such as the recovery of the Bald Eagle and the American Alligator. However, it is criticized for the slow listing process and its focus on individual species rather than on broader ecosystem conservation.
Step-by-step explanation:
Successful Accomplishments of the U.S. Endangered Species Act
Two successful accomplishments of the U.S. Endangered Species Act (ESA) include:
- The recovery of the Bald Eagle, which was once near extinction but has since bounced back due to protections and conservation efforts provided by the ESA.
- The conservation of the American Alligator, which was also facing severe decline and has recovered significantly, now removed from the endangered species list.
Criticisms of the U.S. Endangered Species Act
Two reasons some people have criticized the ESA are:
- The process of getting a species listed is often long and cumbersome, which can delay necessary protections for those species in decline.
- The focus on individual species rather than ecosystem conservation is seen as inefficient and may neglect less charismatic species that are equally in need of protection.