[Taxacom] Biodiversity and Species Value

[Curtis Clark]

On 5/31/2010 6:07 PM, Kenneth Kinman wrote:
> Hi Robin,
>       Family Crasionycteridae is endangered due to human activity,
> particularly deforestation.  Therefore I think humans should do what
> they can to mitigate that damage.  It is often called the bumblebee bat,
> because it is the smallest of all bats, and considered by many to be the
> smallest of ALL mammals.
>        Anyway, I see that it is on the EDGE Species List (EDGE =
> Evolutionarily Distinct and Globally Endangered).  I've always thought
> such species are special and should a higher level of protection than
> species in speciose genera and families, and was glad to see the EDGE
> Society formed a few years ago to promote that view.  I still think they
> are deserving of priority protection, especially when humans caused
> their endangered situation.
>    

So you'd rather we save an "evolutionarily distinct" species that by 
definition tickles our fancy than an "ordinary" species that is a 
keystone species in an endangered community? Interesting priority.

-- 
Curtis Clark                  http://www.csupomona.edu/~jcclark/
Director, I&IT Web Development                   +1 909 979 6371
University Web Coordinator, Cal Poly Pomona