Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) Fisheries Service. Species protected
under the ESA include birds, insects, fish, reptiles, mammals, crustaceans, flowers,
grasses, and trees.
Habitat fragmentation. The process in which roads and other improvements divide
intact areas of wildlife habitat into smaller, disconnected areas.
Invasive and noxious plants. Invasive / noxious plants are non‐native species that have
few, if any, natural controls and typically spread out of control and may impact the health
of the ecosystem.
Species of concern. "Species of concern" is an informal designation that refers to species
the USFWS considers in need of concentrated conservation efforts. Species of concern
are not legally protected. Moreover, such a designation does not mean a species will be
proposed for listing as threatened or endangered.
Threatened species. According to the ESA, a threatened species is: “any species which is
likely to become an endangered species within the foreseeable future throughout all or a
significant portion of its range.”
Species of greatest conservation need. A species whose viability in Arizona is, or may
be in jeopardy, and that faces known or perceived threats or population declines in the
state.
5-8
Compatibility Assessment