The point is that much of the decline and subsequent loss of species today is not the result of slow and steady changes in the earth. The actions of humans are causing accelerated habitat loss and the species that depend on these habitats are declining. Endangered species are an indication that we are not making good land and water management choices. In almost all cases, people and human activities are causing the problems. As species decline they are an indication that the habitat of the species is declining as well.
Some species have no value to people except that they exist.
Protecting endangered species is a quality of life issue that weighs differently for different people. Some listed species occur mostly on public land and the relationship with private landowners are negligible in Missouri. Mussels were an important food item for native Americans. Mussels from the Mississippi River basin support a multi-million dollar cultured pearl industry. This industry, almost wholly managed by the Japanese,exports thousands of tons of mussels annually.