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Figure 6. Recovery Status All Listed Species Declining - 219 37.7% Stable - 181 31.2% X: X Extinct -11 1.9% Improving - 57 Unknown -113 9.8% 19.4% (581 species total) Figure 7. Recovery Status of Listed Species Separated by Taxonomic Group Number of Species 140 120 100 80 :•::::.::•: 60 40 x:: •:. :.:::.: :::.... 20 0 Animals Plants Taxonomic Group Improving Q Stable Declining Unknown E Extinct Recovery Status of Animal Species Separated by Taxonomic Group Number of Species 50 40 30 20 10 0 Mammals Birds Herps` Fishes Inverts" Taxonomic Group Improving 0 Stable Declining Q Unknown N Extinct 'Amphibians and Reptiles "Invertebrates All species are declining at the time of listing under the Endangered Species Act. A major goal is to reverse the downward trend of all listed species. Even though species are afforded protection under the Endangered Species Act, the status of a number of those species is still criti- cal. Ten percent are considered im- proving and 31% are considered stable as a direct result of recovery efforts, but a sizeable number (38%) are still considered declining and 2% are believed extinct. The status of 19% of the listed species is unknown; further research and survey work are needed to determine each "unknown" species' overall status. (See Figure 6.) Figure 7 indicates the recovery status, as separated by taxonomic group, of listed species. Most of the species considered to be improving are mam- mals, birds, or plants. A significant majority of them are recovering from very low numbers, with the benefit of intensive, hands-on management. Bird and fish species represent the taxa considered to be the most stable. The unknown component is most pronounced in invertebrates, reflect- ing a need for additional studies. Three-fourths of the prominent de- clining status of invertebrates are freshwater mussels. 15