reply to: The Desert tortoise is threatened due to habitat fragmentation combined with biotic factors such as disease. The affects of climate change only increase these biotic factors simultaneously. Invasive species have impacted the desert tortoise mainly due to alterations of endemic plant species that are important to populations. The desert Tortoise is also listed under the ESA as threatened, and is therefore accustomed to the protections provided under the endangered species act. Specific parts of the ESA that pertain to the desert tortoise in my opinion are specifically section 4 as-well as sections 8 and 9. Section 4 is directly related to establishing critical habitat for the dirt tortoise which is a major issue related to their decline. This allows federal agencies to conduct restoration projects that will directly impact the conservation and recovery of critical habitat. Section 6 is important aswell because it provides the foundation of which will provide funding in order to go through with projects. Section 9 which is arguably the most important in my opinion, prevents the illegal take and exploit of the desert tortoise, such as pet trade - this is critical for protecting against human predation. Other potential solutions in my opinion would be a collaborative approach to restoration efforts and protections that cross state lines. The ESA is indeed a federal act, however cooperation among states still needs to be strong in order for the ESA to do its job. Collaboration in terms of providing habitat connectivity across state lines would better ensure diverse population density and increased interspecific diversity between populations. Focusing all efforts on one area, or a lack of effort by specific states or entities would fail to ensure diverse recovery on a landscape scale. Collaborative efforts between biologist and zoo members in the Mojave desert, are rising hatchlings of desert tortoises in order to be released into the wild. These efforts show both collaborative work between community members and agencies, while simultaneously the ability to manage populations beyond simply habitat restoration efforts. I found this article to be very interesting because It emphasizes that there could be success to be found in raising hatchlings in a zoo environment to then be released into the wild. My only concern would be the affects to genetic diversity and natural selection caused by artificial rearing in a controlled environment - nevertheless these efforts are cool to see, and interesting to bring to the discussion.

a) It could decrease genetic diversity and hinder natural selection due to the controlled environment.
b) It could increase genetic diversity and enhance natural selection due to controlled breeding programs.
c) It could have no impact on genetic diversity and natural selection since the hatchlings are released into the wild.
d) It could result in genetic mutations and accelerate natural selection in the wild environment.