Taxonomy as regulatory currency

Taxonomic labels (species, subspecies, distinct population segment) function like legal money because their assignment under statutes such as the Endangered Species Act unlocks or blocks vast public and private spending. Debates over where to draw biological boundaries therefore become political and economic fights over land use, infrastructure and local development. — Recognizing taxonomy as a tool of governance reframes many local fights (housing, roads, energy) as contests over scientific definition and suggests reforms in evidentiary standards and procedural transparency are necessary.