in-situ - being in the original position; not having been moved;  [syn: unmoved]

Endangered species - any species of fish and wildlife naturally occurring in Florida, whose prospects for survival are in jeopardy due to modification or loss of habitat; over utilization for commercial, sporting, scientific, or educational purposes; disease; predation; inadequacy of regulatory mechanisms; or other natural or man-made factors affecting its continued existence. [372.072 FS]

Species of special concern - Where a population reduction of at least 20 percent has been projected or suspected to be met within the next ten years or three generations whichever is longer.  Additionally, Florida statute prohibits the intentional killing or wounding of any animal, or the eggs or nest of any animal, listed as threatened, endangered, or of special concern (as designated by the Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission).

Violation of this section with regard to threatened and endangered species constitutes a third degree felony in the state.  

Threatened species - were a population reduction of at least 50 percent has been projected or suspected to be met within the next ten years or three generations whichever is longer.  Additionally, Florida statute prohibits the intentional killing or wounding of any animal, or the eggs or nest of any animal, listed as threatened, endangered, or of special concern (as designated by the Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission).

Violation of this section with regard to threatened and endangered species constitutes a third degree felony in the state.  

Endangered species - as designated by the commission, a species, subspecies, or isolated population of a species or subspecies which is so few or depleted in number or so restricted in range or habitat due to any man-made or natural factors that it is in imminent danger of extinction.

Where an observed, estimated, conferred or suspected reduction of at least 80 percent over the previous 10 years or three generations, whichever is longer or were a population reduction of at least 80 percent has been projected or suspected to be met within the next ten years or three generations whichever is longer.  Additionally, Florida statute prohibits the intentional killing or wounding of any animal, or the eggs or nest of any animal, listed as threatened, endangered, or of special concern (as designated by the Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission).

Violation of this section with regard to threatened and endangered species constitutes a third degree felony in the state.  

Comment - In the case of the gopher tortoise special consideration is given to: "ten years or three generations whichever is longer", considering that about 75% of gopher tortoise hatchlings are lost to predation during the first 2 years and that surviving gopher tortoises take 12 -15 years to reach sexual maturity (36 to 45 years = 3 generations).

The important point here is that population recovery for the gopher tortoise is extremely slow for these beneficial animals that have thrived for millions of years in Florida, living to be around 100 years old.