Evolutionarily Significant Unit

{
  "id": "MLC-T-ENV-010228",
  "term": "Evolutionarily Significant Unit",
  "field": "Environment",
  "definition": "A population or group of populations that is considered distinct (and hence a \"species\") for purposes of conservation under the Endangered Species Act. To qualify as an ESU, a population must 1) be reproductively isolated from other conspecific populations, and 2) represent an important component in the evolutionary legacy of the biological species.",
  "abbreviation": "ESU",
  "references": [
    "NOAA Coral Reef Glossary"
  ],
  "url": "https://mlchart.com/terminology/environment/evolutionarily-significant-unit/"
}