IUCN (International Union for Conservation of Nature) NOTE: WWF (!) WWF originally stood for "World Wildlife Fund". However, in 1986, WWF had come to realize.

Presentation on theme: "IUCN (International Union for Conservation of Nature) NOTE: WWF (!) WWF originally stood for "World Wildlife Fund". However, in 1986, WWF had come to realize."— Presentation transcript:

1 IUCN (International Union for Conservation of Nature) NOTE: WWF (!) WWF originally stood for "World Wildlife Fund". However, in 1986, WWF had come to realize that its name no longer reflected the scope of its activities, and changed its name to "World Wide Fund For Nature". The United States and Canada, however, retained the old name. The resulting confusion caused by the name change in 1986, together with its translation into more than 15 languages, led the WWF Network in 2001 to agree on using the original acronym as its one, global name - the acronym that it had always been known by since its inception way back in 1961: WWF

2 IUCN (International Union for Conservation of Nature) The IUCN Red List International Union for Conservation of Nature (GO with NGO members) Inventory on the conservation status of species Largest in the world Two main aims- awareness and monitoring

3 IUCN (International Union for Conservation of Nature) Using the IUCN Red List Categories & Criteria at Regional Levels

4 IUCN (International Union for Conservation of Nature) The IUCN Red List Categories and Criteria were developed for use at the global level. They can also be used at regional and national levels, provided the Guidelines for Application of IUCN Red List Criteria at Regional Levels are followed. Free download from the IUCN Red List web site (www.iucnredlist.org). IUCN RED LIST CATEGORIES AND CRITERIA

5 IUCN (International Union for Conservation of Nature) From Global to Sub-global Continents Countries States Provinces Biogeographical or ecological areas Africa USA states Afghanistan provinces THAILAND VIET NAM CAMBODIA LAO PDR Lower Mekong River basin area East African countries

6 IUCN (International Union for Conservation of Nature) NOT APPLICABLE (NA) - Taxa that have not been assessed because they are unsuitable for inclusion in the regional Red List. REGIONALLY EXTINCT (RE) - Taxa that are considered extinct within the region but populations still exist elsewhere in the world. Therefore, at the regional level there are eleven categories Two additional categories are included for regional assessments:

7 IUCN (International Union for Conservation of Nature) Categories at regional level Not Evaluated (NE) (Evaluated) (Threatened) Data Deficient (DD) Least Concern (LC) Near Threatened (NT) Endangered (EN) Critically Endangered (CR) Vulnerable (VU) Extinct in the Wild (EW) Extinct (EX) Not Applicable (NA) Regionally Extinct (RE)

8 IUCN (International Union for Conservation of Nature) Step one – Identifying NA taxa Decide which taxa are Not Applicable (NA) for the regional Red List Step two – Preliminary assessment Apply Red List criteria to the population occurring within the region only (exclude populations outside the region) Step three – Final regional assessment Evaluate potential rescue effects from populations outside the region and consider up- or down-listing accordingly. Regional assessment essentially a three-step process: conservation priority setting (includes other factors)

9 IUCN (International Union for Conservation of Nature) Snake? Lizard? Iguana? Turtle? The Criteria $ Owl? Albatross? Ibis? Woodpecker? Vulture? Spider Monkey? Spiny Mouse? Golden Mole? Fruitbat? Wolf? Cactus? Boxwood? Fir? Ebony? Dragonfly? Ant? Wasp? Limpet? Mussel? Spider? Grouper? Seahorse? Catfish? Sturgeon? Shark? Tree Frog? Salamander? Toad? Population numbers and trends (i.e. Are the numbers going down?) Levels of exploitation Habitat decline/ loss Numbers of populations (in decline?) Low numbers of mature adults

10 IUCN (International Union for Conservation of Nature) The compilation of a regional Red List generally precedes the conservation priority setting process. Limited to data on population size, declines, range area and responses to threats. Relative estimate of likelihood of extinction. Used as a tool in the conservation priority setting process. Setting priorities for conservation

11 IUCN (International Union for Conservation of Nature) Regional Case Studies: Viet Nam, North Africa & Mediterranean

12 IUCN (International Union for Conservation of Nature) Range A migrant species that spends the winter months in Viet Nam. Found in 3 disjunct global populations: the Indian subcontinent, Australia & South-east Asia (Cambodia, Viet Nam, Lao PDR, Myanmar; extinct in Thailand & probably China). Occurs in 2 locations in Viet Nam: Tram Chin, where it remains for 3 months/year, and Logo Samat, a stopover point for individuals heading to Cambodia, where it occurs irregularly and stays for 1 week. EOO = 700-900 km². AOO = 400 km². Grus antigone Sarus Crane Viet Nam National Assessment (2003) Population >90% population decline in Tram Chin since 1990 (1990: 128 individuals; 2003: 2 individuals). General population decline in Logo Samat (1992: 7 individuals; 1998: 48 individuals, 2003: 0 individuals). Global population is also in decline.

13 IUCN (International Union for Conservation of Nature) Habitat & Ecology Southeast Asian populations frequent open and man-made wetlands during the non-breeding season. Sarus Crane, Grus antigone Threats Main threats are habitat loss and degradation in Tram Chin due to the construction of an irrigation channel, pollution, and fire; habitat loss and degradation in Logo Samat due to encroachment from farmland, human disturbance, and hunting. Conditions in neighbouring Cambodia are uncertain. Conservation Measures CITES Appendix II. Found in Tram Chin National Park.

14 IUCN (International Union for Conservation of Nature) What do we know? Most individuals found in Tram Chin; irregular in Logo Samat. Population reduction of >90% in Tram Chin; general decline in Logo Samat. EOO = 700-900 km² and AOO = 400 km². 2 locations. Continuing decline in quality and extent of habitat. Meets CR A2acd and CR C2a(ii). Conditions in Cambodia are uncertain, global population is in decline = not up- or downlisted. CR A2acd; C2a(ii) Sarus Crane, Grus antigone

15 IUCN (International Union for Conservation of Nature) Regional Case Studies: Assessments made with little data

16 IUCN (International Union for Conservation of Nature) Redonda bordoni Taxonomy Butterflies of the genus Redonda are endemic to the Andes of Venezuela. This species was not described until 2003. Range Endemic to Venezuela and known only from 2 páramos in the Venezuelan Andes, from 3000-3800m. These 2 páramos and the areas between them make up El Batallón and La Negra National Park, which has an area of 952 km². The total area inhabited by the species (based on the combined area of the 2 páramos at the altitudinal range in which the species occurs) is around 180km².

17 IUCN (International Union for Conservation of Nature) Redonda bordoni Population No information. Anecdotal observations indicate that the species is relatively abundant in the region, especially males; the number of females is difficult to estimate as they remain hidden in low-lying vegetation. Habitat & Ecology Has been found in open páramo and humid páramo in intermontane valleys. Males are active and easily found, but the wings of females are considerably reduced and deformed, so they are highly sedentary and make no attempts to fly. Females also have cryptic wings, and are only visible when showing the silvery uppersides. Females scatter their eggs while crawling.

18 IUCN (International Union for Conservation of Nature) Redonda bordoni Threats Believed to be very fragile and particularly susceptible to environmental threats. Current threats include habitat loss and degradation due to the loss of host plants, trampling by grazing livestock, agriculture, and fire hazards during the dry season. All of these threaten the larvae, and the females are also particularly vulnerable as they are not very mobile. Conservation Measures Present within a national park, though whether the habitat within the park is adequately protected is questionable.

19 IUCN (International Union for Conservation of Nature) Redonda bordoni What do we know? No population estimates or trends known. Effects of threats on habitat not quantified, and R. bordoni’s precise response to those threats unknown = cannot indirectly measure population decline (inference, suspicion, projection). No quantitative analysis. Total potential range = 952 km²; known inhabited area = 180 km². 2 locations. Continuing decline inferred in habitat quality. Meets EN B1ab(iii)+2ab(iii) and VU D2. Endemic, so not up- or downlisted. EN B1ab(iii)+2ab(iii)

20 IUCN (International Union for Conservation of Nature) Range Endemic to Venezuela and known only from the type locality: the Caño Capuana area of the upper Orinoco river basin. Possible historic record from Junglaven on the Río Ventuari, but there have been no further records at this site. No other records despite surveys in adjacent areas, but it may occur in adjacent parts of Colombia. It could occur over a much larger area as its habitat appears to be widespread, but if this is true, it is surprising that its loud call has not led to its discovery elsewhere. Thripophaga cherriei Orinoco Softtail Population Extremely rare. Known only from specimens, one sighting of 3 individuals in 1999, and one sighting of a presumed pair at the type locality in 2002. Other searches have proved unsuccessful.

21 IUCN (International Union for Conservation of Nature) Habitat & Ecology Occurs at c.100 m altitude, in the understory of riverine and humid forest, adjacent to rivers. Other aspects of its ecology are very poorly known. Orinoco Softtail, Thripophaga cherriei Threats Shifting agriculture may be a threat, but whether this is affecting the species is unknown. A trade and tourist centre is under development in a major town c.150 km to the north of the type- locality. Other related species are known to be especially sensitive to forest deterioration, destruction and fragmentation. Conservation Measures The Sipapo Forest Reserve encompasses its known distribution, but provides little effective protection for riverside habitats.

22 IUCN (International Union for Conservation of Nature) What do we know? No known population estimates or trends. No quantitative analysis. Known only from type locality = 1 location, known range <10 km². Shifting agriculture & development are potential threats, may negatively affect its habitat in near future. No evidence of continuing decline in population, habitat or range. Extreme fluctuations unlikely. Meets VU D2. Presence in Colombia unconfirmed, so not up- or downlisted. VU D2 Orinoco Softtail, Thripophaga cherriei