can we stop Species the extinction crisis? Magazine of the Species Survival Commission

© J. Martin Issue 50 January – July 2009

350 or bust ... coral reefs and climate change

The contribution of species to ecosystem services Specialist Group exchange

The world’s most comprehensive information source on the global conservation status of plant and animal species. www.iucnredlist.org Species 50

Contents

1 Editorial 8 350 or bust… 12 The contribution of species to ecosystem services 14 Specialist Group Exchange 27 SSC Sub-Committee Update 28 Steering Committee Update 30 Species Programme Update 34 Publications Summary

Species is the magazine of the IUCN Species Programme and the IUCN Species Survival Commission. Commission members, in addition to providing leadership for conservation efforts for specific plant and animal groups, contribute to technical and scientific counsel to biodiversity conservation projects throughout the world. They provide advice to governments, international conventions, and conservation organizations.

Team Species Dena Cator, Julie Griffin, Lynne Labanne, Kathryn Pintus, and Rachel Roberts Layout www.naturebureau.co.uk Cover Lined Sweetlips (Plectorhinchus lineatus) and Two-Tone Wrasse (Thalassoma amblycephalum) in a coral reef (Acropora spp.) Credit: © Nazir Amin Opinions expressed in this publication do not necessarily reflect official views of IUCN/SSC ISSN 1016-927x ©2009 IUCN—International Union for Conservation of Nature Email: [email protected] For address changes, notify: SSC Membership Species Programme, IUCN Rue Mauverney 28 CH-1196 Gland, Switzerland Phone: +44 22 999 0268 Fax: +44 22 999 0015 Email: [email protected]

SSC members are encouraged to receive the SSC monthly electronic news bulletin. Please contact Team Species at [email protected] for more information. Species is available electronically at: Western Honey Bee (Apis mellifera). © Danny Perez www.iucn.org/species Editorial

Message from the SSC Chair and the Head of the IUCN Species Programme

It is already one year since the IUCN World Conservation Programme’s Biodiversity Assessment Unit in Washington Congress in Barcelona. The time seems to have flown by DC) joins as Senior Scientific Officer. With this outstanding with incredible speed, and it has been another very busy team we look forward to providing enhanced support to the period for the SSC. It is hard to know where to start in this SSC network, and to pushing ahead our strategic priorities. report, but we shall try to cover as much ground as possible There have been important changes in the Species in a reasonably logical order. Programme over the last year. While Jane remains Head of With a new IUCN quadrennium, it is necessary to the Species Programme, she has been promoted and is now reconstitute the membership of the SSC and its Specialist also Director of the IUCN Biodiversity Conservation Group, Groups. This is always a very time-consuming business, and which covers IUCN’s work on species, protected areas, in the months immediately following the Congress, Simon marine conservation and invasive species. Because of Jane’s was in touch with every SSC Specialist Group Chair, expanded role, she is being supported by a newly appointed including both outgoing and incoming chairs. For many Network Coordinator for the Biodiversity Conservation Specialist Groups there has been no change in leadership, Group, Josephine Langley, who is based in IUCN but for a number of others the previous chairs have stepped headquarters in Gland, Switzerland. Josephine’s job is to down and new appointments have been made. The process ensure that the wider IUCN family, including the SSC, can link of appointing Specialist Group chairs for the 2009–2012 their work into the delivery of the IUCN Programme. quadrennium is now pretty much complete, with the There have been a number of other important staffing exception of a very small number of plant groups and also changes in the Species Programme. Janice Chanson, who the bird groups shared with Wetlands International. At the has been a Programme Officer in the Biodiversity Assessment same time we are also most of the way through appointing Unit for eight years left in January 2009, and Helen Temple left the Red List Authority Focal Points, both those within the the Red List Unit in July after three years. Both Janice and Specialist Groups and those which stand alone outside Helen have played very important roles in supporting our Specialist Groups. You will find a full list of the SSC Specialist biodiversity assessments, and we are pleased that Janice, at Group Chairs and Red List Authority Focal Points in this issue least, remains involved as a consultant. We are very pleased of Species. The process for appointing and reappointing to welcome a number of new staff. Annabelle Cuttelod, joined Specialist Group members is now in full swing, as many of the Red List Unit in Cambridge in September, coming from you will know. We would like to thank in particular all those the IUCN office in Malaga, and is responsible for overseeing Specialist Group Chairs who retired at the end of the last European species assessments. Rebecca Miller also started IUCN quadrennium, and we are grateful that almost all of you in Cambridge in September as the new Red List Training remain active in the SSC in your new roles. Officer. A third recent addition in Cambridge is Amy Burden, Simon has spent a considerable amount of time raising the new Administrative Assistant. We welcome Annabelle, the funds to establish the new SSC Chair’s Office, which is Rebecca and Amy to the team. In the Biodiversity based in the University of Bath in the UK. We are extremely Assessment Unit in Washington, Neil Cox will be taking over grateful to the following institutions that have stepped forward as Acting Manager in January with Mike Hoffmann’s transfer to fund this office: Conservation International; Al Ain Wildlife to the SSC Chair’s Office. We are currently close to Park and Resort; Environment Agency, Abu Dhabi; UNEP concluding the recruitment of two staff vacancies in the World Conservation Monitoring Centre; MAVA Foundation; Biodiversity Assessment Unit, and also two vacancies in the World Association of Zoos and Aquariums; and the North of Freshwater Biodiversity Unit in Cambridge. England Zoological Society (Chester Zoo). UNEP-WCMC is In addition to appointing all the Specialist Groups, a new kindly acting as the host institution for the SSC Chair’s Office. leadership of the SSC has also been appointed. The As a result of the generosity of these organizations, Simon is appointments of these leadership positions are made by the able to work full-time as SSC Chair, and has assembled a governing Council of IUCN on the recommendation of the small staff team. Rachel Roberts joined in March as SSC Chair. We are extremely pleased to welcome Jon Paul Executive Assistant to the SSC Chair, and Jeremy Harris Rodríguez from the Instituto Venezolano de Investigaciones arrived in August as Director of Development. Starting in Científicas (IVIC), Venezuela, as the new Deputy Chair of the January 2010, the SSC Chair’s Office will be complete when SSC. Jon Paul is no stranger to our work, having previously Mike Hoffmann (who currently heads the Species served as Chair of the SSC National Red List Working Group.

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In his new role, Jon Paul will be focusing especially on 3. Area-based Conservation Planning. Another priority supporting links between the SSC and national red lists, agreed by the SSC Steering Committee relates to our developing work on priority setting for species, and working collaboration with the IUCN World Commission on with our sister IUCN commission, the Commission on Protected Areas (WCPA) on area-based conservation Ecosystem Management (CEM) on developing criteria for planning. A joint task force has been formed, chaired by red-listing ecosystems. IUCN’s Council also appointed a new Tom Brooks for SSC and Steve Woodley for WCPA. Two Steering Committee for the SSC, and you will find the full list initial activities have been given to the task force. The first of members later in this issue of Species. We would like to is to carry out a study looking at how well protected areas thank the outgoing members of the Steering Committee from conserve biodiversity, and what the relationship is the last quadrennium who devoted an extraordinary amount between this and the IUCN management categories for of time to leading the SSC: Claudio Campagna; Mick Clout; protected areas. The second is to develop new criteria for Holly Dublin; Christoph Imboden; Richard Kock; Georgina identifying and designating sites of importance for Mace; and Mike Maunder. biodiversity, and to run a consultation process within The new SSC Steering Committee met at IUCN IUCN to reach consensus on these criteria. Criteria headquarters in early June to start planning our priority already exist for identifying Key Biodiversity Areas (KBAs), initiatives for the current quadrennium. In a three-day meeting but these will now be subject to extensive review with the we covered an enormous amount of ground. The minutes are aim of reaching agreement on a new global standard for available on the IUCN Species website, but we cover a few of the approach. the highlights here. 4. Integrated Biodiversity Assessment Tool (IBAT). In 1. Species Conservation Planning. In the last 2008, UNEP-WCMC, Conservation International and quadrennium, the SSC Species Conservation Planning BirdLife International formed a partnership around a new Task Force produced a very important set of guidelines, tool, in which the World Database on Protected Areas, Strategic Planning for Species Conservation, outlining a Important Bird Areas, and Key Biodiversity Areas are new approach for the SSC to implement in relation to brought together in an online tool (IBAT) to support the conservation planning for species. This document is private sector, development banks and others in making available on the IUCN Species website. The Steering sound decisions that take full regard of the available Committee felt that the initiative needs to be continued, conservation-related data. IUCN was initially an observer and that Specialist Groups and others now need support in the IBAT partnership, but has now decided to join as a and encouragement to use and test out the new full member. One aspect of this is that Red List data will guidelines. Accordingly, a special meeting was held in be incorporated into IBAT. Simon is now a member of the Bristol, UK, in June, at which it was agreed to promote IBAT Governance Committee (representing IUCN) and this initiative, and to establish a new SSC Species Jim Ragle, Manager of the Species Information Service in Conservation Planning Sub-Committee to over-see it. the Species Programme, is on the IBAT Management At the time of writing we are seeking funding to launch Committee. Both have been heavily involved in recent this initiative, and there should be more news to months in helping to develop the business plan and circulate shortly. memorandum of agreement governing IBAT. We see this as a very exciting initiative, partly because it will enable 2. Sustainable Use. At the IUCN Congress in Barcelona, a our Red List data to be used in decisions being taken resolution was passed calling for an inter-commissional that will have an impact on species, and partly because, mechanism between the SSC and our sister IUCN if the business plan is successful, it will generate some commission, the Commission on Environmental financial resources to support parts of our red-listing Economics and Social Policy (CEESP), on sustainable work, and also for developing the new criteria for use. The SSC Steering Committee agreed that this should identifying and designating sites of importance for be a priority, and in preparation for a workshop on this biodiversity (see previous paragraph). SSC members can topic, Holly Dublin and Carol Poole carried out a very wide expect to hear much more on IBAT in the coming months survey to gather opinions within SSC, CEESP and others and years. within IUCN. A joint SSC/CEESP meeting on sustainable use took place in Cambridge on 1–2 October, at which it 5. Invasive Species. The Steering Committee agreed that was agreed that the SSC’s existing Sustainable Use it is very important to provide a new emphasis on invasive Specialist Group would form the basis for the new inter- species in the SSC. Piero Genovesi has just taken over as commissional mechanism, which would certainly involve the new Chair of the Invasive Species Specialist Group SSC and CEESP, and possibly other commissions such (ISSG), and this is a watershed event, as the founding as CEM as well. The meeting prioritized a number of chair, Mick Clout, has stepped down after 17 years in the activities to focus on during this IUCN quadrennium. The post. Mick has been responsible for putting invasive focus is now on agreeing the final structure of the SUSG, species firmly on-to our agenda and he developed the identifying new leadership, and securing new funding. We ISSG into the dynamic force that it is today. However, it are especially grateful to Jon Hutton for ably chairing the has recently become harder to raise funds for work on SUSG up until now. He has stepped down from this role, invasives, perhaps because so much of the attention is but we are very pleased that he remains an active now being devoted to climate change, and so it is a good member of the SSC Steering Committee. time to take stock and to plan for the future. In addition, it

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was felt that much closer collaboration is now needed between the ISSG, the Invasive Species Initiative (ISI) in the IUCN Secretariat (led by Geoffrey Howard and now incorporated into the Species Programme), and the inter- institutional Global Invasive Species Programme (GISP), (directed by Sarah Simons, and of which IUCN is a member). A strategising meeting on invasives took place at IUCN headquarters on 17–18 September involving ISSG, ISI and GISP. A clear set of priorities was agreed, with defined roles for each of the players. Among other things, the ISSG will have particular responsibility for the Meekong Giant Catfish (Pangasianodon gigas). © Thomas Roche redevelopment of the Global Invasive Species Database, with a particular function of making it useful in facilitating early warning and rapid response actions in relation to invasives. Like so many of our major initiatives, we are on threatening processes, especially on the management now in the process of securing funding as we move of the devastating fungal disease, chytridiomycosis. towards implementation. 8. Addressing the Asian Large Animal Crisis. Another 6. Climate Change. The Steering Committee spent a major conservation crisis concerns the rapid declines of considerable amount of time discussing our work on large animals in Asia, especially Southeast Asia. This climate change, supported by Wendy Foden, the Climate includes most species of large mammals, turtles, and Change Programme Officer in the Species Programme. A freshwater fishes such as the Mekong Giant Catfish and number of specific priorities were agreed. These include Chinese Paddlefish. The Steering Committee decided the development of Climate Change Guidelines for the that the SSC should prioritize an initiative on these IUCN Red List, and Resit Akcakaya, Chair of the SSC species, many of which could go extinct unless action is Standards and Petitions Sub-Committee, will be leading taken very soon. There are already many excellent this process. Interim guidelines should be completed in conservation initiatives in the region, but many of these 2010, but more detailed guidelines will probably take need more resources, and some key sites remain very another three years or so. A second important priority is poorly protected. There is an especially urgent need for the revision of the IUCN Re-introduction Guidelines. The increased law enforcement on the ground in the places existing guidelines were completed before climate change where the most threatened species occur. The SSC will was a major concern, and do not take account of work with Asian governments and NGOs that are active in concepts such as “assisted colonization”. The SSC Re- the region to identify the most pressing conservation introduction Specialist Group, chaired by Frédéric Launay, priorities and to help secure the financial resources that will be leading this process. Wendy will continue the work are needed to safeguard as many species as possible already started on assessing the vulnerability of different before it is too late. groups of species to climate change, and we were recently fortunate to have a project funded by the 9. National Red List Initiative. Another important priority MacArthur Foundation, which will look at the likely impacts relates to national red-listing. The IUCN Red List Index of climate change on species of importance for human has been adopted by the United Nations as one of the livelihoods in the Albertine Rift region of central Africa. indicators for the 2015 Millennium Development Goal 7 on environmental sustainability. As a result, all countries of 7. Addressing the Amphibian Extinction Crisis. the world are now being asked to develop their own Following the assessment of all amphibian species on the national red lists in order to measure trends in the status IUCN Red List in 2004, and the subsequent development of their species. The SSC has several major roles to play of the Amphibian Conservation Action Plan in 2005 and in this, and so a new initiative is being framed in 2006, there has been increased attention on amphibian collaboration with the Zoological Society of London (ZSL), conservation. However, in relation to the rapid ongoing and a meeting to help develop this took place in London declines in amphibians, there has been universal on 15–16 September. The SSC and Species Programme agreement that progress is nothing like fast enough. The need to establish a proactive training programme to help Steering Committee agreed to prioritize amphibians, and countries develop and enhance their national red-listing as a result an Amphibian Mini-Summit was convened in programmes. We also need to develop improved means London on 20–21 August 2009. This meeting agreed that of incorporating data from national red lists into the global a new alliance of organizations should be formed to drive IUCN Red List. This work will be pushed ahead by the ahead amphibian conservation – this will be termed the SSC National red-listing Working Group, co-chaired by Amphibian Survival Alliance (ASA). IUCN will host the Jonathan Baillie and Ben Collen, and supported by ASA, and a number of institutions have already come Caroline Pollock and Rebecca Miller in the Species forward to commit funding, so we hope to recruit an ASA Programme. One very important new development is the director shortly. The priorities for the ASA will be the launch of a website on which information on national red conservation of key sites for amphibians (very many of lists from around the world can be found – see http:// these fall outside protected areas), and fostering research www.nationalredlist.org/site.aspx.

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10. Save Our Species. The Steering Committee also discussed a very exciting initiative in which IUCN is engaged in collaboration with the World Bank and the Global Environment Facility (GEF) – a new threatened species fund entitled Save Our Species. Since the Barcelona Congress, Jean-Christophe Vié, Deputy Head of the Species Programme, has been working extensively on this with our colleagues in the World Bank and the GEF. We are hopeful that the new fund will be finally approved in early 2010, and the SSC will have a major role in helping to set priorities for the fund and conducting the review proposals received. Save Our Species is designed to encourage private sector corporations to join the partnership as financial contributors, and we hope that we shall be able to establish a sizeable fund for threatened species conservation. Already, in 2009 many SSC Specialist Groups have benefited from another new Bulgarian Emerald (Somatochlora borisi). © V.J.Kalkman and important donor, the Mohamed bin Zayed Species Conservation Fund which is supporting a very wide array and nine of the plants (Discorea species), implemented in of critically important projects. We are most grateful to collaboration with ZSL. A number of other important datasets Mohamed bin Zayed for establishing this fund (see http:// are in the pipeline for release in the coming months. The www.mbzspeciesconservation.org/). Cycad Specialist Group is busy putting the finishing touches on the reassessment of all of the world’s cycad species, and 11. 2010 – International Year of Biodiversity. The the Shark Specialist Group is doing likewise with all the Steering Committee has devoted considerable attention sharks, rays and skates. to 2010, which provides a significant opportunity for SSC. A number of important and exciting new marine The 10th Conference of the Parties of the Convention on assessments will be completed shortly, including on Biological Diversity meets in Nagoya, Japan, in October mangroves, seagrasses, sea snakes, and several groups of 2010 and has two agenda items of critical importance for fishes. We are very grateful to Roger McManus for taking up us. The first is to agree a new target or targets to replace the new SSC position of Senior Counsel – Global Marine the existing 2010 Biodiversity Target. A long series of Species Assessment. Roger is spearheading the fundraising preparatory meetings is already underway, and we have for the marine species assessments, working closely with been involved in many of these. Tom Brooks has been Kent Carpenter and his team in the Species Programme. leading the SSC’s inputs at many of these meetings, for Our strategy to complete priority taxonomic groups which we are very grateful. We are pushing for an region by region is starting to pay off. The Mediterranean ambitious new biodiversity target that includes a broad Biodiversity Assessment is coming to an end, providing a understanding of biodiversity that encompasses species, unique overview of the situation in this biodiversity hotspot, ecosystems, and the services to people provided by highlighting the conservation priorities and guiding policy species and ecosystems. The second important item for actions – such as the review of the Barcelona Convention us is the Global Strategy on Plant Conservation (GSPC), Annexes – as well as the identification of KBAs and the a new version of which needs to be adopted in Nagoya. A definition of funding priorities for donors, like CEPF. The GSPC Liaison Group meeting took place in Dublin in May, African freshwater assessments are nearing completion, and attended by John Donaldson, Chair of the SSC Plant we are gearing up for a release in 2010, with a focus on Conservation Sub-Committee, Danna Leaman, Chair of freshwater fishes, molluscs, dragonflies, crabs and plants. the SSC Medicinal Plants Specialist Group, and Julie The second of six African regional assessment reports was Griffin from the Species Programme. Significant progress launched at the 2008 World Water Forum with the assistance has been made in developing a new GSPC, but much of IUCN’s Director General, Julia Marton-Lefèvre, and Anada work remains to be done over the coming months. We Tiega, the Secretary General of the Ramsar Convention on shall be implementing a focused communications Wetlands. The report can be found at: http://www.iucn.org/ strategy throughout 2010, which will include targeted Red about/work/programmes/species/our_work/about_ List updates for critical events. freshwater/#. Regional reports for the rest of Africa will be released in 2009. In Europe, building on the success of the All these new initiatives are cause for great excitement, but of 2007 assessment of all of Europe’s freshwater fishes and course the regular work of the SSC and the Species mammals, assessments for priority groups (vertebrates, Programme continues, and is more important than ever. The freshwater, selected plants and invertebrates) will be past year has seen some significant advances on the IUCN completed during 2009–2010 and recommendations provided Red List. An update took place in April which included the to the European Commission. The freshwater assessment latest results from some of our European assessments. A work is also now expanding rapidly into Asia. The expansion second update took place in early November, and this into Asia is largely due to a very successful fundraising included some important new results, including all the collaboration between Conservation International and the Sampled Red List Index (SRLI) Odonata, freshwater fishes, Freshwater Biodiversity Unit of the IUCN Species Programme.

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We expect to see a large increase in the number of plant assessments in the coming months, including regional assessments from South Africa, the Caucasus, and East Africa. The Cactus and Succulent Specialist Group is making very good headway with a global assessment of all cactus species; the initiative is based out of the Department of Animal and Plant Sciences at the University of Sheffield and is led by Dr Barbara Goettsch and Professor Kevin Gaston. Meanwhile, we continue to keep existing datasets current, with important updates on birds, mammals and amphibians taking place during 2009. The task of holding the Red List together falls to a handful of people in the Red List Unit in Cambridge, led by Craig Hilton-Taylor. This year has seen significant advances in the operating procedures and underlying software (the Species Information Service – SIS). Jim Ragle has been leading a complete overhaul of the SIS, and a significant upgrade of the Red List website. The new SIS is now being used widely in the SSC and is being rolled out to new Specialist Groups on a weekly basis. There are still issues with the SIS that Coral reef. © Matt Kieffer require further enhancement, but it is being improved very rapidly. This is a massive task and we all owe Craig and Jim a vote of thanks as we make this changeover to a system that bycatch initiative. The major marine publication, Adrift, will soon make all of our lives much easier in the SSC. produced in 2008, will be translated into other languages, We have both been heavily involved in the renegotiation of and a second book is now planned. The meeting also the Red List Partnership Agreement. The Red List focused on the disturbing evidence that the future of coral Partnership includes organizations that make substantial reefs is bleak unless atmospheric carbon dioxide levels can investments to support the IUCN Red List, in particular the be reduced to below 350 parts per million (ppm). Given that various biodiversity assessment projects that feed data into the current level is 387 ppm and rising, and that the the Red List. The current Red List Partners are BirdLife international negotiators at the time of writing seem unable to International, Conservation International (CI), NatureServe agree on measures that would stabilize the level even at and ZSL. All of these will remain partners under the renewed 450 ppm, it is clear that we are on the verge of a catastrophe agreement, but we are very excited that it looks like five new which could wipe out an entire marine ecosystem, with organizations will be joining the grouping. These are the untold impacts in terms of species extinctions, and loss of University of Rome (which is generously taking over the human livelihoods. We see this situation as being so serious support of the mammal red-listing from CI), the Royal Botanic that we have exceptionally given space in this issue of Gardens Kew (which is leading on the Sampled Red List for Species for a much longer article than usual explaining the plants), Botanic Gardens Conservation International (leading situation. This article is by the chair of our new Coral on tree assessments), Texas A&M University (supporting a Specialist Group, David Obura, and colleagues. number of assessments in the Americas), and Wildscreen The Plant Conservation Sub-Committee (PCSC) met at (which, through its project ARKive, will be providing the Kew on 20–21 October, chaired by John Donaldson. The imagery for the Red List). The expanded partnership greatly major breakthrough at the meeting was agreement on the broadens our approach and puts us in a very strong position priorities for SSC’s work on plant assessments for the IUCN for the coming years. Red List. In addition to the ongoing work on cacti, cycads Perhaps the crowning achievement of the Red List in and conifers, taxonomic priorities will include legumes, 2009 was the publication of Wildlife in a Changing World. This certain groups of orchids, carnivorous plants, and selected is an analysis of the 2008 Red List, and is beautifully groups of trees. The PCSC is also prioritizing work on produced, with an important introductory chapter on the sustainable use (especially on medicinal plants and crop wild importance and use of the Red List, entitled: “The IUCN Red relatives), and on engaging with new initiatives listed above, List: A Key Conservation Tool”. We encourage all SSC including on species conservation planning, the re- members to read it – it is good to remind ourselves why all the introduction guidelines, and climate change. At the time of effort that we put into the Red List is so important. You can writing, the Invertebrate Conservation Sub-Committee, find it on http://iucn.org/about/work/programmes/species/ chaired by Michael Samways, is preparing for its meeting in red_list/review/. Without the leadership of Jean-Christophe Bath on 28–29 October. and Craig, we could never have produced this publication. Fungal conservation in SSC has had a special boost: we The various SSC sub-committees have all been very have taken the exciting step of converting the former Fungi busy. The Marine Conservation Sub-Committee, chaired by Specialist Group that previously had a vast remit into four Yvonne Sadovy and Claudio Campagna, met in Cambridge unique specialist groups: Chytrids, Zygomycetes, Downy on 7–8 July and covered a very wide array of issues. The Mildews and Slime Moulds; Rusts and Smuts; Cup-fungi, meeting had a major focus on utilization pressures on marine Truffles and their Allies; and, Mushrooms, Brackets and species, and laid the groundwork for a proposed SSC Puffballs. The Lichen Specialist Group, chaired by Christoph

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Scheidegger, continues and will be the fifth of the suite of fungal Specialist Groups. An historic first SSC Fungal Conservation Meeting took place in Whitby, UK, on 26–30 October to plan the activities of the new SSC fungi network over the next quadrennium and agreed to develop an international federation of mycological associations. We thank especially Dave Minter for having the energy, vision and determination for spearheading this exciting new initiative. In the coming year we expect to devote greater efforts to examining the links between species and human well-being. In the race between conservation and development it is very clear that we need to identify and raise awareness of the importance of species to peoples’ livelihoods and to national Tiger (Panthera tigris). © Catlovers economies. In an effort to assist this process for wetlands we have developed “An Integrated Wetland Assessment Toolkit” held in Mendoza, we have now re-launched the New World which provides a methodology and case studies to determine Marsupial Specialist Group (being chaired by David Flores) the full value of a wetland in terms of its biodiversity, and the Australasian Marsupial and Monotreme Specialist economic value, and importance to peoples’ livelihoods, thus Group (being chaired by Chris Johnson). Also in Mendoza we filling an important methodological gap. You can find the had a meeting of the SSC Small Non-Volant Mammal Task report at: www.iucn.org/species/IWAToolkit. Force, chaired by Giovanni Amori. The job of this task force is The SSC shares a number of specialist groups, mainly on to design new SSC networks (Specialist Groups and Red List waterbirds, with Wetlands International (WI). Simon visited WI Authorities) to cover the rodents, shrews and hedgehogs. headquarters in the Netherlands in June to start the process The task force has now almost completed its report with of renegotiating the memorandum of understanding between clear recommendations on the way ahead, and this will be the two organizations, which governs how these specialist sent to the SSC Steering Committee shortly. We should have groups are managed. The work on this MOU is now reaching a full report on this in the next issue of Species. conclusion, after which the formal reappointment of these The Cat Specialist Group, chaired by Urs and Christine specialist groups will take place. Meanwhile these groups Breitenmoser, has also been busy on many fronts, including have remained active, despite their slightly “in limbo” status on a workshop in Rajasthan in September to plan for the which will not last much longer. proposed re-introduction of Cheetah to India (working with The Conservation Breeding Specialist Group (CBSG) has both the Re-introduction and Wildlife Health Specialist maintained its usual frenetic level of activity. How Bob Lacy Groups). Urs, working closely with Holly Dublin (in her and Onnie Byers keep up with it all is a mystery to us. A new position as the SSC Senior Advisor on Tigers), also did a lot governance arrangement for the CBSG has been agreed, of work to try to advance the proposed CITES Global Tiger and the group is now evaluating the new opportunities that Strategy. Unfortunately, in the end it proved impossible to are coming its way with the emergence of SSC’s new secure the resources to move this forward in the way that we species conservation planning initiative. CBSG is of course had hoped. Tigers will, however, remain an important focus the part of the SSC that links us most closely with the zoo of the SSC in 2010, it being the Year of the Tiger, with a community, and it is very encouraging to see the growing zoo proposed Global Tiger Summit later in the year. support of in situ conservation programmes, and also the The Wildlife Health Specialist Group has worked with direct support provided to an increasing number of SSC both the African and Asian Rhino Specialist Groups to Specialist Groups. Simon was able to take part in the CBSG produce an important new publication, Guidelines for the In Steering Committee meeting in Abu Dhabi in March, as well Situ Re-introduction and Translocation of African and Asian as the annual meetings of the European Association of Zoos Rhinoceros. We thank Richard Kock, Rajan Amin and and Aquariums in Copenhagen in September and of the Richard Emslie for their leadership in bringing this publication World Association of Zoos and Aquariums in St Louis in to completion. October (at which Jane also spoke). Highlighting a few specialist groups, as we have done Simon has had a lot of involvement with the mammal here, inevitably means that we have failed to draw attention specialist groups over recent months. At the International to other excellent work being done by many of the groups. Mammalogical Congress in Mendoza, Argentina, in August, We plan to highlight more groups in our next report, and meetings were held with seven mammal specialist group apologize now to all those that we have not mentioned here. chairs: Gabriela Lichtenstein (South American Camelids), Our work in support of CITES has continued unabated. Claudio Sillero (Canids), Mariella Superina (Anteaters, Sloths Dena Cator has been leading on this in the Species and Armadillos), Andrew Taber (Peccaries), Marco Festa- Programme, working closely with Thomasina Oldfield who Bianchet (Caprinae), Susana Gonzalez (Deer), and Jerry works jointly with the Species Programme and TRAFFIC Belant (Small Carnivores). A number of these groups had International. Important meetings of the CITES Standing, meetings, and we also held training sessions in both red- Animals and Plants Committees have taken place this year. listing and the use of the new SIS software (these courses SSC Specialist Groups have been active on a number of were run very successfully by Caroline Pollock, Dena Cator, issues in relation to CITES, including on trade in Nile Jan Schipper and Arturo Mora). As a result of discussions Crocodiles from Madagascar, trade in Crowned Cranes from

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East Africa, the export of Bottle-nosed Dolphins from the Solomon Islands, and the trade in Humphead Wrasse in East and Southeast Asia. The vital role that Specialist Groups play in relation to CITES is as important as ever. We are now gearing up for the next CITES Conference of the Parties in Qatar next March, and, thanks to the generosity of a number of governments, we have recently been successful in securing the funding to enable us to carry out the Analyses of Proposals to Amend the CITES Appendices for the ninth successive CITES Conference. As usual, we shall carry out the Analyses, which are of vital importance in providing the CITES Parties with objective information on which to make decisions, in collaboration with TRAFFIC.

We have both made a number of important trips to speak Raoul du Toit. © Susie Ellis at important international meetings. For example, Simon spoke at the 125th anniversary celebrations of the Bombay Natural History Society in February, attended a species meeting convened by the Wildlife Conservation Society at result, the government met with senior SSC officials in Harare White Oak, Florida, in May on “What does it Mean to Save a on 19 October, and we hope that there will now be firm Species?”, spoke at the London Symposium on Biodiversity action to greatly reduce the very high levels of poaching. The Monitoring, organized by the Zoological Society of London, in South American Camelid Specialist Group also requested an June, and took part in a debate on “How Should We Set intervention to parliamentary officials in Argentina concerning Priorities for Conservation Action and Research?” at Bristol draft legislation that could have a serious impact on wild Zoo in November. In her new role, Jane is now responsible for populations of Guanaco and Vicuña. The Director General the development of IUCN’s position on a post 2010 sent that letter, and we await the outcome of this intervention. framework (new overarching targets, goals and indicators More recently, Julia also wrote (at the recommendation of the within the context of a revised Strategic Plan for the CBD) Crane Specialist Group) to the Prime Minister of China which has meant attendance at a number of meetings. These concerning proposals to place a barrage at the outlet of have included one held in Jeju, Korea, organized by the Poyang Lake, where 98% of the world’s Siberian Cranes WCPA and Protected Areas Programme (also attended by spend the winter, and we await a response on this one. We SSC Steering Committee member Tom Brooks) to discuss would like to express our thanks to Julia and her office for the the CBD Protected Area Programme of Work (a key policy seriousness and efficiency with which she has responded to instrument for biodiversity conservation) and a meeting held these requests for letters. last month in Kobe, Japan; the Kobe Dialogue, hosted by the It is fitting to close this report by recognizing a member of Japanese Government (obviously a key player for 2010) SSC who has shown exemplary commitment to species discussed engagement in biodiversity conservation by the conservation in the most challenging of circumstances. On CBD as well as options for a new target framework. 19 October we awarded SSC’s highest honour, the Sir Peter This year we have had to make several interventions to Scott Award for Conservation Merit, to Raoul du Toit, a long- address some crucially important species conservation serving member of the African Rhino Specialist Group. Raoul issues. At the request of the Bat Specialist Group, Simon has worked on the conservation of both Black and White wrote to the Government of the Seychelles asking them to Rhinos in Zimbabwe for 20 years, and without his efforts extend a planned nature reserve so that it included the there would probably be very few remaining animals in that foraging areas of the Critically Endangered Seychelles Free- country. Raoul’s example shows us that with dedication, tailed Bat. We were absolutely delighted when we received a commitment and inspiring leadership, conservation does response from the Minister of Environment agreeing to this work. Please join us in congratulating Raoul on this request. At the urging of the Goose Specialist Group, the outstanding achievement. IUCN Director General, Julia Marton-Lefèvre, wrote to the Prime Minister of Ukraine to draw attention to the illegal mass poisoning of geese in that country. We have recently received Simon Stuart a response confirming that the government is now carrying Chair, IUCN Species Survival Commission out investigations into the incident. The Director General also wrote to the Government of Zimbabwe, at the request of the Jane Smart African Rhino Specialist Group, to urge actions to address Head, IUCN Species Programme the serious escalation in rhino poaching in that country. As a Director, Biodiversity Conservation Group

species 50 • 7 350 or bust ... Coral reefs will not survive current ‘best- case’ targets for climate change mitigation

That climate change already poses a threat to species, ecosystems and people, and that this will increase over time, is no longer in serious doubt. The big question is how large will the threat become, what can we do about it, and what are the policy positions that must be made to limit the threat as much as is possible?

Climate change targets

As the leading global organization on nature conservation and sustainable development, IUCN and its members have over the last decade increased attention to climate impacts on species and people. At the 4th Assembly in Barcelona, in October 2008, two resolutions were passed with specific reference to climate change targets and national/international policy: Resolution 4.075 “Climate change mitigation targets and actions for biodiversity conservation” and Resolution 4.076 “Biodiversity conservation and climate change mitigation and adaptation in national policies and strategies”. The former references specific targets determined by the IPCC 4th Assessment Report in 2007, to which IUCN has committed itself. Specifically, the resolution recognizes that global climate warming of 2°C will result in significant impacts to ecosystems, agricultural systems and people, some of Elkhorn Coral (Acropora palmata). © Scubaben which may be severe and irreversible. This has formed the basis of IUCN’s, and many other conservation organizations’ positions on climate change, particularly with the extreme importance of the upcoming UNFCCC CoP in Copenhagen stabilization scenario of 1000 ppm CO2EQ was estimated to in December this year and its mandate to set post-Kyoto result in 5.5°C warming (range 3.7–8.3°C). targets for limiting climate change. The most recent data indicate that in 2009, even as the Among the scenarios derived by the IPCC for global UNFCCC is gaining support globally and countries are climate change, the best case is scenario B1 (Parry et al. increasingly making commitments to limit climate change,

2007). Stated simply, this predicts stabilization of greenhouse CO2 emissions are increasing annually and total atmospheric concentrations are ABOVE the worst-case scenario gases at 450 ppm CO2EQ, which gives a mean global warming of 2.1°C (range 1.4–3.1°C). A worst-case (Raupach et al., 2007; Richardson et al., 2009). Further, it is 1 widely overlooked that the 2°C/450 ppm CO2 target gives only a 50% probability of success (Figure 1). Even more 1. Henceforth, “ppm CO ” and “ppm CO equivalent” are not differentiated in 2 2 alarming, achieving this target requires massive reductions in the text, and we refer to the 450 target of the IPCC. The conversion from global emissions below 1990 levels by 2050, in the order of actual measures of CO2 to estimates of CO2 EQ varies among technical groups and depends on different assumptions about the ratios of other 80% AND almost immediate reductions to minimize over- greenhouse gasses. Because of the effects of CO on ocean acidification, 2 shoot and lag effects. With countries shying off committing to and its impact on corals, we use CO2 rather than degrees of warming, which is easily measured, as the latter is only one aspect of climate change interim reduction targets (e.g. by 2020), it is highly unlikely that is relevant. that the 450 target will be achieved.

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Coral and coral reef impacts and vulnerability

The vulnerability of coral reefs to climate change (increasing sea surface temperatures) has become increasingly well known in scientific circles, and among protected area and resource managers. Even the public eye has been caught, as media outlets focus on the dramatic images of extensive areas of corals bleaching white and subsequently dying. With few marine species on the Red List, the Global Marine Species Assessment (GMSA) was established to increase their representation, partially against the backdrop of popular wisdom that felt that marine species are less vulnerable to extinction than terrestrial species, partly because of higher connectivity due to ocean currents and the Figure 1. A 2°C target is achieved at only a 50% probability under much larger biosphere that supports marine life. One of the the BEST climate change scenario (B1). Projected global mean priority taxonomic groups for which red-listing was temperature change in 2090 to 2099 relative to 1980 to 1999 for undertaken was scleractinian, or stony, corals, because of the six SRES marker scenarios based on results from different their role as foundation species for coral reef ecosystems, and independent models. (From Figure TS.27, IPCC 2007). clear evidence of impacts to reefs from a broad variety of threats growing over decades and their sudden vulnerability to climate change in the last two decades. Strict application

Figure 2. Coral bleaching is one of the first climate impacts, starting at just over zero °C rise in temperature. Examples of global impacts projected for changes in global temperature (Derived from Table TS.3, IPCC 2007). In updated references (e.g. Fischlin et al., 2007), widespread coral mortality, or “irreversible and catastrophic decline” occurs at <2°C warming.

species 50 • 9 350 or bust ... Coral reefs will not survive current ‘best-case’ targets for climate change mitigation of the Red List criteria resulted in over one third of all species species and reefs, and for other marine species and being listed as threatened (Carpenter et al. 2008). That a environments, were considered. Specifically, how can the globally distributed group of marine species should attain SSC, as well as IUCN’s other organs, be said to be meeting higher threat proportions than such classically vulnerable its mandate if major components of the biosphere are under groups as amphibians was a shock to all participants, and such massive threat, and current policy does not sufficiently contributed to a decision to include corals as a pilot species account for this? group in an IUCN Species Programme project looking at For IUCN and other conservation organizations, this begs traits that contribute to climate vulnerability in species in an urgent review of the currently held position, arrived at in order to adopt these into the red-listing process (see Species recent months based on information tabled at that point, that 49, p. 19). a 450 target was acceptable. Working from “known- The IPCC considered how vulnerable different sectors are unknowns” and their ilk: to climate change (Figure 2), showing coral reefs as one of • From worse-than-worst to best case – from the current the key examples. The notable feature being that among the position of exceeding even the worst case projections, different sectors shown, global bleaching of coral reefs what scope is there for shifting global practice to the occurs at the lowest threshold of temperature increase. More best-case scenario? accurately, reef scientists predict that irreversible and • even the best is only half-good – is it a reasonable catastrophic decline occurs at 1.7°C warming (Fischlin et al. position for organizations mandated with protecting 2007). Add to this the effects of ocean acidification, which species and ecosystems to lobby for a position premised were not incorporated into those estimates, and the on a probability of success of only 50%? prognosis for corals and reefs is extremely dire. • And even that is not good enough – with strong evidence The significant issue here is that this is the best case (“virtually certain” in IPCC parlance) that the current scenario under consideration at the UNFCCC and that EVEN conservation target is too much for critical species and THIS has only a 50% probability of success. Estimated to ecosystems, such as coral reefs, how can we negotiate harbour around one third of all described marine species, for this if it is not even between the goalposts? with 500 million people (8% of the world’s population) living within 100 km, and an economic value of $172–375 billion More generally, additional issues frame the debate about the per year, coral reefs are extremely valuable ecosystems role of conservation and sustainable development (Veron et al., 2009). That countries and agencies may be organizations, working to minimize the risks and impacts of prepared to sacrifice them should send a chilling message to climate change to both nature and people: any person, organization or country with interests in the • Re-setting the boundaries on the negotiating biodiversity, human well-being or economic activity space. As scientific understanding of climate change and associated with coral reefs. impacts improves, a framework for adjusting policy targets must be available, PARTICULARLY, as in this case, where these move the goalposts OUTSIDE of the Coral Reef Crisis statement/findings current debate. We must proactively prepare for future negotiating positions and not be hamstrung by positions On 6 July 2009, the Royal Society, the Zoological Society of based on antiquated information. London and the International Programme for the State of the • Response time is rapidly running out. As time passes Ocean facilitated a Coral Reef Crisis meeting to identify key without sufficient action, the lower boundary for climate thresholds of atmospheric carbon dioxide needed for coral change rises. There are only 5–10 years remaining to reefs to remain viable. The statement from the workshop is implement the emissions reductions needed to achieve included in Box 1, and reported in Veron et al. (2009). the current ‘best scenario’ 450 target. If the prognosis already accepted by the scientific • Time lags. Lag times are critical issues in climate community and expressed in the IPCC reports was bad, change, not just in the effects of greenhouse gases being these most recent clarifications are far worse. The basic felt (as indicated in the statement), but also in the message of the group of scientists was that the planet has domains of science, policy and response. The cycle from ALREADY passed a critical stage for coral reefs (at about assessment through understanding to policy and action

320–350 ppm CO2; current levels are 387 ppm CO2), and for must be streamlined to minimize such lags, and NGOs any hope for coral reefs to survive into the future CO2 levels and IGOs have a critical role to play in this regard. must be REDUCED below 350 ppm. • Carbon sequestration. The Coral Reef Crisis statement

That is, the current best-case target will ENSURE calls for REDUCING CO2 levels below present levels. Not significant numbers of coral species are likely to go extinct only will this require a rapid emissions reductions and/or lose their functional capacity to form reefs, and that response it also will require the implementation of carbon this will have a domino effect on adjacent ecosystems. sequestration technologies and approaches that don’t themselves have unacceptable consequences (for example, not addressing, or even increasing, the ocean Policy acidification threat), involve too-slow process rates or result in insufficient emissions reduction commitments. At the annual meeting of the SSC’s Marine Conservation • Institutional policy and diversity. How can IUCN best Sub-Committee on 7–8 July 2009, the broader implications develop and adjust overall policy on this key issue? As the of this finding for achieving conservation targets for coral relevant body within the Species Survival Commission,

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<450 critical thresholds? Is there enough being invested Box 1. The Coral Reef Crisis: Scientific justification in research and assessments to determine these for critical CO threshold levels of <350ppm 2 BEFORE these thresholds are passed?

Output of the technical working group meeting at the Royal Society, London, 6 July 2009 The UNFCCC at Copenhagen will take as its primary 1. Coral reefs are the most biologically diverse habitats of the scientific input the Fourth Assessment Report of the IPCC. oceans and provide essential ecosystem goods and This is already two years out of date (further if you consider services to hundreds of millions of people. the length of time for preparation) and of course based on 2. Temperature-induced mass coral bleaching causing consensus. Scientific data arising since the fourth assessment widespread mortality on the Great Barrier Reef and many has already dramatically changed our understanding about

other reefs of the world started when atmospheric CO2 the rate and consequences of climate change and has been exceeded 320ppm. accompanied by observations of significant changes in 3. At today’s level of 387ppm CO , reefs are seriously declining 2 marine ecosystems from the poles to the tropics. Policy and time-lagged effects will result in their continued demise should reflect best assessment of the latest information and with parallel impacts on other marine and coastal should be adjusted when significant new scientific findings ecosystems. come to light. While governmental and intergovernmental 4. Proposals to limit CO2 levels to 450ppm will not prevent the catastrophic loss of coral reefs from the combined effects of policy understandably has a heavy inertia, NGOs/IGOs should climate change and ocean acidification. exemplify a nimbler approach to policy review. 5. To ensure the long-term viability of coral reefs the There will be little time for a renegotiation of the next

atmospheric CO2 level must be reduced significantly below climate deal because critical thresholds will have been 350ppm. passed or will be unavoidable in the Earth’s climate system

6. In addition to major reductions in CO2 emissions, achieving and biosphere. Where current negotiations do not reflect the this safe level will require the active removal of CO from the 2 true threat to the Earth’s ecosystems, as the Coral Reef Crisis atmosphere. statement and its scientific justification clearly demonstrates 7. Given the above, ecosystem-based management of other (Veron et al. 2009), then NGOs/IGOs must be prepared to direct human-induced stresses on coral reefs, such as over- challenge governmental policy and argue for the adoption of fishing, destructive fishing, coastal pollution and sedimentation, will be essential for the survival of coral reefs target levels based on what the best science is telling us. on which we are all dependent. References Carpenter, K. et al. (2008) One-Third of Reef-Building Corals Face Elevated Signatories to the statement, at the time of publication, include: Extinction Risk from Climate Change and Local Impacts. Science 321: Sir David Attenborough FRS (working group co-chair), Prof. 560–563. Ken Caldeira (Carnegie Institution for Science), Dr Ann Clarke Fischlin, A. et al. (2007) Ecosystems, their properties, goods and services. In: (Frozen Ark Project), Prof. James Crabbe (University of Parry, M.L., Canziani, O.F., Palutikof, J.P., van der Linden, P.J. & Hanson C.E. (Eds.) Impacts, Adaptation and Vulnerability, Contribution of Working Bedfordshire), Prof. Andreas Fischlin (Swiss Federal Institute Group II to the Fourth Assessment Report of the Intergovernmental Panel of Technology, in his own capacity), Prof. Ove Hoegh-Guldberg on Climate Change. Cambridge University Press, U.K. pp 211–272. (University of Queensland), Dr Simon Harding (Globe Parry, M. et al. (2007) Climate change 2007: Impacts, adaptation and International), Rachel Jones (Zoological Society of London), Vulnerability. Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change. ISBN 92-9169- 121-6. 93 pp. Prof. Tim Lenton (University of East Anglia), Dr David Obura Raupach, M.R., et al. (2007) Global and regional drivers of accelerating global (IUCN Coral Specialist Group), Paul Pearce-Kelly (Zoological CO2 emissions. Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences 104: Society of London and IUCN Invertebrate Conservation 10288–10293. Committee), Dr Dirk Peterson (SECOR), Dr Peter Read (Pacific Richardson, K. et al. (2009) Synthesis Report from Climate Change: Global Marine Environment), Dr Chris Reid (Sir Alister Hardy Risks, Challenges and Decisions. Copenhagen 2009, 10–12th March. University of Copenhagen. 39pp Foundation for Ocean Science/Marine Institute), Prof. Callum Veron, J.E.N., O. Hoegh-Guldberg, T.M. Lenton, J.M. Lough, D.O. Obura, P. Roberts (University of York), Dr Alex Rogers (International Pearce-Kelly, C.R.C. Sheppard, M. Spalding, M.G. Stafford-Smith, A.D. Programme on the State of the Ocean), Dr Chris Sabine Rogers (2009) The coral reef crisis: The critical importance of <350 ppm CO . Marine Pollution Bulletin 58 (2009) 1428 1436. doi:10.1016/j. (Pacific Marine Environmental), Prof. Charles Sheppard 2 marpolbul.2009.09.009. (University of Warwick), Dr Mark Spalding (The Nature For IPCC documents, go to: http://www.ipcc.ch/ Conservancy), Dr Mary Stafford-Smith (Coral Reef Research), Jon Taylor (World Wildlife Fund), Dr Kristan Teleki (International Coral Reef Action Network), Dr John Turner (Bangor D.O. Obura CORDIO East Africa, Kenya and Chair of the IUCN Coral University), Dr Philip Willamson (University of East Angelia), Specialist Group. [email protected] Prof. John Veron (Coral Reef Research). A.D. Rogers Zoological Society of London, London and Scientific Director of the International Programme on the State of the Ocean, IUCN SSC Coral Specialist Group the Coral Specialist Group is endorsing the 350 target, P. Pearce-Kelly Zoological Society of London and IUCN Invertebrate Conservation Committee, Conservation Breeding Specialist Group, but the IUCN as a whole may be constrained in doing so Reintroduction Specialist Group and Mollusc Specialist Group because of the 2009 Congress commitment to a 450 J.E.N. Veron Coral Reef Research, Townsville, IUCN Coral Specialist Group. target. How can we ensure consistency of message in response to the best available science? John Veron’s Royal Society presentation Is the Great Barrier Reef on Death Row? can be viewed on the following link: www.royalsociety.tv • what are the most recent findings for other Go to: https://www.zsl.org/science/news/join-our-campaign-to-save-the- systems? What other vulnerable systems also have worlds-coral,1209,AR.html

species 50 • 11 feature The contribution of species to ecosystem services

Recognizing how much human welfare depends on the continued prosperity of many species

Ecosystem services are the benefits many plants – including 87 of the 113 The third main category covers the that people receive from ecosystems. leading food crops and 35% of all food supporting services, the underlying This frankly anthropocentric production – to reproduce. This processes that are necessary for the perspective was adopted by the 2005 ecosystem service provided by production of all other ecosystem Millennium Ecosystem Assessment species is worth US$ 197 billion per services. These include nutrient (MA) and covers four broad categories year, not including their contribution to cycling, soil formation, primary of services, all of which relate to the production of crop seeds, forage production, photosynthesis, and water species. These benefits include the and pasture grasses, or to maintaining cycling. Many of these directly relate to straight-forward provisioning services, the structure and function of natural species. Photosynthesis, for example, such as food, timber, fibre, genetic ecosystems (a value beyond is the process by which carbon resources, and water, as well as calculation). Pest regulation also dioxide, water, and sunlight are products from the wild (usually depends on predators, such as bats, captured by plants to form sugar and species). These provisioning services toads, raptors, snakes, and so forth oxygen that both influences the air feed all of humanity and provide many that consume vast numbers of the people and most other animals other goods as well. While most people major animal pests of crops or forests. breathe, and the food that many depend primarily on domesticated For example, a single colony of animals eat. Fueled by the energy species for their dietary needs, some Mexican free-tailed bats eats more captured by plant species, the 200 million are dependent on wild than 9,000 kilograms of insects per chemical cycles of carbon, sulphur, species for at least part of their food night, targeting especially corn and many other elements support and up to 90% of coastal populations earthworms and fall armyworms, both most life on earth (exceptions include in some parts of the world earn their important crop predators. A single the bizarre life forms that thrive in the primary income (as well as their food) brood of woodpeckers can eat 8,000– extreme environments of deep-sea from fishing. Species still contribute to 12,000 harmful insect pupae per day, hydrothermal vents). Primary crops; more than 60 wild species have helping maintain the health of forests, productivity is expressed directly been used to improve the 13 major and in fruit plantations, insectivorous through species, while soil formation is crops by providing genes for pest birds can make the difference between utterly dependent on the species that resistance, improved yield, and a bumper crop or a costly failure. live in the soil, including earthworms, enhanced nutrition. In some countries, Waste regulation is not usually of termites, and thousands of other types medicinal plants and animals provide particular interest to most people of invertebrates and microbes. most of the drugs people use, and working on species, but of course all Species-rich soils help to reduce soil even in technologically advanced species produce waste and those who erosion, store more carbon, and cycle countries like the USA, half of the 100 clean up after them are performing an more water, thereby contributing to most-prescribed drugs originate from important ecosystem service. These many ecosystem services. wild species. All of these provisioning species include the bottom feeders The fourth general category is services are relatively easy to identify which survive on dead whales that fall to something of a conceptual and quantify. the bottom of the sea, hyenas and breakthrough: cultural services, the More subtle are the regulating vultures which feed on dead animals, non-material benefits people obtain services derived from the control of and microbial species which from ecosystem services. These natural processes by ecosystems, for decompose dead vegetation and include ethical, spiritual, religious, example regulating air quality, climate, convert it to fertile soil. Dung beetles esthetic, and other values people water, erosion, disease, and pests. have a dirty job, but their recycling of the attach to ecosystems, landscapes or Many of these services are specifically droppings of other animals also helps to species. Many species provide species-related, especially pollination, disperse seeds, recycle nutrients, and substantial cultural services: the giant the animal-assisted transfer of pollen suppress parasites. Even the seemingly panda represents China; eagles between plants, which provides an lowliest of species serve critical symbolize many countries; many extremely valuable service in enabling regulating functions in ecosystems. athletic teams are named for animals

12 • species 50 feature

(usually fierce ones); indigenous peoples often revere large predators; and tourists spend billions of dollars per year to watch birds or whales, or witness wildlife spectacles such as the great annual migrations in the Serengeti ecosystem of Tanzania and Kenya. Cultural services can also be assessed by the existence values that people place on simply knowing that a species or ecosystem exists even if they do not use it. For example, many people express substantial existence values by donating time or money to conserve their favourite species, often charismatic ones like giant pandas, elephants, tigers, birds, and so forth. Another cultural service is the provision of recreation and ecotourism, with much ecotourism being species-oriented. Visitors to national parks, for example, appreciate the wildlife they see, and the thriving diving industry is fundamentally based on the species of coral, fish, and other marine Medicinal plants. © Howard G. Charing species that people see. The concept of ecosystem services is a metaphor that was designed to build stronger support among people, including decision- makers, for ensuring that the genes, species, and ecosystems that provide the foundation for all of these services receive the attention they require to survive, and prosper, in a time of rapid change. Species remain the most tangible and readily recognized element in this equation, and the one with which people most readily identify. But the concept of ecosystem services also recognizes that no species exists by itself, being dependent on an extensive network of other species, as prey, predators, parasites, resting places, and so forth. Pollination by a Western Honey Bee (Apis mellifera). © Chris Willis Effective conservation of species can be strengthened by adopting the fundamental principles of ecosystem services as a means of demonstrating the utility of species to people. This should not be considered simply “putting a price tag on species”, but rather recognizing how much human welfare depends on the continued prosperity of the rest of the species with whom we share our planet.

Jeff McNeely Chief Scientist, IUCN

species 50 • 13 Fishermen. © Michael Zimmel Specialist Group Exchange

Programme and the US Fish & Wildlife It is increasingly likely that the future of Service (USFWS), will be a server- the northern white rhino will rest on the based, spatially enabled database which efforts of the Dvur Kralove Zoo and its will house and analyse population, range partners to enhance the breeding and other data on African and Asian prospects of a small number of elephants. As the official repository of currently captive rhinos. This belief has MIKE data, it is a huge step forward in arisen from surveys of the last known helping provide a central home for data range of wild rhinos in and around on both African and Asian elephants. Garamba National Park, DRC, which And, in the future, the database will have failed to locate any sign of the four extend to additional species. The AAED individuals known to have been present will allow much greater functionality than in 2005. the previous African Elephant Database The AfRSG’s Scientific Officer (AED), such as time series comparisons attended a workshop in the Czech which will be a very useful tool for both Republic (2008) aimed at identifying the researchers and policy makers. best options for ensuring the survival of In other AfESG news, members are the Northern White Rhino. It was facing serious challenges in Central and agreed that attempts to artificially African Elephant (Loxodonta africana). © Alex Cortes West Africa. In the Democratic Republic inseminate the captive females, and of Congo, Dr John Hart and his wife other interventions, should continue African Elephant SG Terese are working closely with while potential locations in Africa to government officials to build support for which they could be translocated are Supporting policy decision-making conservation initiatives in the Congo evaluated. The principal strategy would Basin (http://www.bonoboincongo. involve their relocation on a The African Elephant Specialist Group com/). Dr Iain Douglas-Hamilton’s Save custodianship basis to a safe location, (AfESG) continues to work closely with the Elephants is working with the WILD with suitable habitat in either Kenya or the Convention on International Trade in Foundation and the Ministry of South Africa. This rationale is based on Endangered Species (CITES), to Environment in Mali to save the last opinion that artificial social and habitat provide sound scientific advice and desert elephants in West Africa. conditions are considered to be key support to its decision-making Located Mali’s Gourma district of the factors in their failure to breed in processes. In June 2008 and March country, these elephants are suffering captivity; this is further supported by 2009, AfESG supported the CITES-led from the worst drought in 26 years experiences with captive Southern African Elephant Meetings in Mombasa (http://www.savetheelephants.org/). White Rhinos. and Nairobi respectively, at which However, success is not guaranteed African elephant range states took Diane Skinner – even if the four or so potential significant steps forward for continental African Elephant Specialist Group breeders from captivity were to breed, collaboration on behalf of elephant they would still be on the borderline of conservation. AfESG facilitated the genetic viability. If development of a Strategic Framework African Rhino SG proved to be for the African Elephant Action Plan. too little This serves as the foundation for the A survival strategy for northern too late, African Elephant Action Plan, a draft of white rhino and black rhino in then which was completed in March 2009 Zimbabwe and is currently being finalized by a Working Group of range State Two of the most important strategic representatives. initiatives that the African Rhino Another exciting initiative is the Specialist Group (AfRSG) are currently development of the African and Asian involved in are the survival strategy for Elephant Database (AAED), a joint the Northern White Rhino project of the AfESG and the Asian (Ceratotherium simum ssp. cottoni), Elephant Specialist Group. The AAED, and the management of the Black funded by the CITES MIKE (Monitoring Rhino (Diceros ssp. bicornis minor) in the Illegal Killing of Elephants) Zimbabwe. White Rhino (Ceratotherium simum). © Alex Cortes

14 • species 50 specialist group exchange

Ranita Dorado Amphibian Reserve. © Alex Cortes theRoutcome could be tragic given that Amphibian SG NGO, Fundación ProAves. The owners feasible strategies for their survival, agreed, so I immediately approached involving translocation of founder Amphibian reserve launched the IUCN/SSC Amphibian Specialist populations out of the Garamba NP in Colombia Group and IUCN Netherlands for population from as early as the 1980s, emergency support.” were recommended by the AfRSG but An exciting new partnership between The two groups promptly provided never adopted. the IUCN/SSC Amphibian Specialist the support necessary to purchase the The situation for the black rhino in Group, IUCN Netherlands, land and resources for the long-term Zimbabwe is critically balanced Dendrobatidae Nederland, Conservation protection and management of the area. following an escalation of poaching in International-Colombia and Fundación In early December, the newly named recent years, and the very low arrest/ ProAves, has led to the launch of a new “Ranita Dorada Amphibian Reserve”, conviction rates are a serious cause for amphibian reserve to protect named after the Little Golden Poison concern. This could nullify the growth spectacular poison frogs in Colombia. Frog, was launched. in the population which has taken place Colombia has more threatened This action comes at a crucial over the last decade. Zimbabwe is one amphibians than any other country, moment when conservation measures of the major range states for black largely restricted to highly fragmented are urgently needed for this highly rhino and has a number of populations subtropical and montane forests which sensitive group. Amphibians’ regarded by the AfRSG as key to the are unprotected and at threat of dependence on clean freshwater and survival of the taxon. It was also one of agricultural expansion. Within Colombia sensitivity to deforestation and climate three countries flagged for attention at the hotspot of threatened amphibians is change gives added urgency that we the CITES Conference of Parties 14, the Central Cordillera, which also has take greater care of them as our own due to concerns over the status of its the greatest concentration of coffee health and survival depend on the same rhino and the control of poaching and production in South America and is resources. illegal trade. almost denuded of natural forests. The AfRSG has been mandated After extensive searches of the Robin Moore (with TRAFFIC) to report to the CITES Central Cordillera for amphibians, Amphibian Specialist Group Secretariat on, inter alia, the status and herpetologist and Fundación ProAves security of African rhinos. An President, Alonso Quevedo, with assessment of the status of ecologist Oscar Gallego, discovered Antelope SG Zimbabwe’s 14 Black Rhino one of the largest surviving forest populations was carried out in May fragments, a mere 200 acres of forest Conserving West 2009, with excellent cooperation from on its eastern flank. Not only did Alonso African Giraffes the Zimbabwean authorities. The discover that the 200 acres contained (Giraffa results, combined with those from many threatened amphibians, but that it camelopardalis TRAFFIC, will be submitted to the held many previously undescribed peralta) CITES Secretariat and CoP 15 for species including two spectacular consideration. It is hoped that this will poison frogs, recently named as the Currently, the last 200 contribute to a significant improvement Swainson’s Poison Frog (Ranitomeya surviving representatives of in the situation for rhinos in Zimbabwe. doriswainsonae) and Little Golden the West African Giraffe, The AfRSG also hopes to assist the Poison Frog (Ranitomeya tolimense). (Giraffa camelopardalis Zimbabwean National Parks and Sadly this last 200 acres was in the peralta), are largely Wildlife Management Authority by process of being cleared for avocado restricted to a non- providing training in some key aspects and coffee plantations and would almost protected area of about of rhino management. certainly seal the fate of countless 100,000 ha in the Kouré These AfRSG activities are amphibians and other unique biodiversity. region of Niger, about generously supported by WWF, the “In an urgent bid to save this unique 60 km east of the International Rhino Foundation and island of amphibian diversity” said capital Niamey. Under Save the Rhino International. Alonso Quevedo, “I negotiated with the auspices of the different land owners of the 200-acre Ministère de Martin Brooks forest to stop clearing forest and sell l’Environnement et de Chair, African Rhino Specialist Group the land to the national conservation la Lutte contre la

Giraffe (Giraffa camelopardalis). © Rick Brenneman

speciesspecies 50 50 • • 15 specialist group exchange

Lowland Anoa (Bubalus depressicornis). © Edinburgh Zoo Banteng attendees. © Ms. Ikeu Sri Rejeki, KKH, Indonesian Ministry of Forestry

Désertification of Niger, the Programme workshop can be found in the final been identified by the Indonesian Régional Parc W of ECOPAS report by Brenneman, R., Chardonnet, Directorate General of Forest Protection (Ecosystèmes Protégés en Afrique P., Cioffolo, I., Desbiez, A., Fenessy, J., and Nature Conservation as high Soudano-Sahélienne) called a meeting Leus, K. and Paolini, C. priorities for species conservation. of 40 stakeholders in Niamey from (http://www.cbsg.org/cbsg/ Earthwatch Institute and European September 29 until October 3, 2008 to workshopreports/23/niger_giraffe_ and American Zoos were among the conduct a Population and Habitat phva_2008.pdf). organizations sponsoring the two Viability Assessment (PHVA). The workshops, hosted by the Indonesia IUCN/SSC/CBSG (Conservation Acknowledgements Ministry of Forestry and the IUCN/ Breeding Specialist Group) was invited We would like to thank the Ministère de Species Survival Commission’s Asian to facilitate the PHVA and build a Vortex l’Environnement et de la Lutte contre la Wild Cattle Specialist Group, of which computer simulation model to assist Désertification of Niger, the W-ECOPAS Earthwatch Research Manager decision-making. The workshop was Program, the IUCN/SSC/CBSG and the Dr James Burton is chair. More than funded by the European Commission International Giraffe Working Group. 110 representatives from provincial and development fund (7 ACP RPR 742). national forestry departments, local and Overall it was very clear that the fate Philippe Chardonnet and international NGOs, and Indonesian zoo of the last population of West African David Mallon staff and academics, agreed to the Giraffes is closely linked to the fate of Co-Chairs, Antelope Specialist Group mid-term rescue plans. the local communities in the distribution The anoas and babirusa are area of the giraffe. Projects promoting endemic to Sulawesi Island in central the sustainable livelihood of the local Asian Wild Cattle SG Indonesia, while the banteng is found in inhabitants are key to the long-term isolated populations on Java and conservation of the giraffe. The Workshops provide hope for Asian/ Kalimantan. These species act as modelling showed the importance of Indonesian large mammals important flagships for their respective early detection, monitoring and threatened with extinction islands and play a vital role in their mitigation of severe ecological, natural environment by helping to epidemiological and political Ten-year plans to conserve four of maintain habitat diversity through catastrophes that could eventually Indonesia’s most threatened species grazing. They also represent a major decimate the population. It illustrated were agreed at two workshops in May reservoir of genetic material that could the importance of halting habitat loss 2009. help scientists to safeguard and and ensuring giraffes can expand their The Mountain Anoa (Bubalus improve domestic cattle breeds distribution to neighbouring zones quarlesi) and Lowland Anoa (Bubalus throughout the world. This is best without increased anthropogenic depressicornis) – two species of Dwarf represented by the banteng, which has mortality. The establishment of a new Buffalo, as well as the Babirusa a domesticated form – the Bali cattle, separate giraffe population as extra (Babyrousa spp.), a wild pig, and widely used for meat and milk insurance was widely discussed. Banteng (Bos javanicus), a wild cattle production across Indonesia and other The PHVA workshop was a major species, are all threatened with Southeast Asian countries. step in an ongoing process of extinction according to the IUCN Red The workshops represented the developing a “Long-term Conservation List of Threatened Species 2008. close partnership between Earthwatch Strategy for the Giraffe in Niger”. Poaching and habitat destruction and Institute, IUCN and the Indonesian Description and details of conservation degradation are among the major Ministry of Forestry. The action plans actions suggested as a result of the threats to these species, which have are the first for species in central

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Indonesia and will play an important Further discussions were held on future of the species in the wild in its role in conserving Indonesia’s highly poaching and invasive species and range countries. It was also recognized diverse and threatened biodiversity. emphasized the need for in-depth that where populations are seen to be studies on ways and means to eradicate declining, or there is an absence of James Burton weeds from rhino habitats. breeding, a number of options need to Chair, Asian Wild Cattle Specialist Group Recommendations were made to rhino- be considered, e.g. breeding between bearing PA managers in India and Nepal range country populations and to have rhino census at an interval of exchange programmes. AsRSG openly Asian Rhino SG 3–5 years. For small populations of invites the international community to rhinos, it was proposed that intense ID- provide effective and united support, Bringing parties together for rhino based monitoring should be including funding, to assist these conservation implemented to monitor all individuals. efforts, whilst the participants of the The AsRSG (South Asia) will prepare a meeting pledged to ensure the long- A meeting of AsRSG members based in training module on greater one-horned term viability of the Sumatran and Javan South Asia, and managers of protected rhino monitoring within one year. rhino. areas holding greater one-horned rhino A one-day workshop on Rhino The much awaited Guidelines for in India and Nepal, was held in Nepal Translocation Protocol was held at the the in situ Re-introduction and from 15–17 September 2008. The College of Veterinary Science, Translocation of African and Asian meeting’s objectives were to encourage Khanapara, Guwahati on 12 December Rhinoceros is now available from the networking, particularly amongst those 2008. The workshop was organized AfRSG, the AsRSG, and the Wildlife working in rhino-bearing protected jointly by the IUCN/SSC, Asian Rhino Health Specialist Group. areas (PA) in South Asia; to share Specialist Group, Wildlife Health experiences of the problems faced by Specialist Group and the College of Bibhab Kumar Talukdar small rhino populations (inbreeding Veterinary Science of Assam Chair, Asian Rhino Specialist Group depression and scarcity of habitat); to Agricultural University. The purpose of assess current threats and challenges the workshop was to further in rhino conservation; to explore professionalize the approach to Bat SG inter-state and trans-country translocation of rhinos under the Indian cooperation on information sharing on Rhino Vision 2020. Proposed cull of Pteropus niger rhino poaching as part of crisis Due to continued challenges in in Mauritius management; and identification of procuring the tranquillizing drugs for key resource persons in the field of use in rhino translocation from A week-long workshop was held in rhino research and conservation in Pabitora Wildlife Sanctuary and Mauritius in November 2008, to share South Asia. Kaziranga National Park to Manas experiences of conserving endemic fruit It was agreed that a working group National Park in Assam, the second bats of the genus Pteropus on Western would be convened, with experts on phase of the rhino translocation was not Indian Ocean islands. It also aimed to habitat, population, trade investigation, possible during the winter months of establish a regional group to continue veterinary and conflict mitigation issues. 2008 and early 2009. Now the next exchange of information as well as The AsRSG (South Asia) will also phase of rhino translocation is being providing an opportunity to explore the institute an award in memory of planned in November 2009 when about problems faced by lychee farmers on Dr Tirtha Man Maskey. This award will 18 rhinos will be translocated into Mauritius (who complain of losing fruit be effective from 2009 and will Manas National Park. to P. niger). recognize meritorious service extended A meeting of AsRSG members in Some years ago, the government of by frontline staff working in rhino areas Southeast Asia, along with the Mauritius proposed to cull P. niger of India and Nepal. managers of Sumatran and Javan despite it being a protected species. rhino-bearing areas of Indonesia, The scientific community, headed by Malaysia and Vietnam, was held at the Mauritian Wildlife Foundation, Bogor, Indonesia on 2–3 March 2009. protested that the proposal was The meeting emphasized the need to premature in advance of any study of take urgent measures to prevent the the feeding ecology of the bats to continued fragmentation and eventual determine the extent to which the bats extinction of Sumatran and Javan rhino, were culpable of taking lychee fruits, in and urged range country government comparison with other fruit predators and non-governmental agencies and such as Indian Ring-necked Parakeets, international donors to implement the Red-whiskered Bulbuls, Indian Mynahs Sabah, Indonesia and Vietnam rhino and Black Rats. action plans. A recently completed census It was noted that in situ estimated that there were 21,000 conservation and protection of P. niger on Mauritius. This is not an

Indian Rhino (Rhinoceros unicornis). Sumatran and Javan Rhino, along with excessive number considering that a © Dr Bibhab Kumar Talukdar key habitats, is essential to ensure the closely related species Pteropus

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Foundation believe that any culling in The South American Camelid advance of a study showing which Specialist Group (GECS) organized an animal species are responsible for fruit Alliance workshop at the 2008 IUCN loss is premature. Mauritius was the World Conservation Congress, in order first country to sign and ratify the to investigate the links between vicuña Convention on Biological Diversity and and guanaco management and poverty has saved a host of endemic species alleviation, and to better understand the from extinction. It now proposes a cull factors that limit a more equitable of one of its endemic species red-listed distribution of benefits among as endangered. stakeholders. Case studies about vicuña management in Bolivia and Paul A. Racey guanaco management in Argentina Co-Chair, Bat Specialist Group were presented, as well as a regional overview of the fibre market. Policy recommendations suggested Camelids conditions under which camelid Mauritius Fruit Bats (Pteropus niger). management could improve rural © Vikash Tatayah, Mauritian Wildlife Foundation Use of Vicuñas and Guanacos in livelihoods, while contributing to Andean countries: Towards a species conservation. A very subniger has already been driven to paradigm of equality, partnership constructive dialogue took place extinction on the island by habitat loss and participation between members of the audience that and overhunting. Pteropus rodricensis included staff from IUCN, Wildlife was also present on Mauritius but Vicuñas (Vicugna vicugna) and Conservation Society (WCS), TRAFFIC, became extinct there and is now found Guanacos (Lama guanicoe) provide an CITES and chairs from several only on Rodrigues in the Mascarene excellent model for a non-consumptive Specialist Groups. archipelago. Here numbers declined to sustainable use of wildlife. These South The outputs from the workshop approximately 30 individuals as a result American wild camelids are unique for were presented at the Technical of cyclones and habitat loss, until a the high price of their fibre in international Meeting of the Vicuña Convention. The conservation programme initiated by markets, and for the possibility to obtain aim was to bring the issue of fair trade, Gerald Durrell and continued by the fibre through live-capture and release. and the need to improve the flow of Mauritian Wildlife Foundation, the Given that they often co-exist with economic benefits to local Andean Durrell Wildlife Conservation Trust, and indigenous Andean or rural communities, to the attention of the government of Mauritius brought communities, many conservation decision-makers. A collaborative the numbers up to 5,000. strategies include a community research project between the GECS, Although lychees are an important management component. However, WCS and the Berkeley HAAS School of cash crop in Mauritius, investment in although many of these conservation Business was also established. Further frames to support nets (to protect efforts can be considered extremely impacts included building a relationship against fruit loss to bats, rats and birds) successful, the benefits for local between Payun Matru Cooperative and lacks incentives. A grower sells fruit by communities have largely proved elusive. SCI, with the goal of diversifying the the tree to a middle man who agrees a price. The latter may throw a few nets over a few trees, but these are largely ineffective. The ripe lychees may then be marketed directly in Mauritius or sold to an exporter. Only 40% of lychee production comes from commercial growers, the majority is from back-yard growers with privately owned trees. Often these are not low-pruned so the effective erection of nets would be impossible. At the workshop, Paul Racey, Co- Chair of the Bat Specialist Group, the chairman and senior staff of the Mauritian Wildlife Foundation visited the new Minister of Agriculture to present the arguments against culling fruit bats. Despite this, there is still a fear that the government will appease fruit growers by sanctioning a cull. The Bat Specialist Baby Viçuna (Vicugna vicugna). © Phil Whitehouse Group and the Mauritian Wildlife

18 • species 50 specialist group exchange options for fibre commercialization and and range in recent decades. As increasing added value at the local level. human populations encroach on Vicuña and guanaco management Africa’s last wild areas, large carnivores projects are about the conservation of – being wide-ranging and particularly two of the few large herbivores that susceptible to habitat destruction and inhabit South America, and their fragile fragmentation – are often the first environment. They are also about species to disappear. strengthening local communities, Recognizing these concerns, in revitalizing old traditions, recuperating 2006 the Cat and Canid Specialist local knowledge, developing a Groups of the IUCN/SSC, in Clouded Leopard (Neofelis nebulosa). © A. Silwa framework for local participation, partnership with WCS and the solidifying land claims, providing Zoological Society of London (ZSL), incentives to local people to avoid initiated a Rangewide Conservation migration to cities, and (in many cases) Planning process for cheetahs and wild Conservation Breeding providing alternative sources of income dogs. A key component of this process and Cats to marginalized communities that are is a series of workshops, bringing largely forgotten by nation states. together specialists on the species’ Hopefully, all of this added value will biology with conservation managers CBSG and Cat SG facilitate eventually be acknowledged by the from governmental and non- Clouded Leopard and Small multiple actors involved in the governmental organizations. For lions, Felid Summit commodity chain. This should result in the IUCN/SSC Cat Specialist Group a fairer and more equitable distribution partnered with a parallel initiative of The Clouded Leopard and Small Felid of profits and more efforts geared WCS to organize a Rangewide Priority Conservation Summit was held January towards the conservation of these Setting (RWPS) exercise for lions. 28–30 at Kasetsart University in emblematic species of South America. Since wildlife conservation policy is Bangkok, Thailand. Kasetsart formulated, authorized and enforced at University’s Faculty of Forestry invited Dr Gabriela Lichtenstein the national level, it is critical that IUCN’s Conservation Breeding Chair, South American Camelid conservation planning reflects this. The Specialist Group (CBSG) and IUCN’s Specialist Group development of national plans, through Cat Specialist Group to facilitate this national workshops, following regional workshop. Using CBSG tools and strategies, is a vital component of the processes designed specifically for this Cats and Canid Rangewide Conservation Planning type of conservation issue, the process. The Ministry of Wildlife workshop brought together a diverse National conservation action Conservation and Tourism of the group of 65 participants from 13 planning workshop for cheetah, wild Government of Southern Sudan asked countries including field ecologists, dogs and lions in Southern Sudan for support to conduct a national population biologists, naturalists, workshop to develop action plans for conservation education teachers and A national conservation action planning cheetahs, wild dogs and lions. Sarah zoo professionals. workshop for cheetah, wild dogs and Durant – ZSL/WCS, Amy Dickman – Southeast Asia has tremendous lions was held 30 March–3 April 2009 Ruaha Carnivore Project and WildCRU, diversity in wildlife and is particularly rich in Juba, Southern and Christine Breitenmoser – IUCN/ in felid species, including nine species Sudan. SSC Cat Specialist Group, supported of small or medium size wild cats: African wild this workshop as facilitators. The clouded leopard (mainland SE Asia), dogs, cheetah workshop was officially opened by Sundaland Clouded Leopard (Borneo and lions present Minister Agnes Poni Lukudu and and Sumatra), Marbled Cat, Jungle Cat, major challenges attended by 34 participants, all of Golden Cat, Flat-headed Cat, Fishing for conservationists whom worked very enthusiastically and Cat, Bornean Bay Cat and Leopard Cat. today. All three successfully to produce national action Recent findings from field surveys and species were formerly plans for the three species during the wildlife trade monitoring indicate that widely distributed in four-day workshop. many of these felids may be facing Africa, but have The workshop was generously significant population declines, due to experienced dramatic supported by WCS, ZSL, Panthera, the impacts of habitat destruction and reductions in numbers Saint Louis Zoo’s WildCare Foundation fragmentation, declining prey base, and and the Howard G. Buffet Foundation. targeted hunting. The WCS Southern Sudan office Accurate assessment of the provided important logistical support conservation status of these species is during the workshop. difficult as little is actually known/ reported about their natural history, Christine Breitenmoser relatively few field surveys have been Co-Chair, Cat Specialist Group undertaken, and many of these species Cheetah (Acinonyx jubatus). © Christine Breitenmoser have large historic geographic ranges.

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Due to the wide complement of habitat the situation in the various SE Asian Categories and Criteria and the Species types utilized by many of these species, range countries, to accomplish the Information Service (SIS) software. This the variation in the quality of remaining goals, taking into account the scientific workshop was a special occasion habitat, and the relatively low natural information on the species, their because IUCN had never previously abundance of these species, it is habitats, and the threats identified. brought together multiple plant problematic to generalize survey The workshop report can be specialist groups for such training. It findings for areas outside study sites. In downloaded from the following was also the first time that IUCN’s addition, much of the recent data on the websites: www.cbsg.org, www.catsg. training curriculum had fully integrated distribution of these felids have been org and www.cloudedleopard.org. Red List and SIS components. acquired in the course of research on Of 45,000 records on the IUCN Red large felids (especially tigers) or non-felid Christine Breitenmoser List only 12,000 are for plants, but species and is not always disseminated Co-Chair, Cat Specialist Group progress is being made: a national Red to parties addressing small felid Onnie Byers List for China could add 16,000 plants conservation and research issues. As a Conservation Breeding Specialist Group to the list, and in the near future 12,000 result, there is a lack of data on the South African plant assessments will be distribution, status, and ecology of small published. felids to inform conservation planning for Chinese Plants The Species Programme staff will these species. be helping the CPSG with their critical The Clouded Leopard and Small A national Red List for 34,000 species assessment of the flora of one of the Felid Conservation Summit was world’s most bio-diverse countries. conceived to address this issue as well The China Plants Specialist Group as to facilitate information exchange, (CPSG), in collaboration with the Dr Qin Hain-ing communication, and collaboration Institute of Botany at the Chinese Chair, China Plants Specialist Group among the many independent parties Academy of Sciences, has been working in small felid conservation. requested to compile a national Red Participants summarized all available List for the flora of China by the end of Crop Wild Relatives SG information and produced population 2010 in order to deliver a major dataset and habitat tables and distribution maps for 2010, the International Year of An update of major activities detailing the location, distribution, and Biodiversity. With over 34,000 plant abundance of clouded leopards and species found in China – of which The wild plants closely related to crops other small felids in their region. Next, 16,000 are endemic – this may be the and their progenitors hold the key to the major issues related to clouded world’s largest national Red List sustaining tomorrow’s food production leopard and small felid conservation endeavor to date. and ensuring food security. Their were identified and prioritized. Based on To help the CPSG start this project, conservation and use is increasingly a these results, participants further in June 2009 Julie Griffin and Jim Ragle critical priority and has received much defined the issues and developed goals from the Species Programme trained attention as evidenced by a number of to achieve the desired change in the the China Plant Specialist Group, as well national, regional and international conditions identified in the issue as some members of the Korean Plant initiatives. The Crop Wild Relative statements. Finally, each group Specialist Group and the Japanese Specialist Group (CWRSG) members developed specific actions, relevant to Plant Red List Authority, on the Red List have been active on many fronts during the past quadrennium through many projects funded by UNEP/GEF, EU and FAO to better understand the status of crop wild relatives globally, and carrying out red-listing activities of selected CWR species. The group has recently published the 7th issue of its newsletter Crop Wild Relative. There is a special feature on the potential for Triticum boeoticum as a gene donor for salt tolerance in wheat in Armenia; a regional report from Asia and the Pacific as the centre of diversity and domestication of a range of important food crops; and articles on national CWR projects to illustrate how many national agencies and NGOs are now bringing CWR to the forefront of their conservation action plans. A UNEP/GEF-funded project on In Triuncialis meghri. © Andreas Malikyan, Armenian Agrarian University Situ Conservation of Crop Wild

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Relatives through Enhanced Information Management and Field Application, with five participating countries (Armenia, Bolivia, Madagascar, Sri Lanka and Uzbekistan), has assessed the conservation status of priority CWR. In Armenia, the conservation status of nine wild relatives of wheat species was determined using the IUCN Red List Categories and Criteria. The study has shown a dramatic decline in the genetic diversity of wild wheat species in Armenia as a result of adverse human impacts such as agricultural expansion, uncontrolled grazing, road development and urbanization. In Bolivia the project led to the publication of a Red Data book on CWR which covers 152 species. The book highlights the Eld’s Deer (Rucervus eldii). © Lisa Ware Gilded Presba (Syncordulia legator). © Michael Samways number of threatened species which require urgent conservation attention. A major initiative just started Genetic Resources (ECPGR) In Situ management need arises. The group is involves the red-listing of 500–600 and On-Farm Conservation Network. organizing a symposium for the European CWR species – a project For more information visit International Mammal Congress in funded by the EU. Red-listing is a key http://www.cwrsg.org/Publications/ Argentina (2009), which will focus on role of the Specialist Groups and this Newsletters/index.asp the sustainable management and project provides an important boost to ecology of neotropical deer species. In raise the profile of CWR, both within Ehsan Dulloo and Nigel Maxted 2010 the 7th International Deer Biology and outside of Europe. Co-Chairs, Crop Wild Relatives Congress will be hosted for the first Several members of the CWRSG Specialist Group time in South America in Pucón, have also contributed to the preparation Southern Chile. The congress is being of the second FAO State of the World organized by DSG members Paulo Report on Plant Genetic Resources for Deer Corti and Werner Fleuck. Food and Agriculture, providing a For more details visit: http://www. review of the progress made on the in An expanded network and deerlab.org/7th_international_deer_ situ conservation of crop wild relatives proposed regional Task Forces to biology congress/index.html). within and outside protected areas. As meet conservation needs Inquiries about symposia or activities part of this process, FAO can be directed to the Specialist commissioned a study on The Deer Specialist Group has Group: [email protected] Establishment of a global network for expanded its network and membership the in situ conservation of crop wild by creating two departments, each Bill McShea and Susana González relatives: status and needs. The study focused on a region – old and new Co-Chairs, Deer Specialist Group report proposes conservation priorities world. Susana González (IIBCE- and specific locations in which to Facultad de Ciencias) will focus on new conserve the most important wild world species and Bill McShea Dragonflies relatives of 14 of the world’s major food (Smithsonian Institution) will focus on crops. The report pointed out that old world species. Each department will First global assessments of about 9% of the CWR of the 14 crops have a Red List Authority: Patricia dragonflies published requires urgent conservation attention. Black-Decima (Facultad de Ciencias It also highlights that globally there are Naturales e Instituto Miguel Lillo) to In June 2009, the results of the first about 700 highest priority species most work with Susana González; Will global assessments of dragonflies were closely related to the major and minor Duckworth (Wildlife Conservation published by the Dragonfly Specialist crops and the majority of these have yet Society) to work with Bill McShea. Group in Biological Conservation to be conserved in a systematic manner. Presently, there are two Task Forces (Clausnitzer et al. 2009). Based on Various CWR activities, such as the focused on specific species: Huemul assessments of 1,500 of the 5,680 production of national CWR inventories, (Patricia Black-Decima, chairperson) extant dragonfly species, 10% of the systematic gap analysis and the and Eld’s Deer (Budhan Pukazhenthi, worlds’ species was found to be establishment of in situ genetic reserves chairperson); these groups will be Threatened while another 4% is Near to protect hotspot diversity, are also continued. We hope to establish Threatened. Dragonflies are freshwater ongoing under the European additional Task Forces focused on dependent and were therefore Cooperative Programme for Plant regions as the conservation and expected to be strongly threatened.

species 50 • 21 specialist group exchange

That this outcome is more positive appears that climate change is Specialist Group to pool resources and than initially preconceived, is probably accelerating as the main threat. An atlas gather together experience and because dragonflies have relatively wide for the whole of Europe is in preparation expertise. ranges, and populations can be viable by the European Invertebrate Survey This new Galliformes SG (GSG) is in smaller areas. Many threatened and is scheduled for 2011. responsible for a total of 288 species, species are found in the Indo-Malayan 73 (25%) of which are threatened. region, where many species with small African Freshwater Assessment Although taxonomically unrelated, a ranges are impacted by large-scale A final workshop for the African further 47 Tinamou species (including logging. Australia also has a high Freshwater Assessment Project was five on the Red List) of South America percentage of threatened species due held in Cairo from 3–7 May 2009. The are to be covered on a caretaker basis, to the threat of climate change to Specialist Group was represented by as they share ranges, ecology and field freshwater habitats. seven experts from various regions. scientists with Galliformes species. An important outcome of the Red Prior to this workshop, assessments The GSG’s interim Co-Chairs’ List Species Index is that 35% of the were undertaken on regional level for Advisory Board represents the previous species are Data Deficient. Most of East, South, Central, West, North and SGs, important themes (e.g. Red List these occur in tropical forest and are North-east Africa. During the workshop, assessment, conservation breeding) more likely to be difficult to find (e.g. assessments of 703 known dragonfly and hitherto poorly-represented regions parts of Southern America and New species from mainland Africa (excluding (e.g. Africa, South America). The Board Guinea) than threatened. However, Madagascar) were validated and is expected to evolve and, in particular, areas with high number of Data distribution maps produced. The result provide for effective succession beyond Deficient species that are likely to be is a point-locality database for Africa 2012. There are 250 GSG members threatened are Madagascar, Indonesia which has over 70,000 entries for worldwide, of which more than 35% are and the Philippines. The Red List approximately 850 species covering experts in grouse ecology and Species Index for dragonflies is an Africa, Madagascar and the conservation biology. The merger will important step towards the Global Mascarenes. A workshop to deal with greatly improve access to this bank of Dragonfly Assessment – a combined any remaining problems in taxonomy knowledge to members working on our effort of IUCN, Conservation and georeferencing is scheduled for other threatened taxa. International, the National Museum of October 2009. Alongside SSC a second parent- Natural History, Naturalis (Leiden) and body, the World Pheasant Association the IUCN Dragonfly Specialist Group. Vincent Kalkman (WPA), is supporting the current re- Chair, Dragonfly Specialist Group launch and will be advocating action European and Mediterranean Viola Clausnitzer based on technical advice provided by dragonflies on the map Red List Focal Point, Dragonfly the GSG. BirdLife International (as the IUCN Mediterranean, IUCN Europe and Specialist Group RLA for birds) has worked with us on the European Invertebrate Survey have their Red List assessments for been working to produce Red Lists for Galliformes species since 1992. North Africa, the Mediterranean and Galliformes The GSG is identifying a few Europe. The former two are ready and candidates for SSC’s new process of will be published this year. A A new Galliformes SG – Strategic Planning for Species distributional atlas of the Mediterranean consolidating resources and Conservation. This will require and North Africa has already been expertise engagement with new partners to find published (Boudot et al. 2009) and an holistic but practical way forward for presents the distribution of all 179 In Al Ain, in February 2008, a meeting species most urgently requiring dragonflies known in over 30 countries. of the chairs and co-chairs of four SGs conservation action. Distribution records of many of the then representing different families Mediterranean countries have within the avian order Galliformes, Peter Garson and Ilse Storch traditionally been collected by proposed the formation of a single Co-Chairs, Galliformes Specialist Group volunteers from north-west Europe. However, in recent years dragonflies have become increasingly popular with volunteers in the Mediterranean, resulting in the establishment of several regional and national dragonfly societies. The work on the EU-funded European Red List will be finished later this year and will be published on the internet. One of the main outcomes is that in Central and North Europe the impacts of eutrophication appears to have become less of a problem. Sichuan Partridge (Arborophila rufipectus). Palawan Peacock-pheasant (Polyplectron However, in the Mediterranean it © James Eaton, Birdtour Asia napoleonis). © James Eaton, Birdtour Asia

22 • species 50 specialist group exchange

Hawaiian Plants reintroduction efforts from small Association of Zoos and Aquariums and founder numbers and what we can the Institute for Breeding Rare and Conserving rare Hawaiian plants learn from them; and, Endangered African Mammals. through the Plant Extinction • Determine a process to certify The meeting represented an Prevention Programme commercial nurseries to grow important turning point for Pygmy material for restoration to insure Hippos, since it was the first time The Hawaiian Plant Specialist Group’s proper genetic and sanitation scientists and conservationists have met (HPSG) mission is “to prevent the protocols. to discuss opportunities and goals for extinction of native Hawaiian plants and collaboration specific to this species. provide for their recovery through a Marie M. Bruegmann Exploring innovative approaches to cooperatively administered off-site plant Chair, Hawaiian Plant Specialist Group surveys (e.g. utilizing remotely-sensed conservation system in collaboration information, camera traps), with on-site management partners to standardization of field methods, genetic sample, propagate, and reintroduce rare Hippo research and telemetry were all plants, and to advance the preservation identified as important avenues for of native plants and their habitats Pygmy Hippo researchers discuss continued efforts. The group plans to through effective communication and conservation strategies and continue to work together to catalyze public education”. regional coordination regional approaches to pygmy hippo The Plant Extinction Prevention research and conservation. (PEP) programme initiated by HPSG Pygmy hippos were upgraded to continues to build momentum. The Endangered on the IUCN Red List in Dr Rebecca Lewison programme aims to manage wild 2004. Extant populations of Pygmy Chair, Hippo Specialist Group populations of extremely rare (less than Hippos are found only in four West 50 individuals in the wild) species in situ, African countries (Guinea, Sierra Leone, while also collecting propagules for Liberia, Côte d’Ivoire) and are believed Macaronesian Plants storage and reintroduction efforts into to number in the range of 3,000–6,000 protected habitat. The programme has individuals – although there has been no Building knowledge for improved expanded to coordinators on five of the confirmation of that estimate. In April conservation management Hawaiian Islands, covering a sixth from 2009, scientists representing research nearby, and has an archipelago-wide teams from all four countries gathered in Azores (Portugal) is the most northerly coordinator overseeing the programme. London to discuss the state of Pygmy Macaronesian archipelago, comprising To date, the programme has worked on Hippo populations, research and nine volcanic islands scattered over an 2 141 species: 111 species surveyed, of conservation efforts. Hosted by the area of approximately 1,000 km in the which 18 species were rediscovered or Zoological Society of London, the one- North Atlantic. The nine islands that new populations; 102 species placed day meeting described ongoing efforts compose the archipelago are rich in into genetic storage; threats managed in the Gola Forest Reserve, Sierra rare plant species and habitats. Human for wild populations of 28 species; and Leone, Sapo National Park, Liberia, Taï pressures on the fragile ecosystems of 17 species reintroduced. National Park, Côte d’Ivoire and the Azores Islands, particularly in the Other efforts are still ongoing: N’ Zérékoré Forestry Centre, Guinea. lower coastal areas, have been severe. 1. the development of a state-wide rare The meeting also involved key Above 500 m, almost all natural plant database to share the most representatives from captive facilities habitats are wetlands, including a up-to-date status and threats to and organizations, including the significant area of peatlands. These each rare plant population; and coordinator for the European peatlands represent a hydrologic 2. providing a mentoring programme resource from which the Azores Pygmy Hippo (Choeropsis liberiensis). populations are dependent. They are for private landowners interested in © Glenn Feldhake/Susan Stone rare plant management and also extremely important in plant reintroduction. biodiversity, with several rare protected species identified in the bog habitat or The HSPG met in April 2009 and in its limits. Of these, the most common discussed new issues to address, type is forested peatlands dominated including: by the endemic species, Juniperus • conduct meetings on each island brevifolia, which is classified as with plant experts to gather the Endangered on the IUCN Red List. latest species status information, Recognizing the importance of which may lead to Red List these peatland areas and the species assessments; that depend upon them, Geva (Applied • conduct a workshop on protocols Vegetation Ecology Group of Azores for handling rare plant collections University), has instigated several and data collection; studies focusing on distribution, • convene a forum on past ecology, flora and major threats identification. The objective of these

species 50 • 23 specialist group exchange

illegal wildlife trade in order to design economic deterrents to it. In June 2009 members of the IUCN Marine Turtle Specialist Group co- organized a workshop along with the Terengganu State Government, University Malaysia Terengganu, the Marine Research Foundation, Conservation International (Philippines) and the IUCN Marine Turtle Specialist Group. The purpose of the workshop was to document the apprehensions of foreign vessels and fishermen involved in the illegal direct capture; to present information on the declining trend of marine turtles in the region and the efforts undertaken to arrest the decline; Flores. © Cândida Mendes and to demonstrate that direct capture of adult and sub-adult marine turtles will studies is to provide data which will Marine Turtles rapidly cause a collapse of turtle enable more effective landscape populations in the Southeast Asian management for the region. Tracking illegal capture of Region. Geva is also working on a study of marine turtles Solutions to the direct capture of Azores’ natural vascular flora and will sea turtles were discussed, and there publish the Azorean Rare Species Atlas Critically Endangered marine turtles are plans to address the problem later in 2009. Included in this study is from Southeast Asia are being targeted through a partnership with Chinese the Azorina vidalii, which is a coastal by foreign vessels originating from authorities and scientists, analyzing species developing in several natural Hainan, China, and (to a lesser degree) market forces, raising awareness and secondary habitats. Recent data from Vietnam. These boats leave port amongst the fishery, training of customs confirmed the existence of Azorina in all with the express purpose of catching staff in turtle meat and parts Azorean islands. More than 40 natural marine turtles, a practice which is illegal identification, tracking consignments populations were studied, including 19 both in their home countries and in the through DNA evaluation, translation and new ones. Azorina is a monospecific waters of countries in which they fish. provision of conservation materials into genera of the Campanulaceae family. The last half decade has seen such a Mandarin, and continued dialogue and Major threats to these species noteworthy increase that there is a need information exchange sessions. populations are the presence of exotic to determine the severity of this plants such as the Carpobrotus edulis practice. How much poaching goes Nicolas J. Pilcher, Chan Eng Heng and the fact that most of these species unrecorded or undetected? How severe and Kevin Hiew populations are located in high human are the impacts to turtle populations? Marine Turtle Specialist Group pressure areas (beaches, roads, What drives this trade, and how can it construction sites, etc). be curtailed? The State of the World’s Sea Turtles Significant and urgent inroads need (SWOT) report is produced by the Eduardo Dias, Candida Mendes to be made into curbing this illegal trade Marine Turtle Specialist Group in Macaronesian Island Plants and further research is needed to fully partnership with Conservation Specialist Group understand the market forces at play in International and Duke University. The

Flatback Turtle (Natator depressus). © Carmen Pilcher Netted Hawksbill Turtles (Eretmochelys imbricata). © CI Philippines

24 • species 50 specialist group exchange fourth volume, released in 2009, features the first-ever map of global flatback turtle Natator depressus nesting data, genetic stocks, and in- water distribution. Other highlights include articles about why leatherback turtle populations vary globally, how retail sales help communities and sea turtles in Brazil, and how fishermen are aiding conservation efforts in Canada. The full report can be downloaded Si Star (Protoreaster lincki). © F.T. Short, at www.seaturtlestatus.org Dombeya mauritania. © Vincent Florens SeagrassNet/UNH

Roderic Mast and Nicolas J. Pilcher a 100 species of native or endemic who rely on healthy coastal marine Co-Chairs, Marine Turtle Specialist flowering plants so far recorded. These ecosystems for food and livelihoods. Group include some very rare species like the The IUCN Red List criteria are being Mascarenes endemic Dombeya applied to all seagrass species based populnea of which eight plants were on information from The World Atlas of Mauritian tree found, resulting in more than a doubling Seagrasses (Green and Short 2003) rediscovered of its known wild population for and three convened workshops of Mauritius. regional experts in Dominica, the The Dombeya mauritiana, an endemic Further field visits to the area have Philippines, and California. Using Mauritian tree previously thought to be failed to locate other D. mauritiana knowledge of seagrass distribution, extinct in the wild, was found by plants, but the search continues. None ecology, life history and threat Cláudia Baider and the chair of the of the seeds collected from the plant information, several species will be Mascarenes Plant Specialist Group, in and sown three months ago have designated in threatened categories the Black River Gorges National Park, germinated. (Vulnerable and Endangered), although Mauritius, in April 2009. The National Parks and the large proportion will be listed as The species was previously known Conservation Services are interested in Least Concern. The major threats to from a single 10 m tall plant discovered controlling invasive alien weeds in the seagrass have been identified as in 1976 in a dry native forest in the vicinity of the plant, and the reduced water quality, coastal Black River District. It was described by Mascarenes Plant SG is planning to development and habitat destruction Francis Friedmann in 1981 as a new raise funds to restore the habitat of the from practices such as aquaculture and Mauritius endemic. Despite further plant and try propagation and land reclamation. Seventy-two seagrass survey efforts in the area, no other plant augmentation in the wild. species were examined in a had been found. In a paper by Wyse- collaborative project of the IUCN Jackson et al. in 1989 it was reported Vincent Florens Species Programme (Global Marine that 89 cuttings were taken of the plant; Chair, Mascarenes Plant Specialist Group Species Assessment), Conservation all the cuttings failed. Further cuttings International and SeagrassNet, a global were taken and some were successful. seagrass monitoring programme. In 1994 the single wild plant was dead Seagrass Red List and it was declared Extinct in the wild. Authority Frederick Short The exact cause of ‘extinction’ of Chair, SSC Seagrass Red List Authority the species in the wild is not fully First-ever seagrass red-listing understood. It is reported that the plant nears completion got ‘sick’ and died despite attempted Sturgeon treatment. However, what is known is Seagrasses are important marine plants that the ‘sickness’ appeared after the that live submerged in the coastal Regional Training Workshop on huge number of cuttings were taken in oceans worldwide. They provide habitat Sturgeon Hatchery Practices 1989. The cause of decline (at the level for fish and shellfish and are food for and Management of the whole species) appears to be a sea turtles, dugongs, manatee and combination of habitat destruction, with some birds and fish. Seagrasses filter The major part of Caspian Sea 95% of the natural habitats of Mauritius coastal waters, interacting in the tropics sturgeon stocks is essentially based on transformed into agriculture or urban with mangroves and coral reefs and in artificial breeding and the release of areas, and the impacts of invasive alien temperate zones with salt marshes and sturgeon fingerlings. These activities are species. oyster reefs. As the coastal regions of carried out to support recovery of The site where the species has the world experience ever-increasing sturgeon stocks in the Caspian Sea. In been relocated is highly invaded with stress from human populations and order to support and reinforce such alien plants, particularly the strawberry practices, there are many threats to activities, the FAO, in collaboration with guava Psidium cattleianum. The forest seagrass survival, and ultimately to UNDP/GEF, the World Bank and the habitat is however very rich, with about marine biodiversity and to the humans State Fishery Committee of

species 50 • 25 specialist group exchange

coefficients, and to identify each of the The team of editors of Tapir populations as the most effective Conservation has been working conservation strategies for sturgeons in tirelessly to improve our newsletter. We the Caspian Sea. have put together a new Editorial Board Draft conclusions with and developed new guidelines for recommendations were developed contributions. The Houston Zoo in the jointly by the participants. To improve United States continues to sponsor the the draft technical guidelines, FAO will printing and distribution of two issues conduct a side event with relevant per year. The newsletter is also made experts before the 6th International available online on the TSG website. Symposium on Sturgeon (ISS6). The TSG webmasters are currently re-designing and updating our entire Beluga Sturgeon (Huso huso). © International Sturgeon Research Institute, Iran Mohammad Pourkazemi website (www.tapirs.org). In a few Chair, Sturgeon Specialist Group weeks we will have an entirely new navigation format, new sections for the general public, and pages focusing on Kazakhstan, convened a regional Tapir Specialist Group field projects. The TSG Education and Training Workshop on Sturgeon (TSG) Marketing Committee is also working Hatchery Practices and Management on on building profiles for the TSG on 15–18 April 2009 in Atyrau, Kazakhstan. Progress with National Action Plans several vehicles of social media and Representatives of the Caspian and improvements to networking such as Facebook, Flickr Littoral States (excluding Turkmenistan) communications with a revamped and YouTube, among others. each presented a national report. The newsletter and updated website Our Virtual Library continues to workshop provided an arena to grow. We currently have 550 exchange views and experiences, to The Tapir Specialist Group Country bibliographical references available build capacity on hatchery measures to Coordinators are making considerable online in PDF format for all TSG improve restocking efficiency, to progress on the development of members. The references include introduce technical guidelines on National Action Plans for Tapir scientific papers, BS, MSc and PhD modern hatchery management and Conservation in several range countries dissertations, magazine articles, etc. practices, and to increase awareness in South and Central America, as well Our members have been helping us and build capacity on financing hatchery as Southeast Asia. Our Ecuadorian keep our library as up to date as operations, on the cost effectiveness Regional Action Planning Committee possible. and on ownership models. has just held an action planning We have recently established a At a time when hatcheries are workshop in May to finalize their Steering Committee for the TSG, which facing a severe decline in spawners, National Action Plan for Ecuador. is formed by a group of 14 members focus was given to the significance of Argentina is taking the final steps on the representing several different adopting genetic principles in artificial development of their National Plan. professional backgrounds, institutional breeding programmes. Emphasis was Guatemala, French Guiana and affiliations, and range countries. The also placed on conducting joint Indonesia are planning for a series of current structure of the TSG, which research to determine fishery return activities related to tapir action planning. includes a variety of committees, taskforces and working groups, works very efficiently and in a very integrated way. However, the group felt the need to have a Steering Committee dedicated to discussing the group’s major issues and, most importantly, helping us implement our Strategic Plans and Action Plans.

Patrícia Medici Chair, Tapir Specialist Group

Lowland Tapir (Tapirus terrestris). © Carlos André Zucco

26 • species 50 SSC Sub-Committee Update

SSC Invertebrate as soil formation and Conservation pollination. Sub-Committee The ICSC is divided into two areas: the Terrestrial and Freshwater Invertebrate Red Conserving the List Authority (TIRLA) and the multitude Marine Invertebrate Red List Authority (MIRLA). There are An estimated 99% of all currently three Specialist organisms are invertebrate Groups (SG’s) working with species. The threats facing the TIRLA: the Freshwater these small animals very Crab and Crayfish SG, the The Intermediate Decticine (Platycleis intermedia), which has undergone much mirror those facing Dragonfly SG, and the severe decline in southern France. With landscape fragmentation, other terrestrial and marine Mollusc SG. Working with it comes into close acoustic contact with P. affinis, whose stronger song modifes that of P. intermedia. © Michael Samways organisms. Among insects, it the MIRLA is the Coral SG, has been estimated that a which links equally with the quarter may go extinct over Marine Conservation Sub- the next few decades. With Committee. All these SGs The ICSC sees red- assessments. These these challenges, it has been have been involved in large- listing as an important step assessments show how essential that there be a scale assessments, as well both for invertebrate invertebrates can help solve unified body that represents as red-listing. conservation and overall major conservation and all these animals at the Red-listing of crayfish, biodiversity conservation. community issues such as species level, which is the freshwater crabs, dragonflies, The reason for this is that water resource quality. objective for the Invertebrate molluscs and corals is firstly, the ICSC is global, The ICSC is thriving and Conservation Sub- channeled through the SGs. and has a role to play in welcomes any interest from Committee (ICSC). In the case of other uniting species-level conservationists, particularly The two main goals of the invertebrates, this is under conservation efforts. if they are a taxonomic ICSC are red-listing and undertaken by TIRLA or Secondly, red-listing also specialist and can act as a mainstreaming invertebrates MIRLA. Assessments are has an equalization role, with new Focal Point. into overall biodiversity received, either by appointed a worm and a wasp being conservation. The ICSC scientific specialists, Focal equivalent to a woodpecker Professor Michael recognizes that invertebrate Points (FPs), or by individuals or a whale. Thirdly, red- Samways conservation is closely in the wider community, and listing is an important input Chair, Invertebrate associated with conservation then reviewed by TIRLA or into conservation planning, Conservation of ecosystem services, such MIRLA. as shown by the freshwater Sub-Committee

species 50 • 27 Steering Committee Update

On 3 June 2009, Simon Stuart (as the newly elected Commission Chair) welcomed the Species Survival Commission (SSC) Steering Committee members to the first meeting of the 2009–2012 IUCN Quadrennium. The governance structure of the SSC must be re-constituted every four years, as per the IUCN Statutes, and the new membership of the Steering Committee had been approved by the IUCN Council at its meeting in

February. The list of SSC Steering Committee 2009. © Russ Mittermeier Steering Committee members is provided at the . © end of this article, and Gland, Switzerland, and was (internally and externally), the example, climate change includes new members, as attended by the great programmes requiring input, and extreme habitat well as a number of majority of the Steering and the mandates to be disappearance. It was members continuing from Committee members. implemented. proposed that a dedicated the previous quadrennium. Besides enabling the An important theme full-time coordinator should The IUCN Council also members to meet one running through the meeting be allocated to lead the SSC appointed a new Deputy another and integrate as a was bringing the focus of work on this issue. Chair of the SSC, Dr Jon Committee, the meeting had conservation back to the In line with the SSC’s Paul Rodríguez from a packed agenda with many species level. It was strongly mandate to convene and Venezuela. Jon Paul has issues to discuss, proposals felt that conservation was lead the process for the had a long history of to be considered, and moving heavily in the development of criteria for involvement in the SSC, decisions to be made. direction of ecosystem Key Biodiversity Areas and was previously Chair of As a newly appointed services, but that species (KBAs), it was proposed that the National Red List member of staff to the SSC, were being deliberately the SSC, in collaboration Working Group. what first struck me (besides excluded in many fora. with the World Commission The SSC Steering the sea of acronyms!) was However, it was recognized on Protected Areas (WCPA), Committee is responsible for the diversity of subjects that the public still relate to should focus on identifying overseeing the covered in the span of a species, which should be the critical sites where implementation of the SSC’s three-day meeting: Sub- exploited for promoting the concentrations of threatened mandate as approved by the Committees, Specialist work of the SSC and raising species live. To proceed IUCN World Conservation Groups, species, protected its profile. forward, it was suggested Congress. The purpose of areas, Red Lists, and of Other items of that the aim should be to each meeting is to bring course the major challenges prominence included align current approaches for together all members of the currently faced by global revision of the IUCN Policy identifying sites of global Steering Committee, to assist conservation. And this list is Statement on the biodiversity conservation and advise the Chair in merely a small sample Translocation of Living significance under a single, formulating policy and setting representing the complexity Organisms and Re- unified set of criteria. both strategic and of the SSC’s role. And introduction Guidelines. It Proposals were made on operational directions to complex, not only in terms of was agreed that these how the SSC and WCPA achieve the goals of the SSC. the range of issues it tackles, documents need to be would work together, with The meeting was held at but also operationally with updated to reflect the the establishment of a formal the IUCN headquarters in the relationships it deals with modern realities of, for joint Task Force.

28 • species 50 ssc sub-committee update

The species-related a series of flagship species; discussions. It was noted covered and many decisions Resolutions and ensuring that IUCN position that there has been a had been reached. There Recommendations from the papers clearly reflect pronounced shift away from was also an overall feeling of IUCN World Conservation biodiversity concerns, references to diversity, in enthusiasm and support for Congress in Barcelona, including the SSC and favour of ecosystem the future direction of the were presented with a view Species Programme on the services, in these SSC and its operations. The to establishing a IUCN delegation in discussions, and often action points from this coordinated plan on how, Copenhagen (UNFCCC- references to species have meeting are to be and to whom, they should CoP15); and developing been omitted altogether. A addressed in preparation for be communicated. It was climate change guidelines breakout group worked on the next meeting (27–29 noted that the IUCN Council for the Red List. the conceptual basis for January in Venezuela). has prioritized seven An overview of the SSC’s input into the For those wanting more resolutions, three of which severe conservation forthcoming meetings detail, the minutes of the are species-related (Climate situation facing large animals relating to the post-2010 June 2009 meeting can be Change Guidelines for the in Asia was presented by Target. It was also agreed found on http://www.iucn. Red List; Stopping the Simon Stuart. The high that a roadmap of events org/about/work/ Amphibian Crisis; and the profile species are well leading up to the CBD CoP programmes/species/ proposed World Species known conservation would be circulated, and about_ssc/ Congress). The Steering problems (tiger and Asian that the SSC will seek to governance/#Minutes Committee agreed on elephant), but almost all influence IUCN’s policy on prioritizing five of the groups of large animals are the post-2010 Target to remaining resolutions, in seriously affected, such as ensure that the focus on List of Steering addition to the three listed turtles, deer, wild cattle, species is maintained. Committee Members above, and progress reports pigs, primates, cetaceans, At the IUCN Congress in Simon Stuart will be provided at each cats, large freshwater fishes, Barcelona, an Jon Paul Rodríguez future Steering Committee etc. In facing this challenge, announcement was made Luigi Boitani meeting. The five prioritized a number of decisions were on the formation of a Topiltzin Contreras by the Steering Committee made by the Steering threatened species fund, MacBeath are: Biodiversity Data and Committee. It was agreed built around a Save Our John Donaldson Information; Conserving that a new task force would Species Campaign (SOS). Brahim Haddane Global Plant Diversity; be formed and that key The Global Environment Hans de Iongh Guidelines Regarding people (from NGOs active Facility and World Bank have Robert Lacy Research and Scientific on the ground) need to be each committed US$5 Frédéric Launay Collecting of Threatened brought into the initiative. million to this initiative, and Danna Leaman Species; Quantitative The relevant Specialist additional contributions are Patricia Medici Thresholds for Categories Group Chairs/Co-Chairs being sought from private Russell Mittermeier and Criteria of Threatened and other experts would be corporations that have Anders Rhodin Ecosystems; and Cross- involved together with key species as their logos. A Yvonne Sadovy Commission Collaboration government people. The breakout group discussed Michael Samways on Sustainable Use of IUCN Asian Regional Office three areas in detail: the Stella Simiyu Biological Resources. would also be approached targets of the initiative, the Xie Yan There are a number of for its engagement. A grant niche, and how it major challenges that the coordinator needs to be should be monitored. One of Institutional observers world’s species are facing; brought in to get the Task the main areas of focus was Alison Stattersfield of notable significance are Force going and to move the provision of an Amanda Nickson the issues of climate change things forward. emergency fund (qualifying Jon Hutton and the crisis facing Asian As the Convention on what would be termed as an John Robinson large animals. The SSC is Biological Diversity’s 2010 emergency), and what kind Jonathan Baillie already working actively on Biodiversity Target rapidly of indicators could be used climate change, but it was approaches, discussions are for monitoring the success IUCN Secretariat felt that a more strategic already well advanced on of the project. It was agreed Jane Smart approach was necessary what target or targets might that a further report would Jean-Christophe Vié with clarification of the replace it post-2010. As this be provided at the next SSC’s niche and priorities. will have a very significant Steering Committee The Steering Committee impact on the SSC’s work meeting. agreed on a number of over the coming decade or All members were in proposals reached by a more, it was considered agreement that the meeting separate break-out group. important to determine the had been extremely Amongst these priorities position of the IUCN (and constructive and successful were: a proposal to focus on the SSC) in relation to these – much ground had been

species 50 • 29 Species Programme Update

Biodiversity Assessment Unit

Mammals The first-ever comprehensive assessment of the world’s mammals was launched at the World Conservation Congress in Barcelona in October 2008. Since then, key activities have included individual assessment updates and the organization of a symposium on the future of the world’s mammals for the International Mammalogical Congress in Argentina in August 2009. Jan Schipper is serving as guest editor on a special issue of Small Carnivore Conservation to be launched at this meeting. Finally, we have been working to ensure a smooth and successful transition of the mammal data to the University of Rome.

Marine A number of important marine species groups, such as mangroves and seagrasses, have been completed and will appear on the IUCN Red List later in 2009. Three workshops Mangroves. © Nick Leonard took place in the first half of 2009 on sea snakes, Indo-Pacific wrasses and Indo-Pacific blennies. A collaboration has been Micronesia. Proposals have also been developed for the established with the Coral Triangle Initiative (CTI), running a Caribbean and Australia. thematic workshop on threatened species in Bali in June 2009. A second grant was received from USAID for species Reptiles assessments of marine fish in the CTI. The results of multi- The assessment of the world’s reptiles has been steadily taxa analyses for the Eastern Tropical Pacific and continuing through 2009, with the analysis of data collected Mediterranean region are also in preparation. from workshops for the species in Europe, Turkey, the Caucasus region and Iran. This information has contributed Freshwater to the publication of the European Red List of Reptiles. The BAU submitted successful proposals to the Critical Species assessments carried out in collaboration with Ecosystem Partnership Fund for freshwater assessment work Conservation International for the 167 endemic snakes and in the Indo-Burma and Western Ghats Biodiversity Hotspots, lizards of the Philippines have been finalized. Reptile and provided advice to IUCN Oceania for a proposal on assessment work is continuing in southern Africa, assessments, including freshwater fishes, in Polynesia/ Madagascar, South Asia, New Caledonia and the Pacific.

Amphibians Efforts have concentrated on updating and maintaining the amphibian dataset. The European Red List of Amphibians was launched in May 2009 and the Amphibian Red List Authority is in the process of being implemented. The BAU also provided support to the first Amphibian Conservation Mini-Summit in August 2009.

Climate Change

Assessing Species Vulnerability to Climate Change This project is entering its final stages and climate change vulnerability assessments for global birds, amphibians, corals and South African Proteaceae will be made available Red-eyed Tree Frog (Litoria chloris). © Teejaybee in 2010. Plans for the project’s second phase include

30 • species 50 species programme update developing results into user-friendly conservation tools and assessing further species groups.

Human Utilized Species in Africa’s Albertine Rift The MacArthur Foundation has agreed to fund a joint IUCN Species Programme-TRAFFIC project to assess the climate change vulnerability of Albertine Rift species that are important for human use and livelihoods. This exciting two- year project will pilot a new approach to climate change adaptation planning.

SSC Specialist Group climate change survey An online survey was set up to determine Specialist Groups’ perceptions of climate change impacts, current and planned Icebergs. © Jade Berman climate change related activities, and to assess how best IUCN can help groups to deal with climate change. A summary report highlighting groups’ responses has been circulated and is available on request ([email protected]). interest from the media. So far this year the Species Programme and the SSC have published and promoted 11 Preparing for Copenhagen publications and there are more to follow in the last few Representatives from the SSC and Species Programme form months of 2009. part of IUCN’s delegation participating in the United Nations A new structure is being developed for the Species website Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) and it is hoped that this will be live before the end of the year. conference in Copenhagen in December. IUCN continues to The new structure includes a much larger section on “our highlight the importance of species and biodiversity both in work” which will enable us to profile all of the species groups on which we work, offering a better platform of information to motivating for sufficiently stringent and timely CO2 emission reductions, as well as in helping the world to adapt to an our readers, and enabling stronger links to the Specialist altered climate. SSC members who are attending the Group work. Copenhagen meeting are asked to contact wendy.foden@ The response to the new IUCN Red List logo that was iucn.org. launched just before congress has been very positive. We have been working closely with WAZA and BIAZA to implement the logo and scale on zoo and aquarium signage. Communications Currently there are 15 zoos or aquariums that are in the process of adding the scale and logo to their signage. 2009 has seen an increase in the number of press releases on the IUCN Red List and general species work, with strong Freshwater Biodiversity Unit

Africa Freshwater Biodiversity Assessment Assessments are now almost complete for Africa’s freshwater fishes, odonates, molluscs, crabs and selected plant families. The results are being published through a series of regional reports, with the southern Africa report published in March 2009. The remaining 18 months of the project will be devoted to analysis and publication of the results, including a comprehensive pan-Africa report. Work continues on four sites demonstrating the integration of biodiversity assessments into environmental planning.

Example of enclosure signage, Edinburgh Zoo Example of signage in the Bristol Zoo Aquarium

species 50 • 31 species programme update

successful in terms of fundraising. Future priorities for the FBU include a global freshwater fish assessment and additional multi-taxon regional assessments.

Supporting the SSC Network

Dena Cator and Julie Griffin coordinate Species Programme support and engagement with the SSC network. This includes working with the SSC Chair’s Office on the re- appointment of Specialist Group Chairs, support for communications products, work with the marine and plant sub-committees, regular liaison with SSC Chairs on IUCN Wetlands. © Michael McCullough policy work, species work across the Union and fundraising opportunities. Julie and Dena also increasingly assist with training for the IUCN Red List and SIS. Expansion into Asia Policy engagement with CITES and CBD has been a Three new projects have been initiated in Asia, with another major activity: Dena continues to work intensively on CITES, in the pipeline. These will lead to an estimated 5,000+ new representing the IUCN delegation at various CITES species assessments, representing a major step towards a Committee meetings, and providing input to the Plants comprehensive Asia assessment. The HighARCS Project, Committee meeting in February 2009. She is working closely initiated in January 2009, is focusing on sustainable use of with Thomasina Oldfield to prepare for the upcoming CITES freshwater resources in the upper catchments of Asia. The CoP15 meeting in March 2010. Julie leads on IUCN’s work Eastern Himalayas Assessment started in July 2009 and will for the CBD Global Strategy for Plant Conservation, and both assess all target freshwater taxa (excluding plants) in those will contribute to preparations for CBD CoP10 in 2010 and river basins overlapping the Eastern Himalayas hotspot. other activities to highlight SSC’s work in the International Assessments will build on the use and livelihoods focus of Year of Biodiversity. the HighArcs Project. The Indo-Burma Assessment starts in September 2009 and we have received funding (CEPF) to complete an assessment of the Western Ghats hotspot to start November 2009.

Toolkit for Integrated Assessment of Wetlands “An Integrated Wetland Assessment Toolkit: A guide to good practice” was published in July 2009. The Toolkit provides guidance to integrate methods for species biodiversity assessment, economic valuation, and livelihoods analyses, enabling a more comprehensive valuation of wetlands as fully functioning ecosystems.

Key Biodiversity Areas (KBAs) Candidate Freshwater KBAs have been identified for southern Africa and funds have been received from Conservation International to run a workshop in Cambridge in December 2009 to finalize the Freshwater KBAs for Africa and to work on rationalizing boundary overlaps with other KBAs such as Important Bird and Plant Areas.

Climate Change The FBU is a partner in an exciting new project to be funded by the EC. The project, named BioFresh, is expected to start in early 2010. It will build an information portal to enable research on the main drivers of freshwater species distributions, predicted future species distributions, gap analysis for protected areas, and much more.

Future assessment plans and fundraising Our collaboration with Conservation International to take forward the global freshwater assessments has been highly Lesser Flamingo (Phoenicopterus minor). © Lip Kee

32 • species 50 species programme update

Red List Unit Species Trade and Use

Red List Website Species Programme has been very involved in Species Use In October 2008, there was a major update of The IUCN Red and Trade Activities during 2009. Species Programme List of Threatened SpeciesTM. More than 24,000 contributed to both the CITES Plants and Animals Committee assessments were processed for this update, including a meetings which took place in March and April respectively reassessment of all birds and all mammals, and the first and where trade in species such as Bigleaf mahogany, comprehensive assessments of groupers and freshwater Euphorbias, Solomon Island dolphins and sharks were crabs. The total number of species assessments on the discussed. IUCN Species Programme also led a delegation IUCN Red List is now approaching 45,000, with over 16,900 at the CITES Standing Committee meeting in July, where species listed as threatened. such issues as crocodile ranching, sturgeon, elephant The website has been redesigned and includes new management and ivory trade were discussed. We are now features to enable more detailed searches and the sending of preparing for the 15th CITES Conference of the Parties to be search results to others. Guidelines and a tutorial are held in Doha in March 2010, with research for the agenda available from the website to guide users through the new discussions. With TRAFFIC we are carrying out an analysis of search functions on the site. the proposals submitted by Parties to amend the In June, 414 regional assessments for European appendices. These Analyses aim to provide an objective mammals and reptiles were added to the Red List website, assessment of whether the proposals meet the CITES listing marking the start of the IUCN Red List displaying sub-global criteria. The expertise in the SSC is vital to this process and assessments carried out through IUCN regional biodiversity Specialist Group members’ assistance is greatly appreciated. assessment projects. In addition, Thomasina Oldfield, who has been seconded to TRAFFIC from the Species Programme, and the SSC Red List Training Medicinal Plant Specialist Group are continuing work on There has been a substantial increase in the number of developing the Indicators for Biodiversity for Food and requests for Red List training workshops. Now that the Medicine. The suite of indicators being developed through Species Information Service (SIS) is being used to capture the Biodiversity Indicators Partnership will demonstrate our species and Red List assessment data, there is also a need progress towards meeting the CBD’s 2010 Target “to achieve to carry out formal SIS training. Increasingly, SIS is now by 2010 a significant reduction of the current rate of being included within the Red List training workshops. biodiversity loss at the global, regional and national level as a Since January 2009, nine training workshops have contribution to poverty alleviation and to the benefit of all life been completed. on Earth.”

species 50 • 33 Publications Summary

The Status and Distribution of Guidelines for the in situ Freshwater Biodiversity in Re-introduction and Southern Africa Translocation of African and Asian Rhinoceros Biodiversity within inland water ecosystems in southern Africa is This authoritative set of guidelines highly diverse and of great seeks to share and synthesize the importance to livelihoods and knowledge and experience of rhino economies. However, development translocations in Africa and Asia, and activities are not always compatible to provide decision makers and with the conservation of this diversity. senior wildlife managers with One of the main reasons is a lack of guidelines on ‘best practice’ for the translocation of African readily available information on the status and distribution of and Asian Rhinos. inland water taxa. In response to this need for information, the IUCN Species Programme, in collaboration with the South Africa Institute for Aquatic Biodiversity (SAIAB) and the Indo-Pacific Bottlenose South African National Biodiversity Institute (SANBI) Dolphin Assessment conducted a regional assessment of 1,279 taxa of freshwater Workshop Report fishes, molluscs, odonates, crabs, and selected families of aquatic plants from across southern Africa. This report is based on a workshop on the assessment of Indo-Pacific Bottlenose Dolphins (Tursiops Strategic Planning for aduncus), with the Solomon Islands Species Conservation: as a case study, that took place from A Handbook 21–23 August 2008 in Samoa. Some of the topics covered by the This handbook provides guidance to workshop included management IUCN/SSC Specialist Groups on goals and assessment options, general biology and life when and how to create Species history of Bottlenose Dolphins and threat factors including Conservation Strategies (SCSs). It live-capture. includes advice on how to conduct a thorough status review; how to develop a vision and goals for the Guidelines for the conservation of a species or species group; how to set Re-introduction of Galliformes objectives to help achieve the vision and goals; and how to for Conservation Purposes address those objectives through geographically and thematically specific actions. Brief case studies, examples Re-introductions are increasingly of SCSs, and references to sources of additional help are being used as a wildlife management also included. tool to restore extinct or depleted wild populations into suitable habitats. The Guidelines for the re-introduction of Best Practice Guidelines for Galliformes for conservation purposes the Prevention and Mitigation have been developed to provide of Conflict Between Humans guiding principles for the restoration of viable Galliformes and Great Apes populations in the wild. These guidelines provide background information on the aims and objectives of a re-introduction The IUCN/SSC Primate Specialist and the issues to consider during the planning phase. Group has published a new set of guidelines on the prevention and mitigation of conflict between humans Wildlife in a Changing World. An Analysis of the and great apes. Presented as part of 2008 IUCN Red List of Threatened Species™ the Best Practice series for great ape conservation, this report is designed to help researchers and Beginning with an explanation of the IUCN Red List as a key wildlife managers understand the causes of human – great conservation tool, it goes on to discuss the state of the ape conflict, and find equitable ways to resolve it. world’s species and provides the latest information on the

34 • species 50 publications summary patterns of species facing extinction The European Red List of in some of the most important Amphibians ecosystems in the world, highlighting the reasons behind their declining The European Red List is a review of status. Areas of focus in the report the conservation status include: freshwater biodiversity, the of c.6,000 European species status of the world’s marine species, (mammals, reptiles, amphibians, species susceptibility to climate freshwater fishes, butterflies, change impacts, the Mediterranean dragonflies, and selected groups of biodiversity hotspot, and broadening beetles, molluscs, and vascular the coverage of biodiversity plants) according to IUCN regional assessments. red-listing guidelines. It identifies those species that are threatened with extinction at the regional level – in order that appropriate conservation action can be taken to improve their The European Red List of status. This Red List publication summarizes results for Reptiles European amphibians.

The European Red List is a review of the conservation status of c.6,000 An Integrated Wetland European species (mammals, Assessment Toolkit reptiles, amphibians,freshwater fishes, butterflies, dragonflies, and selected This toolkit sets out a process for groups of beetles, molluscs, and integrated assessment and vascular plants) according to IUCN provides a set of methods that can regional red-listing guidelines. It be used to investigate identifies those species that are the links between biodiversity, threatened with extinction at the regional level – in order that economics and livelihoods in appropriate conservation action can be taken to improve their wetlands, and to identify and address status. This Red List publication summarizes results for potential conflicts of European reptiles. interest between conservation and development objectives. The integrated approach presented in the toolkit also enables practitioners to assess a wetland in terms of its combined biodiversity, economic and livelihood values. It is intended to help overcome the current methodological and information gaps in wetland assessment, thereby facilitating the factoring of wetland values into conservation and development decision-making and management planning.

species 50 • 35 can we stop the extinction crisis?

Eastern Gorilla (Gorilla berengei) © J. Martin

The world’s most comprehensive information source on the global conservation status of plant and animal species. www.iucnredlist.org