IUCN Red List

Overview

The IUCN Red List, officially known as the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species, is a comprehensive inventory of the global conservation status of biological species. It uses a set of criteria to evaluate the extinction risk of thousands of species and subspecies. These criteria are relevant to all species and all regions of the world.

History

The IUCN Red List was established in 1964 by the International Union for Conservation of Nature. The aim was to highlight those species most in need of conservation attention and to promote their conservation. The Red List has since evolved to become the world's most comprehensive information source on the global conservation status of animal, fungi and plant species.

Purpose and Use

The primary purpose of the IUCN Red List is to catalogue and highlight those species that are facing a higher risk of global extinction (i.e., those listed as Critically Endangered, Endangered and Vulnerable). The IUCN Red List also includes information on species that are categorized as Extinct or Extinct in the Wild; on taxa that cannot be evaluated because of insufficient information (i.e., are Data Deficient); and on species that are either close to meeting the threatened thresholds or that would be threatened were it not for an ongoing specific conservation programme (i.e., Near Threatened).

A photograph of a physical copy of the IUCN Red List.

Assessment Process

The IUCN Red List is compiled by the global conservation community. The process begins with the collection of data on a species, which includes its range, population size, habitat and ecology, use and trade, threats, and conservation actions. This information is then analysed by the Red List Authority of the appropriate IUCN Specialist Group or by the Red List Partner organization. The result of the assessment is then subject to both internal and external peer review, and if approved, is published on the IUCN Red List website.

Categories and Criteria

The IUCN Red List categories and criteria are the general framework used to determine the relative risk of extinction. The categories are as follows:

Extinct (EX)
Extinct in the Wild (EW)
Critically Endangered (CR)
Endangered (EN)
Vulnerable (VU)
Near Threatened (NT)
Least Concern (LC)
Data Deficient (DD)
Not Evaluated (NE)

Criticisms and Limitations

While the IUCN Red List is a critical tool in conservation efforts, it is not without its limitations. Some criticisms include the fact that the list is heavily skewed towards better-studied groups, such as birds and mammals, and that many species remain unassessed. Additionally, the Red List categories and criteria are not applicable to all species, such as micro-organisms, which remain poorly represented.