Data Deficient Research Articles

Comprehensive Red List assessment reveals exceptionally high extinction risk to Madagascar palms.

The establishment of baseline IUCN Red List assessments for plants is a crucial step in conservation planning. Nowhere is this more important than in biodiversity hotspots that are subject to significant anthropogenic pressures, such as Madagascar. Here, all Madagascar palm species are assessed using the IUCN Red List categories and criteria, version 3.1. Our results indicate that 83% of the 192 endemic species are threatened, nearly four times the proportion estimated for plants globally and exceeding estimates for all other comprehensively evaluated plant groups in Madagascar. Compared with a previous assessment in 1995, the number of Endangered and Critically Endangered species has substantially increased, due to the discovery of 28 new species since 1995, most of which are highly threatened. The conservation status of most species included in both the 1995 and the current assessments has not changed. Where change occurred, more species have moved to lower threat categories than to higher categories, because of improved knowledge of species and their distributions, rather than a decrease in extinction risk. However, some cases of genuine deterioration in conservation status were also identified. Palms in Madagascar are primarily threatened by habitat loss due to agriculture and biological resource use through direct exploitation or collateral damage. The recent extension of Madagascar’s protected area network is highly beneficial for palms, substantially increasing the number of threatened species populations included within reserves. Notably, three of the eight most important protected areas for palms are newly designated. However, 28 threatened and data deficient species are not protected by the expanded network, including some Critically Endangered species. Moreover, many species occurring in protected areas are still threatened, indicating that threatening processes persist even in reserves. Definitive implementation of the new protected areas combined with local community engagement are essential for the survival of Madagascar’s palms.

Pourouma bergii (Urticaceae), a new species from South America

During the course of the taxonomic revision and molecular phylogeny of Pourouma, we encountered a new species from Peru and Ecuador. P. bergii Gaglioti & Romaniucis here described, illustrated and its morphological similarities to P. tomentosa subsp. persecta and P. petiolulata are discussed. A Conservation Assessment determines P. bergii to be Data Deficient (DD).

강원도 동해시·삼척시 일대 고유생육지의 식물상

This study was carried out to investigate the flora of indigenous habitat of Donghae-si and Samcheok-si in Gangwon-do, Korea. The vascular plants were collected 18 times (from March to October 2011), and were identified as 804 taxa; 127 families, 445 genera, 720 species, 8 subspecies, 69 varieties, 5 forms and 2 hybrids. In the flora of this area, the calcicolous plants were 55 taxa; Cheilanthes argentea, Clematis serratifoliam, Quercus variabilis. Epipactis papillosa, etc. The endangered plants designated and protected by the wildlife protection law, the Ministry of Environment, Korean were counted to one taxon; Cymbidium macrorhizum. The red list of vascular plants according to IUCN valuation basis were examined, endangered species (EN); Prunus yedoensis and Cymbidium macrorhizum, Vulnerable species (VU); Juniperus chinensis, Pulsatilla tongkangensis, Diarthron linifolium and Swertia wilfordii, Near Threatened species (NT); Paeonia japonica, Allium senescens, Epipactis papillosa and Pogonia minor, Least Concern species (LC); Asplenium ruta-muraria, Platycladus orientalis, Monotropa hypopithys and Eleutherococcus divaricatus var. chiisanensis, etc., Data Deficient species (DD); Paeonia lactiflora var. trichocarpa, and Not Evaluate species (NE); Prunus choreiana, Panax ginseng and Polygonatum infundiflorum etc. Korean endemic plants of this area were 26 taxa; Aconitum pseudolaeve, Corydalis hirtipes, Vicia chosenensis, Salvia chanroenica and Hemerocallis hakuunensis, etc. The floristic regional indicator plants found in this area were 130 taxa comprising 11 taxa of grade V, 15 taxa of grade IV, 33 taxa of grade III, 15 taxa of grade II, 56 taxa of grade I. The naturalized plants were identified as 67 taxa and the percent of naturalized index (NI) was 8.3% of total 804 taxa vascular plants.

The cost of being valuable: predictors of extinction risk in marine invertebrates exploited as luxury seafood

Extinction risk has been linked to biological and anthropogenic variables. Prediction of extinction risk in valuable fauna may not follow mainstream drivers when species are exploited for international markets. We use results from an International Union for Conservation of Nature Red List assessment of extinction risk in all 377 known species of sea cucumber within the order Aspidochirotida, many of which are exploited worldwide as luxury seafood for Asian markets. Extinction risk was primarily driven by high market value, compounded by accessibility and familiarity (well known) in the marketplace. Extinction risk in marine animals often relates closely to body size and small geographical range but our study shows a clear exception. Conservation must not lose sight of common species, especially those of high value. Greater human population density and poorer economies in the geographical ranges of endangered species illustrate that anthropogenic variables can also predict extinction risks in marine animals. Local-level regulatory measures must prevent opportunistic exploitation of high-value species. Trade agreements, for example CITES, may aid conservation but will depend on international technical support to low-income tropical countries. The high proportion of data deficient species also stresses a need for research on the ecology and population demographics of unglamorous invertebrates.

Combining environmental suitability and habitat connectivity to map rare or Data Deficient species in the Tropics

The IUCN Red List is a widely accepted system for classifying species’ risk of extinction, based on quantitative criteria. Although IUCN discourages the liberal use of the category “Data Deficient” (DD), most assessed groups have a large number of their species assigned to this category, especially in the Tropics. Therefore, DD species can introduce considerable uncertainty into estimates of proportions of threatened species, and research focused on elucidating the true status of those species should be a priority. Here we propose a simple method to gather information on geographic distribution and guide the search for new populations of rare, small-ranged, forest species, using the literature, online data, and standard GIS procedures. The method involves: (i) creating a geographic distribution model; (ii) selecting the environmentally suitable sites from that model; (iii) removing sites that have lost natural vegetation; and (iv) removing habitat networks that are too small and/or isolated, based on thresholds established from known occurrence records and the literature for ecologically similar species. As a case study, we use Lonchophylla peracchii, a recently described forest-dependent bat endemic to southeastern Brazil. We found that environmentally suitable sites for L. peracchii are already heavily deforested, confirming habitat loss as a major threat. Importantly, we identified five priority sites to search for the species outside of its currently known distribution. From that, we discuss its likely status based on IUCN's Criterion B2 (Extent of Occurrence). This method could be useful for other poorly known forest species, especially in the Tropics where most of these species are, and funding for research and fieldwork is scarcest. Currently there are 1910 terrestrial vertebrates in tropical forest worldwide classified as DD that could be evaluated using this method, provided that they have at least 5–10 occurrence records.

Biodiversity and Seasonal Abundance of Small Indigenous Fish Species (SIS) in the Rivers and Adjacent Beels of Karimganj (Kishoreganj, Bangladesh)

Small (length <25 cm) indigenous fish species (SIS) play an important role in providing animal sources of protein in the poor rural houses of Bangladesh. They are also valuable sources of vitamin A, calcium and Iron. But since the green revolution started in Bangladesh their diversity has been decreased alarmingly. This investigation was carried out from December 2010 to November 2011 in the riversand beels of Karimganj Upazila, Bangladesh to assess the biodiversity status of SIS. The samples were collected from Balikholafish landing centre and thearea was visited at least once in a month. However, during the study period, only 30 species belonging to 7 orders and 15 families were identified where 19 species had normal abundance, 6 species moderate abundance and 5 species least abundance. The highest number (9) of species was recordedfrom the family Cyprinidae and Puntius sophore being the most dominant. Among the families, contribution of Cyprinidae was 30%, followed by Bagridae and Schilbeidae 10%, Channidae and Clupeidae 6.67% and rest of the each family was 3.33%. The species comprised 39% catfishes, 22% minnows, 17% barbs, 10% perch, 5% snakeheads, 2% gourami, and river shads, loaches, gar, glass fish, goby were 1% individually. The highest number of species (25) was found in October and the lowest (3) in February. The maximum yield of SIS was found in (Sep-Dec) period and the least availability of SIS found during (Jan-Apr). Among the fish species, 2 were considered as critically endangered (CR), 4 were endangered, 3 were vulnerable (VU) and 2 were Data Deficient (DD). From this repot, general people, researcher and policy makers would be able to know about the valuable SIS fishes of the study area, their present biodiversity status and their seasonal abundance. The information will be helpful for proper conservation and management of the SIS.

Diversity of Odonata in the Peak Wilderness Sanctuary, Sri Lanka

A preliminary study on the diversity of odonata was carried out for the first time to assess thediversity of odonata in the Peak Wilderness Sanctuary (PWS), Sri Lanka. It is a biologicallyrich area surrounding the Adam's Peak which is located at 6° 48' 33.357 N and 80° 29'58.3182 E. Total area of the sanctuary is about 24,000 ha and the altitude ranges from 50 mto 2238 m.. The study was conducted from August 2012 to August 2013. Visual encountersurvey method was used for the sampling and it was carried out along the existing paths andstreams in the sanctuary covering many different habitats types. Sampling was done in theday time from 0800 h to 1700 h as odonates are most active during the day. 34 species ofodonates representing 11 families were recorded during the study while 30 of them wereidentified to the species level. This represents 28.1% (from 121 species) of the Sri Lankanodonate fauna. 19 of the recorded species (55.9%) belong to Suborder Zygoptera while theremaining 15 (44.1%) belongs to the Suborder Anisoptera. Seven of the identified species areendemic to the country while 13 species are considered to be threatened with extinction at thenational level. 10 of the threatened species are known to be Vulnerable while three speciesare endangered. The nationally data deficient and globally critically endangered damselflySinhalestes orientalis (Hagen in Selys, 1862) which has not been recorded for 154 years wasalso observed during this study. The high species richness of odonata and the presence ofmany threatened species and data deficient species indicate that the PWS is an important areafor the odonata thus more comprehensive studies and suitable conservation actions should bemade.

Czerwona lista porostów zagrożonych w Górach Świętokrzyskich [Red List of threatened lichens in the Świętokrzyskie Mts.

The first regional list of threatened lichens and allied fungi is presented. The list is a result of investigation studies in the Świętokrzyskie Mts. including Świętokrzyski National Park in Central Poland. The status of threat to the lichen and allied fungi species listed has been determined according to the IUCN Red List Categories in version 3.1 (2001). The data obtained were compared with historical ones. Changes of the species main frequency were used as an additional indicator of their threat status. The Red List includes 313 taxa of lichens, lichenicolous and saprobic fungi, which constitute 66% of the Świętokrzyskie Mts. of the local lichen biota and 19.5% of Polish biota. The status of threatened biota has the following categories: Regionally Extinct (RE) - 85 taxa, Critically Endangered (CR) - 57, Endangered (EN) - 36, Vulnerable (VU) - 38, Near Threatened (NT) - 29, Least Concern (LC) - 17 and Data Deficient (DD) - 51. Lichens belonging to RE and CR categories constitute together 30% of the local biota.

Czerwona lista porostów zagrożonych w Gorcach [Red List of threatened lichens in Gorce Mts.

The first regional list of threatened lichens and allied fungi is presented. The list is a result of investigation studies in the Gorce Mts. (Beskidy Zachodnie range in Karpaty Zachodnie range). The status of threat to the lichen and allied fungi species used has been determined according to the IUCN Red List Categories in version 3.1 (2001). The data obtained were compared with historical ones. Changes of the species main frequency were used as an additional indicator of their threat status. The Red List includes 367 taxa of lichens, lichenicolous and saprobic fungi, which constitute ca 67% of the Gorce Mts. total lichen biota and 22.9% of Polish biota. The status of threatened biota has the following categories: Regionally Extinct (RE) - 83 taxa, Critically Endangered (CR) - 61, En-dangered (EN) - 49, Vulnerable (VU) - 50, Near Threatened (NT) - 23, Least Concern (LC) -11 and Data Deficient (DD) - 90. The most threatened are obligatory forest epiphytes growing almost exclusively on old spruce &lt;em&gt;Picea abies&lt;/em&gt; and beech &lt;em&gt;Fagus sylvatica&lt;/em&gt; trees.

Czerwona lista porostów zagrożonych w Puszczy Pilickiej [Red List of threatened lichens in the Pilicka Old-growth Forest

The first regional list of threatened lichens and allied fungi is presented. The list is a result of investigation studies in the Pilicka Old-growth Forest, forests located on both sides of the middle course of the Pilica River, which flows in Central Poland. The status of threat to the lichen and lichenicolous fungus species listed has been determined according to the Red List Categories by IUCN (2001, version 3.1). The data obtained were compared with historical ones. Changes of the species main frequency were used as an additional indicator of threat status. The Red List includes 140 taxa of lichens and lichenicolous fungus, which constitute 51.8% of the local biota and 8.7% of Polish biota. The status of threatened biota has the following categories: Regionally Extinct (RE) - 12 taxa, Critically Endangered (CR) - 18, Endangered (EN) - 28, Vulnerable (VU) - 42, Near Threatened (NT) - 23, Least Concern (LC) - 7 and Data Deficient (DD) - 10.

Diversity and Conservation Status of Fish Fauna in Freshwater Lake of Kamalapur, Karimnagar District, Telangana, India

The present paper deals with the diversity, abundance and IUCN status of fresh water fish fauna in freshwater Lake of Kamalapur, Dist Karimnagar. Samples were collected monthly with help of local fishermen by using fishing nets. Total of 25 fishes are belonging to 7 orders, 11 families and 18 genera. Among fishes order Cypriniformes was most dominant with 11 fish species followed by order Siluriformes with six species, the order Perciformes with three species, Symbranchiformes with two species and Ostoeoglossiformes, Beloiniformes and Anguilliformes one species each. Of these, 13 species of fish are least concerned, 4 are data deficient (DD), 6 are not evaluate (NE), 1 species of fish is vulnerable and one species of fish is near threatened. Shannon-Weiner diversity (H - ) and Evenness (J) for different months were calculated.

Czerwona lista porostów zagrożonych w polskiej części Sudetów [Red List of threatened lichens in Polish pan of the Sudety Mts.

The first regional list of threatened lichens is presented. The list is a result of investigation studies in the Polish part of the Sudety Mts. The status of threat to the lichen species used has been determined according to the IUCN Red List Categories in Version 3.1 (2001). The data obtained were compared with historical ones. Changes of the species main frequency were used as an additional indicator of their threat status. The Red List includes 504 taxa of lichens, which constitute ca 60% of the local biota and 31.6% of Polish biota. The status of threatened biota has the following categories: Regionally Extinct (RE) -123 taxa, Critically Endangered (CR) - 39, Endangered (EN) - 56, Vulnerable (VU) - 84, Near Threatened (NT) - 17, Least Concern (LC) - 19 and Data Deficient (DD) - 166.

Czerwona lista porostów zagrożonych w Puszczy Białowieskiej [Red List of threatened lichens in the Białowieża Old-growth Forest

The first regional list of threatened lichens and allied fungi is presented. The list is a result of investigation studies in the Białowieża Old-growth Forest, best preserved forests in European lowland, located in North-Eastern Poland. The status of threat to the lichen and allied fungi species listed has been determined according to the Red List Categories by IUCN (2001, version 3.1). The data obtained were compared with historical ones. Changes of the species main frequency were used as an additional indicator of their threat status. The Red List includes 135 taxa of lichens, lichenicolous and saprobic fungi, which constitute 33.7% of the local biota and 8.4% of Polish biota. The status of threatened biota has the folowing categories: Regionally Extinct (RE) - 38 taxa, Critically Endangered (CR) - 29, Endangered (EN) - 19, Vulnerable (VU) - 8, Near Threatened (NT) - 9, Least Concern (LC) -11 and Data Deficient (DD) - 21.

Czerwona lista porostów zagrożonych na Pomorzu Gdańskim [Red List of threatened lichens in Gdańsk Pomerania

The first regional list of threatened lichens and allied fungi is presented. The list is a result of investigation studies in Gdańsk Pomerania, which mostly comprises the area of the Pomeranian Voivodeship and geobotanic units of Gdańsk Pomerania in Poland. The data obtained were compared with historical ones. Changes of the species main frequency were used as an additional indicator of their threat status. The status of threat to the lichen and allied fungi species listed has been determined according to the Red List Categories by IUCN (2001, version 3.1). The Red List includes 286 taxa of lichens, licheniclous and saprobic fungi, which constitute 53.9% of the local biota and 17.9% of Polish biota. The status ofthreatened biota has the following categori-es: Regionally Extinct (RE) - 37 taxa, Critically Endangered (CR) - 45, Endangered (EN) - 44, Vulnerable (VU) - 82, Near Threatened (NT) - 5, Least Concern (LC) - 6 and Data Deficient (DD) - 67. Species typical of deciduous forests are the most threatened ones.

Czerwona lista porostów zagrożonych w Polsce północno-wschodniej [Red List of threatened lichens in North-Eastern Poland

The second regional list of threatened lichens and allied fungi is presented. The list is a result of investigation studies in North-Eastern Poland. In physicogeographic regionalization this area comprises 4 macroregions: Staropruska Lowland, Litewskie (Lithuanian) Lakeland, Mazurian Lakeland and South Podlasie Lowland. It is characterized by the presence of large forest complexes, including the Białowieża Old-growth Forest, the Knyszyńska Old-growth Forest, the Augustowska Old-growth Forest, the Romincka Old-growth Forest, the Borecka Old-growth Forest and the Piska Old-growth Forest. The status of threat to the lichen and allied fungi species listed has been determined according to the IUCN Red List Categories in version 3.1 (2001). The data obtained were compared with historical ones. Changes of the species main frequency were used as an additional indicator of their threat status. The Red List includes 310 taxa of lichens, lichenicolous and saprobic fungi, which constitute 52% of the NE Poland total lichen biota and 19.4% of Polish biota. The status of threatened biota has the following categories: Regionally Extinct (RE) -49 taxa, Critically Endangered (CR) - 58, Endangered (EN) - 41, Vulnerable (VU) - 39, Near Threatened (NT) - 24, Least Concern (LC) - 19 and Data Deficient (DD) - 80. Epiphytes constitute 84% of extinct and critically endangered species.

Czerwona lista porostów zagrożonych w Puszczy Kozienickiej [Red List of threatened lichens in the Kozienicka Old-growth Forest

The first regional list of threatened lichens and allied fungi is presented. The list is a result of investigation studies in the Kozienicka Old-growth Forest, in forests located between the Vistula and Radomka Rivers, in Central Poland. The status of threat to the lichen and allied fungi species listed has been determined according to the Red List Categories by IUCN (2001, version 3.1). The data obtained were compared with historical ones. Changes of the species main frequency were used as an additional indicator of their threat status. The Red List includes 144 taxa of lichens, lichenicolous and saprobic fungi, which constitute 61.8% of the local biota and 9% of Polish biota. The status of threatened biota has the following categories: Regionally Extinct (RE) - 13 taxa, Critically Endangered (CR) - 26, Endangered (EN) - 31, Vulnerable (VU) - 23, NearThreatened (NT) -17, Least Concern (LC) -14 and Data Deficient (DD)-20. Epiphytic lichens of forest and roadside trees as well as forest epixylic arę the most threatened ones.

Czerwona lista porostów wymarłych i zagrożonych w Polsce [Red List of extinct and threatened lichens in Poland

The authors present a list of regionally extinct, threatened, lower risk and insufficiently status taxa of lichens in whole Poland. It is thirth edition of our list. Status of threat to the lichen species used has been determined according to the IUCN Red List Categories in version 3.1 (modified by GlNSBURG 2001). The Red List includes 886 taxa, which constitute 55.4% of the Polish lichen biota. The status of threatened biota has the following categories: Regionally Extinct (RE) - 141 taxa, Critically Endangered (CR) - 179, Endangered (EN) - 201, Vulnerable (VU) - 165, Near Threatened (NT) - 68, Least Concern (LC) - 22 and Data Deficient (DD) 110.

Czerwona lista porostów zagrożonych w Borach Tucholskich [Red List of threatened lichens in the Tucholskie Forest

The first regional list of threatened lichens and allied fungi is presented. The list is a result of investigation studies in the Tucholskie Forest, lowland forests growing in Western Pomerania, in northern Poland. The status of threat to the lichen and allied fungi species listed has been determined according to the Red List Categories by IUCN (2001, version 3.1). The data obtained were compared with historical ones. Changes of species main frequency were used as an additional indicator of their threat status. The Red List includes 151 taxa of lichens, lichenicolous and saprobic fungi, which constitute 39.7% of the local biota and 9.4% of Polish biota. The status of threatened biota has the following categories: Regionally Extinct (RE) - 28 taxa, Critically Endangered (CR) - 4, Endangered (EN) - 28, Vulnerable (VU) - 26, Near Threatened (NT) -19, Least Concern (LC) - 9 and Data Deficient (DD) - 37.

Czerwona lista porostów zagrożonych na Śląsku Opolskim i Górnym Śląsku [Red List of threatened lichens in Opole Silesia and Upper Silesia

The thirth regional list of threatened and allied fungi is presented. The list is a result of investigation studies in Opole Silesia and Upper Silesia in S Poland. The status of threat to the lichen and allied fungi species used has been determined according to the IUCN Red List Categories in version 3. l (2001). The data obtained were compared with historical ones. While assigning given lichen species to suitable categories of threat the geographic criterium of their occurrence ranges was accepted because most source data from the study area concerns the distribution and frequency of species. The Red List includes 536 taxa of lichens, lichenicolous and saprobic fungi, which constitute 72.9% of the local biota and 33.5% of Polish biota. The status of threatened biota has the following catego¬ries: Regionally Extinct (RE) - 80 taxa, Critically Endangered (CR) - 61, Endangered (EN) - 95, Vulnerable (VU) - 90, Near Threatened (NT) - 71, Least Concern (LC) - 22 and Data Deficient (DD) -117. The lichen biota of this region of Poland has been most human impacted.

계단식 묵논습지의 지형학적 특성 및 식물종 분포

Abandoned paddy terraces (APTs) are increasing due to low accessibility and economic value of them. Although the APTs might be a kind of very valuable wetlands ecosystem in South Korea, there has been only few studies on that ecosystem so far. To understand the geomorphological characteristics and plant species distribution of APTs, three well-preserved APTs in Gyeong-gi Province were selected to investigate the wetland structure including their area, altitude, water depth of each layer, and plant species distribution in summer 2012. APTs were developed along the valley in mountainous area with multi-layer structure and water depth between layers and among wetlands varied. A number of 112 taxa including near-threatened species, Penthorum chinense and data-deficient species, Sparganium japonicum were recorded and they seemed to form very complex mosaic vegetations indicating high evenness and diversity although each layer’s morphology was relatively homogeneous. Ecological values of APTs with diverse flora should be addressed to the public and the experts and more and continuous studies to monitor and investigate the APTs in detail are suggested.