IUCN Species Survival Commission Research Articles

Launching of the IUCN Species Survival Commission Spain Species Specialist Group

Launching of the IUCN Species Survival Commission Spain Species Specialist Group

The IUCN Species Survival Commission launches a new Red List Authority to assess marine invertebrates

The IUCN Species Survival Commission launches a new Red List Authority to assess marine invertebrates

New IUCN Species Survival Commission Parasite Specialist Group launched in 2023

An abstract is not available for this content. As you have access to this content, full HTML content is provided on this page. A PDF of this content is also available in through the ‘Save PDF’ action button.

Range-Wide Conservation Efforts for the Critically Endangered Atlantic Humpback Dolphin (Sousa teuszii)

The Atlantic humpback dolphin (Sousa teuszii) is a critically endangered cetacean species endemic to coastal Atlantic waters of Africa. Its preference for shallow coastal habitat renders it vulnerable to incidental capture (bycatch) in non-selective fishing gears as well as to habitat degradation from all forms of coastal development. Although past and ongoing research has shed light on the distribution and conservation status of the species in a few locations, it is still poorly understood throughout most of the 19 countries in its 7000 km long range. From 2020 onward, international and regional collaboration to increase awareness and promote conservation action has intensified. These efforts, while in the early stages, exemplify the IUCN Species Survival Commission’s Assess-Plan-Act Conservation Cycle. While concrete conservation gains have not yet been achieved, efforts are being made to fill knowledge gaps and to broaden and motivate the network of international, regional, national, and local stakeholders that are actively engaged in marine and coastal conservation actions at multiple levels. The authors assess the strengths and weaknesses of the current approaches and identify elements that may be useful for other species with ranges spanning multiple countries where resources and capacity for conservation action are limited.

Addressing the Biodiversity Paradox: Mismatch between the Co-Occurrence of Biological Diversity and the Human, Financial and Institutional Resources to Address Its Decline

Pressures are mounting for the adoption of a Global Biodiversity Framework that transforms conservation and sustainable use efforts worldwide. Underlying this challenge is the biodiversity paradox: biological diversity predominantly concentrates in the tropics, while human, institutional, and financial resources are primarily located at higher latitudes both north and south. Addressing the biodiversity paradox requires the expansion and mobilization of human, institutional and financial resources around the world. We outline a model championed by the IUCN Species Survival Commission (SSC) that builds on the Species Conservation Cycle (Assess-Plan-Act-Network-Communicate) and recognizes that most conservation action occurs at the national or local level. Various strategies are applied to this end by the partners of Reverse the Red, a global movement that ignites strategic cooperation and science-based action to ensure the survival of wild species and ecosystems. The SSC contributes to Reverse the Red through two primary strategies: National Species Specialist Groups and Centers for Species Survival. By building on existing expert networks and catalyzing efforts with established local institutions, we aim to significantly expand capacity to implement conservation action at the national level and reverse the negative trends indicated by the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species and the Red List of Ecosystems.

Beyond skills and knowledge: the role of self-efficacy and peer networks in building capacity for species conservation planning

AbstractBiodiversity loss is one of the greatest global challenges and requires substantial investment in building the capacity of conservation professionals to design and implement robust conservation plans. In this study, we surveyed 155 past participants of training in facilitating species conservation planning processes given by the Conservation Planning Specialist Group of the IUCN Species Survival Commission. Based on a recently developed theory of change for the training, we examined how and to what extent the training contributed to the desired outcome of increasing trainees’ capacity for leading the design and facilitation of species conservation planning processes. Our results indicate that recall of training content, self-efficacy (an individual's belief they can complete a specific task or behaviour successfully) and peer network participation had significant impacts on the outcome of applying training content in the workplace. Furthermore, our results suggest that self-efficacy played a highly influential role in trainees' participation in species conservation planning post-training. The implications of this research point to designing conservation training that considers not only the skills and knowledge to be gained by learners but also the strategies that enhance trainees' self-efficacy in applying new skills and knowledge and in establishing peer networks to support trainees in turning training objectives into realities.

Strengthening capacity for species conservation in South-east Asia: a provisional assessment of needs and opportunities for the Asian Species Action Partnership

AbstractSouth-east Asia is home to exceptional biodiversity, but threats to vertebrate species are disproportionately high in this region. The IUCN Species Survival Commission Asian Species Action Partnership aims to avert species extinctions. Strengthening individual and organizational capacity is key to achieving long-term, sustainable conservation impact, and is a core strategic intervention for the Partnership. To look at the needs and opportunities for developing capacity for species conservation in South-east Asia, we undertook a needs assessment with organizations implementing species conservation within this region. We conducted a review of available training opportunities, mapping them against a list of identified competences needed for species conservation to determine gaps in current training. Our assessments revealed an imbalance in the focus of training opportunities vs the actual competences needed for effective species conservation, and that training opportunities within South-east Asia are limited in number and highly competitive. These findings corroborate other similar reviews, particularly on capacity gaps in the Global South. We discuss the implications of our review and use the findings to generate recommendations.

Vital rate estimates for the common eider Somateria mollissima, a data‐rich exemplar of the seaduck tribe

Abstract This database collates vital rate estimates for the common eider (Somateria mollissima), providing a complete demographic parameterization for this slow life‐history species. Monitored across its circumpolar range, the common eider represents a data‐rich exemplar species for the less‐studied seaducks, many of which are under threat. The database contains estimates of the following vital rates: first‐year survival; second‐year survival; adult annual survival; first breeding (both age‐specific recruitment probability, and breeding propensity across potential recruitment ages); breeding propensity of established female breeders; clutch size; hatching success; and fledging success. These estimates are drawn from 134 studies, across the scientific and grey literature, including three previously inaccessible datasets on clutch size that were contributed in response to a call for data through the IUCN Species Survival Commission's Duck Specialist Group. Although clutch size has been much studied, the contributed datasets have enhanced coverage of studies reported in non‐English languages, which were otherwise only represented when cited in English‐language publications. Breeding propensity has been little studied, perhaps because adult females are often assumed to attempt breeding every year; we obtained a mean breeding propensity of 0.72. Our synthesis highlights the following gaps in data availability: juvenile and male survival; population change; and studies from Russia (at least accessible in English). The database is intended to serve population modellers and scientists involved in the policy and practice of seaduck conservation and management.

Science-based, stakeholder-inclusive and participatory conservation planning helps reverse the decline of threatened species

Reversing the decline of threatened species is a target for the Convention on Biological Diversity but current efforts are failing. An integrative, multi-stakeholder approach to species conservation planning, which includes population viability analyses and both in situ and ex situ management consideration, could improve outcomes for some of the most challenging cases. The IUCN Species Survival Commission (SSC) uses such a planning approach, however, evidence of improved outcomes for species has to date been anecdotal. To assess the impact of planning, we accessed 35 species conservation plans completed in 23 countries over 13 years from the IUCN SSC database and matched them with independently generated Red List assessments of extinction risk. We used the Red List Index and a counterfactual approach, comparing the overall predicted extinction trend without planning with the observed trend after planning. Post-planning, threatened species declines continued, but gradually slowed, and then reversed, with an upward trend of recovery within 15 years. No species became extinct. Simulated counterfactual projections indicated outcomes would have been worse without the planning intervention; around eight species would have become extinct over that timeframe. To date, this planning approach has been applied to relatively high-profile species facing multiple threats, and where conflicting views, uncertainty, or lack of coordination among stakeholders constrain action. Opportunities to broaden application to other taxa are discussed. Our study provides evidence that science-based, participatory approaches to planning can create a turning point for threatened species by supporting stakeholders to transition quickly to more effective ways of working together.

Conservationists deserve protection

The global conservation community is shocked and deeply concerned about the deaths of two butterfly conservationists in Mexico. On 29 January, environmentalist Homero Gomez Gonzalez was found dead in Michoacan state, near the El Rosario Monarch Butterfly Preserve he managed ([ 1 ][1], [ 2 ][2]). On 1 February, the body of a second butterfly activist, Raul Hernandez Romero, was also found ([ 3 ][3], [ 4 ][4]). Although official investigations are ongoing, both deaths are presumed to be related to retaliation by criminal groups of illegal loggers ([ 1 ][1]–[ 4 ][4]). Environmental defenders around the world are increasingly exposed to threats and violence ([ 5 ][5])—sometimes, as in the recent tragic events in Mexico, at the risk of their lives. Any threat or attack experienced by nonviolent environmental defenders is unacceptable. Many countries, by signing international biodiversity agreements, have agreed implicitly to protect conservationists and environmental human rights defenders. For example, 89 states—including Mexico—are members of the International Union for Conservation of Nature and are thus signatories to resolutions that call for support for environmental defenders ([ 6 ][6]). Another example, the Escazu Agreement, is currently undergoing ratification by Latin American countries ([ 7 ][7]). Crimes committed against environmental defenders cannot go unpunished, and justice must be prompt. Those who would attack the people who try to protect nature do so at their own peril. Humans depend on plants, animals, and fungi for survival, and those working to achieve global targets to halt biodiversity loss deserve nothing but support. To recognize the importance of conservation work and the risks it too often entails, countries should make explicit their commitment to protecting conservationists. Later this year, at the 15th Conference of the Parties to the Convention on Biological Diversity in Kunming, China, new biodiversity targets will be set to guide future conservation action. It is paramount that at this pivotal time the biodiversity crisis is taken seriously by governments through direct action that protects not just biodiversity but also those working tirelessly to preserve it. It is our duty to pursue the legacy of conservationists like Homero and Raul. 1. [↵][8]1. K. Semple, 2. P. Villegas , “Mexican butterfly conservationist is found dead, two weeks after vanishing,” The New York Times (2020). 2. [↵][9]1. D. Agren , “Mexico: Defender of monarch butterflies found dead two weeks after he vanished,” The Guardian (2020). 3. [↵][10]1. A. Ortega , “At famed Mexican butterfly reserve, second worker found dead,” Reuters (2020). 4. [↵][11]“Second Mexico monarch butterfly activist found dead,” BBC (2020). 5. [↵][12]Global Witness, “Enemies of the state? How governments and business silence land and environmental defenders” (2019). 6. [↵][13]Resolution 2.37 of the 2000 IUCN World Conservation Congress (2000); [www.iucn.org/sites/dev/files/import/downloads/wcc\_amman\_res\_2\_37.pdf][14]. 7. [↵][15]United Nations, “Regional agreement on access to information, public participation and justice in environmental matters in Latin America and the Caribbean” (2018); [www.cepal.org/en/escazuagreement][16]. M.B. chairs the IUCN Species Survival Commission (SSC) Butterfly Specialist Group. S.H. chairs the IUCN SSC Spider and Scorpion Specialist Group. A.H. chairs the IUCN SSC Invertebrate Conservation Committee. [1]: #ref-1 [2]: #ref-2 [3]: #ref-3 [4]: #ref-4 [5]: #ref-5 [6]: #ref-6 [7]: #ref-7 [8]: #xref-ref-1-1 View reference 1 in text [9]: #xref-ref-2-1 View reference 2 in text [10]: #xref-ref-3-1 View reference 3 in text [11]: #xref-ref-4-1 View reference 4 in text [12]: #xref-ref-5-1 View reference 5 in text [13]: #xref-ref-6-1 View reference 6 in text [14]: http://www.iucn.org/sites/dev/files/import/downloads/wcc_amman_res_2_37.pdf [15]: #xref-ref-7-1 View reference 7 in text [16]: http://www.cepal.org/en/escazuagreement

The IUCN-SSC Cave Invertebrate Specialist Group

The Cave Invertebrate Specialist Group, an IUCN Species Survival Commission, is a group of 80 taxonomists, biospeleologists, ecologists, and conservation biologists. Since 2014, our objectives have been to: (1) conserve subterranean habitats, and address one of the largest lacunas in conservation biology – the protection of sensitive cave and subterranean invertebrate populations; (2) conduct IUCN Red List evaluations for imperiled and/or narrow range endemic species; (3) encourage comprehensive baseline biodiversity surveys, in particular to determine the proportion of unknown biodiversity yet to be discovered; and, (4) provide collaborative opportunities with the business sector for conducting Environmental and Social Impact Assessments, Biodiversity Action Plans, and site and species management plans. We will our accomplishments over the past four years including growth of membership, the number of Red List evaluations conducted and the total number of species recognized as a conservation priority.

Editorial

Five years ago, I was asked by Professor Fred Kayanja to take up a second term as editor of the African Journal of Ecology to help oversee some changes in the journal. For 45 years, AJE has been an important journal for the African ecological community and is one of the few international scientific journals that has a high degree of African authorship. Pressure of work means that I must now step down again and hand over the reins to Kate Abernethy as the new Editor-in-Chief with Bryan Shorrocks as Deputy Editor-in-Chief. Kate has a long association with the African Journal of Ecology as an author, member of the international reviewer panel, member of the editorial board and associate editor. She brings a wealth of interdisciplinary ecological expertise from her fieldwork in Gabon, where she was Director of the Station d'Etudes des Gorilles et Chimpanzés (SEGC) in Lopé National Park from 2000 to 2007. Kate is currently a Senior Research Fellow at the University of Stirling, a member of the IUCN Species Survival Commission and an Associate Researcher for the National Centre for Research in Science and Technology in Gabon (CENAREST). Kate's appointment reflects the continental scope of AJE and its commitment to publishing a wide range of ecological research. Over the past few months, Kate has been working with the journal editorial office to smooth the editorial workflow and improve turnround time for papers. In this task, she is very ably assisted by Bryan Shorrocks, who also has a long association with both the journal and the East African Wildlife Society as the Society's UK representative and as a Trustee on the East African Wildlife Trust, a charitable organization that has given money to the EAWLS in the past. Bryan brings a great deal of editorial experience. He was a senior editor for the prestigious Journal of Animal Ecology for nearly 10 years and served the AJE, together with Fred Kayanja, as the international editor. Bryan is a very distinguished African ecologist, having studied large mammals for many years, especially giraffe, and is the author of the book “The Biology of African Savannahs.” Academic publishing is in a dynamic phase, and the editorial team will continue to work in close partnership with the EAWLS and the publisher Wiley to guide the journal to every greater success.

IUCN Guidelines for Determining When and How Ex Situ Management Should Be Used in Species Conservation

AbstractThe Convention on Biological Diversity's target of halting extinctions by 2020 is less than a handful of years away. Captive, or ex situ, management has long been cited as having a potential role to play in the recovery of species, although this remains the subject of debate. IUCN's Species Survival Commission (IUCN SSC) produced guidelines to assist in identifying when ex situ management may contribute to species recovery in 2002. Since then, there have been considerable developments in a range of areas that may influence the design of such programs (e.g., understanding of constraints on breeding programs, development of new techniques and approaches, and strategic planning approaches to species conservation). IUCN SSC has therefore revised its guidance and proposes a five‐step process: (1) compile a status review; (2) define the role(s) that ex situ management might play; (3) determine the precise nature of the ex situ population in order to meet identified role(s); (4) define resources and expertise, and appraise the feasibility and risks; and (5) make a decision that is informed based on the above analysis and transparent. These guidelines offer an objective process for considering the role of ex situ management in species conservation.

Proceedings of the 14th meeting of the Goose Specialist Group of the IUCN Species Survival Commission and Wetlands International

Proceedings of the 14th meeting of the Goose Specialist Group of the IUCN Species Survival Commission and Wetlands International

Current status and distribution of the Vulnerable common hippopotamus Hippopotamus amphibius in Mozambique

AbstractPopulations of the common hippopotamus Hippopotamus amphibius in Mozambique were surveyed in 2010 during a national survey of the crocodile Crocodylus niloticus. Numbers of hippos seen during aerial counts along major rivers and lake shores were corrected to allow for undercounting of groups and these data were supplemented with the results of other recent surveys. There are now estimated to be c. 3,000 hippos in Mozambique and c. 50% of these live in Lake Cabora Bassa or the Zambezi River. The national total is much lower than the figure of 16,000–20,500 hippos estimated in 1986, used for the latest (v. 2012.1) IUCN Red List. The 1986 total included an estimated 10,000–12,000 in Marromeu Complex, an area that includes the southern Zambezi delta. We review the results of past surveys and find that the number of hippos in Marromeu Complex in 1986 was probably three times fewer than estimated. Although the number of hippos in this area declined markedly during the 1980s we believe that the 1986 overestimate of hippos in Marromeu Complex is an error that has been perpetuated for 25 years. Particular care should be taken when Red List assessments roll-over old and unsupported estimates of numbers. Even if an old estimate was accurate there comes a time when it should not simply be rolled-over. The 2007 IUCN Species Survival Commission's African Elephant Status Report provides a model for future assessments of the status of the common hippopotamus, categorizing the numbers of a species according to the type of survey, its reliability, and how long ago it was conducted.

Assisted Colonization: Move Ahead with Models

Moving species outside their natural ranges has long been recognized as risky (“Home, home outside the range?”, R. Stone, News Focus, 24 September, p. [1592][1]). Current accepted procedure allows for translocations outside the historic range only reactively—when there is no suitable habitat left in that range ([ 1 ][2]). For example, flightless birds such as kakapo and takahe have been introduced to offshore islands because exotic mammalian predators had rendered them unable to persist on the New Zealand mainland. Soon, we may have to move species proactively as a means to save them from anticipated shifts in habitat due to climate change. Proactive assisted colonization is understandably contentious. The best way forward involves careful modeling and collaboration. There are many cautionary experiences from invasive species and biological control releases ([ 2 ][3]). However, tools such as structured decision-making enable us to make decisions in the face of uncertainty about ecological roles and relationships that we will have least cause to regret. We can construct models around the fate of species if we leave them to face climate change either by adapting, by moving, or by dying out. We can explore a deliberately moved species' prospects of (i) dying out at its human-selected destination, (ii) establishing and becoming a pest, or (iii) settling down within desired population limits. The test case in the News story of the two butterflies in the United Kingdom ([ 3 ][4]) is an example of the low-risk and potentially reversible type of experiment that we should be starting now. With assisted migration recognized as one means to reduce the impacts of climate change on biodiversity ([ 4 ][5]), we need international guidelines on the conditions under which it may be an acceptable solution. Consequently, the IUCN Species Survival Commission has established a task force from within its Re-introduction and Invasive Species Specialist Groups to review and update its 1998 guidelines to explicitly accommodate these issues surrounding assisted colonization. The task force will report to the World Conservation Congress in 2012. 1. [↵][6]IUCN/SSC Re-introduction Specialist Group, “Guidelines for re-introductions” (IUCN, Gland, Switzerland, 1998). 2. [↵][7]1. A. Ricciardi, 2. D. Simberloff , Trends Ecol. Evol. 24, 248 (2009). [OpenUrl][8][CrossRef][9][PubMed][10][Web of Science][11] 3. [↵][12]1. S. G. Willis 2. et al ., Conserv. Lett. 2, 45 (2009). [OpenUrl][13] 4. [↵][14]CBD, Conference of the Parties, “Biodiversity and climate change” (UNEP/CBD/COP/10/L.36, 2010). [1]: pending:yes [2]: #ref-1 [3]: #ref-2 [4]: #ref-3 [5]: #ref-4 [6]: #xref-ref-1-1 View reference 1 in text [7]: #xref-ref-2-1 View reference 2 in text [8]: {openurl}?query=rft.jtitle%253DTrends%2Bin%2BEcology%2B%2526%2BEvolution%26rft.stitle%253DTrends%2Bin%2BEcology%2B%2526%2BEvolution%26rft.aulast%253DRicciardi%26rft.auinit1%253DA.%26rft.volume%253D24%26rft.issue%253D5%26rft.spage%253D248%26rft.epage%253D253%26rft.atitle%253DAssisted%2Bcolonization%2Bis%2Bnot%2Ba%2Bviable%2Bconservation%2Bstrategy.%26rft_id%253Dinfo%253Adoi%252F10.1016%252Fj.tree.2008.12.006%26rft_id%253Dinfo%253Apmid%252F19324453%26rft.genre%253Darticle%26rft_val_fmt%253Dinfo%253Aofi%252Ffmt%253Akev%253Amtx%253Ajournal%26ctx_ver%253DZ39.88-2004%26url_ver%253DZ39.88-2004%26url_ctx_fmt%253Dinfo%253Aofi%252Ffmt%253Akev%253Amtx%253Actx [9]: /lookup/external-ref?access_num=10.1016/j.tree.2008.12.006&link_type=DOI [10]: /lookup/external-ref?access_num=19324453&link_type=MED&atom=%2Fsci%2F330%2F6009%2F1317.1.atom [11]: /lookup/external-ref?access_num=000266188100005&link_type=ISI [12]: #xref-ref-3-1 View reference 3 in text [13]: {openurl}?query=rft.jtitle%253DConserv.%2BLett.%26rft.volume%253D2%26rft.spage%253D45%26rft.genre%253Darticle%26rft_val_fmt%253Dinfo%253Aofi%252Ffmt%253Akev%253Amtx%253Ajournal%26ctx_ver%253DZ39.88-2004%26url_ver%253DZ39.88-2004%26url_ctx_fmt%253Dinfo%253Aofi%252Ffmt%253Akev%253Amtx%253Actx [14]: #xref-ref-4-1 View reference 4 in text

Red List reveals conservation pay-offs

Summary Efforts to protect species are paying off amid otherwise widespread declines. Nigel Williams reports

Threat Status and Distribution of the Earthworm Genus Helodrilus Hoffmeister, 1845; Sensu Zicsi 1985, on the Balkans and the Neighboring Regions

To assess the conservation status of the Balkans earthworm species from genus Helodrilus and to establish priorities for conservation, we propose an objective and sensitive separate analysis based on the Conservation Priority Index (CPI). Validity of the threatened species in our ranking system was tested by comparing the results with the IUCN (2001) Red List Categories and Criteria: version 3.1. IUCN Species Survival Commission. IUCN, Gland Switzerland and Cambridge, UK. Species were ranked according to their CPI taking into consideration a set of 9 variables (distribution, endemicity, vegetation zones, persistence, density rarity, rarity of occupancy, locality concentration, habitat specificity and habitat rarity). Each of variables was categorized into five ranks (0–4) of increasing risk for survival. The overall score (CPI index) for each species was the sum of all scores for each variable. The index can take values ranging from 0 to 36. We classified threatened species (CPI≥17) in three IUCN (2001) categories. Vulnerable, Endangered and Critically Endangered. All species that had proved to be the VU, EN or CR category according to IUCN (2001) also had a CPI value high enough to be included in some of the categories discussed above (CPI≥17). Our expertise shows that the species which need urgent action are: H. mozsaryorum (CR or EX), H kratochvili (CR), H. deficiens (EN) and H. balcanicus plavensis (EN). H. dinaricus, H. ospensis, H. serbicus, H. jadronensis, H. duhlinskae, H. vagneri, H. slovenicus and H. italicus were known only from the type locality, so we included these species only in suspect CR.

An overview of the conservation status of and threats to rhinoceros species in the wild

This paper summarizes the recent status of rhinoceros species, as provided by IUCN Species Survival Commission's Rhinoceros Specialist Groups, and describes some of the current conservation measures. At the time of writing there are c. 14 950 rhinoceros remaining in Africa and c. 2850 in Asia. During the last decade conservation initiatives have achieved notable successes; however, numbers of some species and subspecies have declined over this period and three subspecies are close to extinction. The illegal demand for rhinoceros horn and the subsequent poaching this generates continue to pose a serious threat to rhinoceros populations worldwide. However, experience indicates that where anti‐poaching efforts are concentrated above minimum threshold levels population losses as a result of poaching can be reduced to a low and sustainable level. However, not all populations receive sufficient protection and declining budgets of range‐state governments for field conservation are a major cause for concern. The role of donor support is, therefore, becoming increasingly important. For some subspecies lack of adequate habitat protection rather than lack of suitable habitat is a major constraint for population expansion and growth. Many rhinoceros populations in Africa are managed as part of bigger meta‐populations. However, sub‐optimal biological management is also reducing population growth rates in a number of populations.

Conservation Partnerships in the Commons? Sharing data and information, experience and knowledge, as the essence of partnerships

Tom Moritz began his professional career in 1975 at the National Natural Resources Library of the U.S. Department of the Interior in Washington, DC. He is a member of the IUCN Species Survival Commission and currently serves on the National Visiting Committee for the core integration system, U.S. National Science Digital Library and is a member of the National Science Committee for ITIS (the Integrated Taxonomic Information System). He has actively participated in BCIS (the Biodiversity Conservation Information System), an international consortium of international and non-governmental organizations focused on the management and dissemination of biodiversity information. He is currently Boeschenstein Director of Library Services at the American Museum of Natural History.