Using evidence of decline and extinction risk to identify priority regions, habitats and threats for plant conservation in Australia

2018 ◽  
Vol 66 (7) ◽  
pp. 541 ◽  
Author(s):  
J. L. Silcock ◽  
R. J. Fensham
Keyword(s):  
At Risk ◽  
Threatened Species ◽  
Extinction Risk ◽  
Plant Conservation ◽  
State Legislation ◽  
Risk Of Extinction ◽  
The Status ◽  
Species Lists ◽  
Key Issues ◽  
Efficient Recovery

Threatened species lists are used at global, national and regional scales to identify species at risk of extinction. Many species are listed due to restricted population size or geographic distribution, and decline is often inferred rather than quantified. Vascular plants comprise over 70% of nationally listed threatened species, but there is an incomplete picture of which species are most at risk of extinction, where these occur and the factors behind their declines. We compiled published information and the best available field knowledge including 125 expert interviews to identify declining and at risk species. The candidate list comprised 1135 taxa, which were mostly listed as Critically Endangered or Endangered under Federal and/or State legislation, but included 80 that are currently unlisted but considered to be highly threatened. In total, 418 taxa were assessed as having a documented, suspected or projected continuing decline. These were ranked based on extinction risk and magnitude of continuing decline, which suggest that 296 are at risk of extinction under current management regimes, including 55 at high risk of extinction. Declining and imperilled taxa are concentrated in a relatively small number of regions and habitats, and six threatening processes are driving the majority of declines. Field surveys and robust, repeatable monitoring are required to better inform population trends and extinction risk, as well as inform the status of almost 200 taxa that are potentially imperilled but poorly known. Identification of declining taxa can identify key issues for flora conservation across a continent, and allow for targeted and efficient recovery efforts.

Assessing rarity and threat in an arid-zone flora

2011 ◽  
Vol 59 (4) ◽  
pp. 336 ◽  
Author(s):  
J. L. Silcock ◽  
R. J. Fensham ◽  
T. G. Martin
Keyword(s):  
Threatened Species ◽  
Arid Zone ◽  
Extinction Risk ◽  
Plant Conservation ◽  
Life Forms ◽  
Plant Biology ◽  
The Status ◽  
Narrow Endemics ◽  
Threatening Processes ◽  
Current List

An understanding of rarity and how it relates to extinction risk is a central concern of conservation biology. Classic conceptions of rarity revolve around spatial rarity, based on distribution and abundance, rather than temporal rarity, where species may be common following certain conditions but rare for most of the time. This form of rarity is likely to be especially prevalent in highly variable arid systems. Rarity in the arid zone is also characterised by poorly understood threats, such as grazing, and may also reflect low collection effort given the vast and inaccessible areas involved. This study explores rarity and threat in the arid zone, based on the flora of a large region of western Queensland. The status of all species known to occur in the study area was systematically assessed, and the current list of threatened species was examined for bias in forms of rarity, life forms and habitats. Five threat syndromes were identified, arising from the interaction of plant biology and threatening processes. Over 60 potentially threatened species have been overlooked in the listing process. The list is dominated by narrow endemics from residual and spring habitats and the species from springs at least are genuinely threatened. Widespread but sparsely occurring species are under-represented in the current list, as are grasses. With the exception of spring-dependent species, plant conservation in western Queensland is currently constrained by lack of basic data on distribution, abundance, population dynamics and realistic threat syndromes for nearly all species. Separating the influence of genuine rarity, temporal rarity and low collection effort, as well as a more detailed understanding of threatening processes are needed to address plant conservation in the arid zone.

scholarly journals Extinct flagships: linking extinct and threatened species

Oryx ◽  
2016 ◽  
Vol 51 (3) ◽  
pp. 471-476 ◽  
Author(s):  
Peter M. Kyne ◽  
Vanessa M. Adams
Keyword(s):  
At Risk ◽  
Threatened Species ◽  
Extinct Species ◽  
The Public ◽  
Raphus Cucullatus ◽  
Extant Species ◽  
Risk Of Extinction ◽  
The Status ◽  
Species Groups ◽  
Conservation Marketing

AbstractDespite much effort to promote the conservation and recovery of threatened species, the extent of the current list of threatened vertebrates (> 7,600 species) underscores the need to develop novel communication and marketing tools to raise awareness and funding for their conservation. Although flagship species have been widely used in conservation marketing, the flagship role of extinct species has been largely overlooked and the status of lost species is rarely associated with the status of extant species facing a high risk of extinction. Some extinct species (e.g. the dodo Raphus cucullatus and the thylacine Thylacinus cynocephalus) are cultural and commercial icons and therefore familiar, and may appeal to the public as conservation flagships. We propose a wider use of extinct flagships to raise awareness for the conservation of threatened species by making a direct link between already extinct species and extant species at risk of extinction. We present examples of publicly recognized and iconic extinct species that could be used in marketing for the conservation of threatened species. These extinct species are familiar and may be readily linked to threatened species or species groups. We outline a roadmap for testing their appeal under the extinct flagship concept, through market research. If research identifies that a cognitive link is made between the fate of an extinct species (i.e. they went extinct from human causes) and what may happen to threatened species (i.e. they are at risk of extinction from human causes), extinct species may well have a wider role to play as conservation flagships.

scholarly journals Introduction to Conservation Genetics

2001 ◽  
Vol 7 (3) ◽  
pp. 217
Author(s):  
Leong Lim
Keyword(s):  
At Risk ◽  
Conservation Genetics ◽  
Threatened Species ◽  
Local Population ◽  
Risk Of Extinction

WITH regards to threatened species, section SA (a) reads: "Whether ... a viable local population of the species is likely to be placed at risk of extinction."

scholarly journals Functional diversity of marine megafauna in the Anthropocene

2020 ◽  
Vol 6 (16) ◽  
pp. eaay7650 ◽  
Author(s):  
C. Pimiento ◽  
F. Leprieur ◽  
D. Silvestro ◽  
J. S. Lefcheck ◽  
C. Albouy ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
At Risk ◽  
Functional Diversity ◽  
Threatened Species ◽  
Ecosystem Functioning ◽  
Ecosystem Functions ◽  
Functional Richness ◽  
Risk Of Extinction ◽  
If Current ◽  
Marine Megafauna

Marine megafauna, the largest animals in the oceans, serve key roles in ecosystem functioning. Yet, one-third of these animals are at risk of extinction. To better understand the potential consequences of megafaunal loss, here we quantify their current functional diversity, predict future changes under different extinction scenarios, and introduce a new metric [functionally unique, specialized and endangered (FUSE)] that identifies threatened species of particular importance for functional diversity. Simulated extinction scenarios forecast marked declines in functional richness if current trajectories are maintained during the next century (11% globally; up to 24% regionally), with more marked reductions (48% globally; up to 70% at the poles) beyond random expectations if all threatened species eventually go extinct. Among the megafaunal groups, sharks will incur a disproportionate loss of functional richness. We identify top FUSE species and suggest a renewed focus on these species to preserve the ecosystem functions provided by marine megafauna.

scholarly journals A National assessment of aichi biodiversity target 12 – an international conservation initiative

2019 ◽  
Vol 4 (5) ◽  
Author(s):  
Kirandeep K Dhami
Keyword(s):  
Threatened Species ◽  
Biological Diversity ◽  
Extinction Risk ◽  
Conservation Status ◽  
Population Decline ◽  
National Assessment ◽  
The Status ◽  
Aichi Biodiversity Targets ◽  
Conservation Plans ◽  
Taking Action

The Aichi Biodiversity targets are a set of twenty targets for the Convention of Biological Diversity (CBD) that were developed with the intention to help each participating country to measure the progress made in preventing the loss of biological diversity. These targets provide a 10-year period for taking action by the countries. These targets setup in 2010 are expected to be achieved within 2020 by all the 193 countries signatory to CBD. Aichi Biodiversity Target 12 is considered to be one of the most important targets, which is directly or indirectly linked to all of the other 19 CBD Targets. Aichi-12 sets up the goal for each country to prevent the extinction of known threatened species and improve the conservation status of those species that are on decline. This target calls for establishment of conservation plans for species that face a high risk to extinction. Hence, it is of urgent need to understand the extinction risk posed to each of the threatened species in the country and the factors that are responsible for the population decline in species. Therefore, it is important for taking initiatives to remove/reduce those factors posing risk to the survival of species. This study presents a brief overview of the status and progress made by India towards achievement of Aichi-12.

scholarly journals The Importance of Assessing Climate Change Vulnerability to Address Species Conservation

2014 ◽  
Vol 5 (2) ◽  
pp. 450-462 ◽  
Author(s):  
Karen E. Bagne ◽  
Megan M. Friggens ◽  
Sharon J. Coe ◽  
Deborah M. Finch
Keyword(s):  
Climate Change ◽  
At Risk ◽  
Extinction Risk ◽  
Species Conservation ◽  
Biodiversity Loss ◽  
Small Subset ◽  
Species At Risk ◽  
Terrestrial Vertebrates ◽  
Climate Change Vulnerability ◽  
Risk Of Extinction

Abstract Species conservation often prioritizes attention on a small subset of “special status” species at high risk of extinction, but actions based on current lists of special status species may not effectively moderate biodiversity loss if climate change alters threats. Assessments of climate change vulnerability may provide a method to enhance identification of species at risk of extinction. We compared climate change vulnerability and lists of special status species to examine the adequacy of current lists to represent species at risk of extinction in the coming decades. The comparison was made for terrestrial vertebrates in a regionally important management area of the southwestern United States. Many species not listed as special status were vulnerable to increased extinction risk with climate change. Overall, 74% of vulnerable species were not included in lists of special status and omissions were greatest for birds and reptiles. Most special status species were identified as additionally vulnerable to climate change impacts and there was little evidence to indicate the outlook for these species might improve with climate change, which suggests that existing conservation efforts will need to be intensified. Current special status lists encompassed climate change vulnerability best if climate change was expected to exacerbate current threats, such as the loss of wetlands, but often overlooked climate-driven threats, such as exceeding physiological thresholds.

The state of African cattle genetic resources I. Classification framework and identification of threatened and extinct breeds

1999 ◽  
Vol 25 ◽  
pp. 1-25 ◽  
Author(s):  
J.E.O. Rege
Keyword(s):  
At Risk ◽  
Genetic Resources ◽  
Extinction Risk ◽  
Bos Indicus ◽  
Sub Saharan Africa ◽  
Cattle Breeds ◽  
African Cattle ◽  
Risk Of Extinction ◽  
Sub Saharan ◽  
Rare Category

SummaryA field and literature survey was conducted to determine the status of cattle genetic resources of sub-Saharan Africa and to identify cattle breeds at risk and those which may have become extinct over the last century. This paper - in two parts - summarises preliminary results of the survey. The survey revealed that sub-Saharan Africa is home to a total of 145 cattle breeds/strains comprising two taurine Longhorns, 15 taurine Shorthorns, 75 zebu (Bos indicus), 30 sanga, eight zenga (zebu-sanga), nine breeds derived from interbreeding of indigenous breeds/strains located in close proximity to each other, and six systematically created composite breeds. Out of the 145 breeds identified from the survey, 47 (about 32%) were considered to be at risk of extinction. Risk categories used were: Critical (most severe), Endangered, Vulnerable, and Rare (least severe). Of the breeds identified to be at risk of extinction, six were in the “Rare”category, 10 were “Vulnerable” another 10 were “Endangered”and 15 were in the “Critical”category. A total of 22 breeds (about 13%) previously recognised in the continent have become extinct in the last century. This number excludes some populations which have lost their individual identity due to admixtures involving two or more originally distinct breeds.

scholarly journals How Threatened Is Scincella huanrenensis? An Update on Threats and Trends

Conservation ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 1 (1) ◽  
pp. 58-72
Author(s):  
Yucheol Shin ◽  
Kevin R. Messenger ◽  
Kyo Soung Koo ◽  
Sang Cheol Lee ◽  
Mian Hou ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Threatened Species ◽  
Extinction Risk ◽  
High Elevation ◽  
Global Scale ◽  
Iucn Red List ◽  
Red List ◽  
Republic Of China ◽  
The Status ◽  
Conservation Actions ◽  
Dynamics Of Population

It is important to understand the dynamics of population size to accurately assess threats and implement conservation activities when required. However, inaccurate estimates are harming both the threat estimation process, and the resulting conservation actions. Here, we address the extinction threats to Scincella huanrenensis, a species described in the People’s Republic of China, but also occurring on the Korean peninsula. Estimating the threats to the species is not an easy task due to its unknown population status in the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea. Here we analysed the literature to acquire the known presence point for the species, along with datapoints originating from opportunistic field surveys, and employed habitat suitability models to estimate the range of the species. We then followed the categories and criteria of the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species to assess the extinction risk of the species. We found the species not to be fitting the threatened category at the global scale based on the range size, the only category for which enough data was available. We recommend the status of the species on the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species to be updated as it is now listed as critically endangered (CR), a listing fitting a national assessment for the People’s Republic (PR) of China. While this species is possibly less threatened than currently listed, this is not a genuine improvement, and specific conservation aspects should not be neglected due to its specialisation to medium to high elevation habitat.

Conservation priorities, necessity in the tarai region of Kumaun, Uttarakhand

2015 ◽  
Vol 38 (2) ◽  
pp. 129-133
Author(s):  
Anjali Mathur ◽  
Hema Joshi
Keyword(s):  
At Risk ◽  
Plant Species ◽  
Threatened Species ◽  
Animal Species ◽  
Conservation Priorities ◽  
Risk Of Extinction ◽  
Urgent Necessity

A threatened species is any plant or animal species that is at risk of extinction. The present study was conducted in tarai region of Kumaun, Uttarakhand between the years 2008 to 2011 in three different sites and eight communities. During the study it was found that 28 plant species belonged of threatened categories. The present study concluded that, conservation is urgent necessity in this area.

scholarly journals Brazilian Botanic Gardens

2017 ◽  
pp. 97-117
Author(s):  
Maria Lucia M.N Da Costa ◽  
Mike Maunder ◽  
Tania S. Pereira ◽  
Ariane L. Peixoto
Keyword(s):  
Habitat Loss ◽  
Threatened Species ◽  
Conservation Status ◽  
Plant Conservation ◽  
Red List ◽  
Ex Situ ◽  
Botanic Gardens ◽  
The Status ◽  
Ex Situ Collections ◽  
Technical Capacity

We argue that botanic gardens, as plant conservation focused institutions, have been tested in temperate regions that possess a relatively robust conservation infrastructure and a relatively low number of threatened species. The ability of the Brazilian botanic gardens to support plant conservation is especially challenging, given their small number relative to Brazil’s plant diversity and the increasing rate of habitat loss and plant endangerment. This study, the first for Brazil, assesses the conservation capacity of Brazilian botanic gardens. An assessment is made of the status of conservation facilities in Brazilian botanic gardens and the conservation status of their plant collections.This was based on a survey sent to thirty-six Brazilian botanic gardens in 2011– 2013 using information from the 2008 Brazilian Red List, and seven state conservation lists. The results identified a small percentage of threatened species (n =102/21 per cent) in ex situ collections of 22 botanic gardens and less than 10 per cent representation for each state red list. An assessment based on the updated Brazilian Red List (2014) showed that 425 threatened species were maintained in living collections of 18 botanic gardens. Despite the extensive size of some collections, the proportion of threatened species in the collections was found to be very low. Improvement in infrastructure, technical capacity, including horticultural skills, and development of policies and protocols will benecessary to increase the effectiveness of the collections for conservation aims.

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