scholarly journals What is the Best Available Science?: Conservation Status of Two California Desert Vertebrates

2018 ◽  
Author(s):  
Adam G. Clause ◽  
Christopher J. Norment ◽  
Laura Cunningham ◽  
Kevin Emmerich ◽  
Nicholas G. Buckmaster ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Flash Flood ◽  
Conservation Status ◽  
Scientific Progress ◽  
Flood Damage ◽  
Iucn Red List ◽  
Population Declines ◽  
Technical Literature ◽  
Management Actions ◽  
Use Context ◽  
Status Assessment

AbstractScientific progress depends on evidence-based research, and reliance on accurate scholarship is essential when making management decisions for imperiled species. However, erroneous claims are sometimes perpetuated in the scientific and technical literature, which can complicate policy and regulatory judgments. The literature associated with two enigmatic California desert vertebrates, the Panamint alligator lizardElgaria panamintinaand the Inyo Mountains salamanderBatrachoseps campi, exemplifies this problem. We produced a comprehensive threat analysis and status assessment for these species, which are both under review for possible listing under the US Endangered Species Act (ESA). Despite uncertainties and limited data, we find that many sources contain factual errors about the status of these two species, particularly the original petition that advocated for ESA listing. Although localized declines may have gone undetected, no evidence exists of population declines, population extirpation, or population-scale habitat conversion forE. panamintina. However, there is evidence of recent flash flood damage to some occupiedB. campihabitat, which has possibly led to population declines at those localities. Contrary to inaccurate statements by some authors, all known populations of both species occur exclusively on federal lands, and numerous populations have likely benefited from recent federal management targeted at reducing known threats. Of the 12 threats that we identified for one or both species, only three currently appear to be serious: water diversions, climate change, and flash floods. The remaining threats are neither widespread nor severe, despite numerous contrary yet poorly supported statements in the literature. We thus evaluate the contemporary conservation status of both species as relatively secure, althoughB. campiis more at-risk compared toE. panamintina. This conclusion is independently supported by a recent review. Nonetheless, ongoing stewardship of these species in a multi-use context by federal agencies remains vital, and we identify several priority management actions and research needs for both species. We also recommend updated determinations on the IUCN Red List, and the Species of Conservation Concern list of the Inyo National Forest. To maximize the quality and effectiveness of conservation planning, we urge government agencies, non-governmental organizations, and individual scientists to maintain high standards of scholarship and decision-making.

scholarly journals Global and Regional IUCN Red List Assessments: 6

2018 ◽  
Vol 6 ◽  
pp. 31-44 ◽  
Author(s):  
Giuseppe Fenu ◽  
Mohamed Abdelaal ◽  
Gianluigi Bacchetta ◽  
Luciano Bongiorni ◽  
Annalena Cogoni ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Vascular Plants ◽  
Conservation Status ◽  
Iucn Red List ◽  
Red List ◽  
Global Level ◽  
Regional Assessment ◽  
Iucn Categories ◽  
Status Assessment

In this contribution, the conservation status assessment of four vascular plants according to IUCN categories and criteria are presented. It includes the assessment ofEpipactismaricae(Croce, Bongiorni, De Vivo & Fori) Presser & S.Hertel at global level, and the regional assessment ofCerintheretortaSm. (Italy), PlatantherakuenkeleiH.Baumannsubsp.kuenkelei (Europe) andTyphaelephantinaRoxb. (Egypt).

scholarly journals Strengthening the Scientific Basis of Ecosystem Collapse Risk Assessments

Land ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 10 (11) ◽  
pp. 1252
Author(s):  
Adrian C. Newton
Keyword(s):  
Early Stage ◽  
Conservation Status ◽  
Scientific Basis ◽  
Iucn Red List ◽  
Scientific Understanding ◽  
Risk Assessments ◽  
Policy And Practice ◽  
Status Assessment ◽  
Conservation Assessments ◽  
Ecosystem Collapse

Progress is being made in assessing the conservation status of ecosystems, notably through initiatives such as the IUCN Red List of Ecosystems (RLE) and the NatureServe Conservation Status Assessment (NCS). Both of these approaches consider conservation status in terms of the risk of ecosystem collapse. However, the scientific understanding of ecosystem collapse is still at a relatively early stage. Consequently, concerns have been raised regarding the scientific basis of ecosystem conservation assessments focusing on collapse risk. Here I explore how these concerns might potentially be addressed by considering how the concept is defined, and by briefly reviewing the theoretical basis of ecosystem collapse. I then examine the implications of recent research results for the design of ecosystem collapse risk assessments, and the challenges identified in those assessments conducted to date. Recommendations are made regarding how collapse risk assessments might be strengthened based on current scientific understanding, and how this understanding could be improved by further research. In addition, I examine the potential implications for conservation policy and practice if the scientific basis of collapse risk assessments is not strengthened in this way.

scholarly journals Anthropogenic influences on the distribution of a Vulnerable coniferous forest specialist: habitat selection by the Siberian musk deerMoschus moschiferus

Oryx ◽  
2017 ◽  
Vol 53 (1) ◽  
pp. 174-180 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jonathan C. Slaght ◽  
Brian Milakovsky ◽  
Dariya A. Maksimova ◽  
Ivan V. Seryodkin ◽  
Vitaliy A. Zaitsev ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Coniferous Forest ◽  
Negative Influence ◽  
Iucn Red List ◽  
Musk Deer ◽  
Population Declines ◽  
Primorskii Krai ◽  
Illegal Hunting ◽  
Management Actions ◽  
High Conservation ◽  
Logging Roads

AbstractThe Siberian musk deerMoschus moschiferus, categorized as Vulnerable on the IUCN Red List, is a small ungulate associated with coniferous forests of East Asia. In Russia the species is hunted both legally and illegally for the commercially valuable musk gland in males. Steep population declines recorded in recent decades have been generally attributed to intensive illegal hunting, but the decline has coincided with increased logging activity and the concomitant expansion of logging roads. We conducted an occupancy analysis in Primorskii Krai, Russia, to elucidate the relative importance of environmental, ecological and anthropogenic features associated with the presence of musk deer. The top model contained covariates related to the abundance of bearded lichenUsneaspp., the distance to a main road and the distance to logging sites, suggesting that both intensive hunting of musk deer (associated with greater accessibility via roads) and logging of habitat are influencing the occurrence of this species. We propose several management actions to limit the negative influence of logging and logging roads on musk deer in Russia, including encouraging logging companies to set aside high conservation value forests (to retain intact forests) and to close logging roads post-harvest (to reduce access by poachers).

scholarly journals The conservation status and population decline of the African penguin deconstructed in space and time

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Richard B. Sherley ◽  
Robert J. M. Crawford ◽  
Andrew D. de Blocq ◽  
Bruce M. Dyer ◽  
Deon Geldenhuys ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
South African ◽  
Conservation Status ◽  
Population Decline ◽  
Iucn Red List ◽  
Population Declines ◽  
Posterior Density ◽  
Conservation Action ◽  
Space And Time ◽  
African Penguin ◽  
Highest Posterior Density

AbstractUnderstanding changes in abundance is crucial for conservation, but population growth rates often vary over space and time. We use 40 years of count data (1979–2019) and Bayesian state-space models to assess the African penguin Spheniscus demersus population under IUCN Red List Criterion A. We deconstruct the overall decline in time and space to identify where urgent conservation action is needed. The global African penguin population met the threshold for Endangered with a high probability (97%), having declined by almost 65% since 1989. An historical low of ~17,900 pairs bred in 2019. Annual declines were faster in the South African population (−4.2%, highest posterior density interval, HPDI: −7.8 to −0.6%) than the Namibian one (−0.3%, HPDI: −3.3 to +2.6%), and since 1999 were almost 10% at South African colonies north of Cape Town. Over the 40-year period, the Eastern Cape colonies went from holding ~25% of the total penguin population to ~40% as numbers decreased more rapidly elsewhere. These changes coincided with an altered abundance and availability of the main prey of African penguins. Our results underline the dynamic nature of population declines in space as well as time and highlight which penguin colonies require urgent conservation attention.

scholarly journals Global and regional IUCN red list assessments: 12

2021 ◽  
Vol 12 ◽  
pp. 77-84
Author(s):  
Giuseppe Fenu ◽  
Thomas Abeli ◽  
Gianluigi Bacchetta ◽  
Donatella Cogoni ◽  
Martina D’Agostino ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Vascular Plants ◽  
Conservation Status ◽  
Iucn Red List ◽  
Red List ◽  
Global Level ◽  
Iucn Categories ◽  
Status Assessment

In this contribution, the conservation status assessment of two vascular plants according to IUCN categories and criteria are presented. It includes the assessment of Genista nuragica Bacch., Brullo & Giusso and Jacobaea incana (L.) Veldkamp at global level.

scholarly journals Global and regional IUCN Red List assessments: 7

2019 ◽  
Vol 7 ◽  
pp. 107-124 ◽  
Author(s):  
Simone Orsenigo ◽  
Michele Adorni ◽  
Alessandro Alessandrini ◽  
Stefano Armiraglio ◽  
Miris Castello ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Vascular Plants ◽  
Conservation Status ◽  
Iucn Red List ◽  
Red List ◽  
Regional Level ◽  
Iucn Categories ◽  
Status Assessment

In this contribution, the conservation status assessment of four vascular plants according to IUCN categories and criteria are presented. It includes the assessments of Aurinialeucadea (Guss.) K.Koch, Chondrillachondrilloides (Ard.) H.Karst., Daphnecneorum L., and Ophioglossumazoricum C.Presl at regional level (Italy).

scholarly journals The Chestnut-banded Plover is an overlooked globally Near Threatened Species

2007 ◽  
Vol 17 (3) ◽  
pp. 283-293 ◽  
Author(s):  
Rob Simmons ◽  
Neil Baker ◽  
Rod Braby ◽  
Tim Dodman ◽  
Oliver Nasirwa ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
East Africa ◽  
Conservation Status ◽  
Iucn Red List ◽  
World Population ◽  
Population Declines ◽  
Water Abstraction ◽  
Arid Habitat ◽  
Suitable Habitats ◽  
Iucn Red List Criteria ◽  
Near Threatened

AbstractSpecies that show obvious population declines are relatively easy to categorize as globally threatened under IUCN Red List criteria. However, species whose populations are highly concentrated at a few inaccessible sites that are unprotected or habitat-threatened and then disperse are more difficult to pigeon-hole. Here we re-assess the conservation status of one such species – the Chestnut-banded Plover Charadrius pallidus – that occurs across Africa in specialized, inaccessible and arid habitat. Wetland bird counts from 1991 to the present allow us to determine a new world population estimate of about 17,830 birds. This allows us to determine a new 1% level and we identified only eight sites in southern and East Africa where these plovers congregate in numbers >1% when non-breeding. There are only five other sites that hold more than 100 birds, indicating that the species is not simply widely dispersed across suitable habitats. Simultaneous counts across southern and East Africa indicate that just three sites – Walvis Bay and Sandwich Harbour in Namibia and Lake Natron in Tanzania – can hold 87% of the world population during non-breeding periods. Since two of these sites are under threat from pollution, siltation and water abstraction, and the eight sites in total comprise just 30% of the area criteria set by IUCN, the bird meets one of the two qualifiers for globally Vulnerable status. Despite this, we cannot detect any long-term declines in population size, partly because of wide variations in population numbers over decadal time periods (itself an IUCN qualifier). It is clear that this bird should move from its present Least Concern status to Near Threatened and conservation measures be enacted at two of the top three sites – Walvis Bay and Lake Natron.

scholarly journals Conservation status assessment of the amphibians and reptiles of Uruguay

2010 ◽  
Vol 100 (1) ◽  
pp. 05-12 ◽  
Author(s):  
Andrés Canavero ◽  
Santiago Carreira ◽  
José A. Langone ◽  
Federico Achaval ◽  
Claudio Borteiro ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Native Species ◽  
Conservation Status ◽  
Iucn Red List ◽  
Critically Endangered ◽  
Amphibian Species ◽  
Status Assessment ◽  
Data Deficient ◽  
Iucn Red List Criteria ◽  
Definition Of ◽  
Near Threatened

The native species of amphibians and reptiles of Uruguay were categorized according to the IUCN Red List criteria. Out of 47 amphibian species, seven are listed as Critically Endangered (CR), five as Endangered (EN), one as Vulnerable (VU), three as Near Threatened (NT), and two as Data Deficient (DD); the remaining species are considered to be Least Concern (LC). Among the 64 species of reptiles evaluated, one is listed as Critically Endangered (CR), seven as Endangered (EN), two as Vulnerable (VU), one as Near Threatened (NT) and seven as Data Deficient (DD); the rest are considered to be Least Concern (LC). The use of these results as an additional criterion in the definition of protected areas in Uruguay will contribute towards the conservation of the aforementioned threatened species and their associated ecosystems.

scholarly journals Validation of Gastrochilus prionophyllus (Vandeae, Orchidaceae), a new species from Yunnan Province, China

PhytoKeys ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 130 ◽  
pp. 161-169
Author(s):  
Xun-Feng Wu ◽  
De-Ping Ye ◽  
Bo Pan ◽  
Xiang-Qun Lin ◽  
Hong Jiang ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
New Species ◽  
Yunnan Province ◽  
Conservation Status ◽  
Iucn Red List ◽  
Red List ◽  
Iucn Red List Categories ◽  
Status Assessment ◽  
Red List Categories ◽  
A New Species

Gastrochilus prionophyllus, which was previously not validly published, is here validated. The species is described along with illustration and photos. Morphologically, the long and pendulous stem and distichous leaves of this new species indicate that it belongs to the sect. Microphyllae. It is unique in having thick fleshy leaves and margin significantly serrate, small flowers, reniform epichile and margin with dentations, thickened cushion on the central epichile and subconic hypochile. Meanwhile, a preliminary conservation status assessment according to IUCN Red List categories and criteria is given to the new species.

scholarly journals Global and Regional IUCN Red List Assessments: 8

2019 ◽  
Vol 8 ◽  
pp. 17-33 ◽  
Author(s):  
Giuseppe Fenu ◽  
Liliana Bernardo ◽  
Roberta Calvo ◽  
Pierluigi Cortis ◽  
Antonio De Agostini ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Vascular Plants ◽  
Conservation Status ◽  
Iucn Red List ◽  
Red List ◽  
Global Level ◽  
Regional Assessment ◽  
Iucn Categories ◽  
Status Assessment

In this contribution, the conservation status assessment of four vascular plants according to IUCN categories and criteria are presented. It includes the assessment of Ophrys normanii J.J.Wood at global level, and the regional assessment of Genista anglica L., Helianthemum lippii (L.) Dum.Cours., and Scrophularia lucida L. (Italy).

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