IUCN Redlist
2008 Red List reveals the world's mammals are in trouble
The most comprehensive assessment of the world’s mammals has confirmed an extinction crisis, with almost one in four at risk of disappearing forever, according to The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species.
A media interview with Chris West and Jane Goodall about the most recent Red List can be heard here.
A Tasmanian devil born at Monarto as part of the mainland insurance population
Australia's mammals
Australia has the worst record in the world in regards to mammal extinctions with 21 species already extinct and another 11 species critically endangered and 20 more listed as endangered. This latest review has seen five new mammal species added to the endangered list, including the Australian sealion, Tasmanian devil, northern quoll and woylie.
What is the Red List?
The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species provides taxonomic, conservation status and distribution information on plants and animals that have been globally evaluated using the IUCN Red List Categories and Criteria.
This system is designed to determine the relative risk of extinction, highlighting plants and animals that are facing a higher risk of global extinction (Critically Endangered, Endangered and Vulnerable).
It also provides information on plants and animals categorized as Extinct or Extinct in the Wild; on species that cannot be evaluated because of insufficient information (Data Deficient); and species that are either close to meeting the threatened thresholds (Near Threatened).
Criteria for assessment
Species are assigned to a Red List category depending on the results of assessment in the following areas:
- Population size and changes in population size
- Reduction in geographic range in either extent of occurrence or area of occupancy
- Quantitative analysis showing probability of extinction in the wild
Details of the assessment criteria and process can be found here.
The category they are assigned to reflects the likelihood of extinction:
- Extinct (EX)- no reasonable doubt that the last individual has died
- Extinct in the Wild (EW)- only survive in captivity or as a naturalized population well outside the past range
- Critically Endangered (CR) - extremely high risk of extinction in the wild
- Endangered (EN) - very high risk of extinction in the wild
- Vulnerable (VU) - high risk of extinction in the wild
- Near Threatened (NT) - close to qualifying for a threatened category in the near future
- Least Concern (LC) - Widespread and abundant taxa
Use of the Red List
The Red List is used for evaluating and prioritising conservation actions, as well as tracking biodiversity trends, providing us with a score sheet of how well we are doing with conservation. The applications of the Red List are increasing with more data being available across more species as well as new refinements being made to the system.
For example, the Red List has been used to assess progress towards the 2010 targets for the Convention on Biological Diversity. Signed by 150 government leaders at the 1992 Rio Earth Summit, the Convention on Biological Diversity is dedicated to promoting sustainable development. It recognizes that biological diversity is about more than plants, animals and micro organisms and their ecosystems – it is about people and our need for food security, medicines, fresh air and water, shelter, and a clean and healthy environment in which to live.
The Red List was also part of the Millennium Ecosystem Assessment, which assessed the consequences of ecosystem change for human well-being. The results provide a state-of-the-art scientific appraisal of the condition and trends in the world’s ecosystems and the services they provide, as well as the scientific basis for action to conserve and use them sustainably.