IUCN is a nodal agency at the global level that assigned the work to compile information of natural species of plants, animals, and fungi in critical state. Based on certain criterion, IUCN classifies species as, extinct, endangered, and vulnerable depending on the degree of threats. So, let’s take a look at the classification of species by IUCN.
Criterion and categories of species by IUCN in Red Data Book
Take a look at the following criterion of classification of species by IUCN in Red Data Book.
A.Detailed understanding of Red data book
Red Data Book is a purposeful compilation of information regarding the degree of threats species facing within a geographical area. It records present status of assessment of almost all species including plants, animals, and fungi.
Simply, essence and importance of Red Data Book is to make available critical information about species in threat to study, formulate action plans to launch conservative measures worldwide.
International Union For Conservation of Nature (IUCN)
IUCN is a nodal agency established in 1948 to work for conservation of biological species and inspire people across the world to make use within the carrying capacity of nature.
Simply, IUCN is a global initiative to save natural habitats of vulnerable species to ensure adequate species diversity with sustainable use of biotic resources.
Later, in 1965, IUCN came up with a public document about the present status of species in dander, called Red Data Book.
Information in Red Data Book
Red Data Book is a public document containing systematic compilation of the present status of species facing degree of threats. Based on this document, classification of species by IUCN as below:
- Extinct
- Extinct in the wild
- Critically endangered
- Endangered
- Vulnerable
- Near threatened
- Least concerned
- Data deficient,
- Not evaluated
Unlike Red Data List, Red Data Book offers derailed information about species for systematic study.
Color coding of Red Data Book
As a part of presentation, Red Data Book uses specific color coded sheets to label species in danger in terms of degree. Let’s take a look at,
- Black – species officially declared as extinct.
- Red – species which are endangered.
- Amber- for vulnerable
- White – rare species
- Green – recovering species which were endangered.
- And, Gray – for data deficient endangered and vulnerable species.
Purpose, Role and importance of Red Data Book
This Book offers scientific as well as relevant information about the species facing danger.
Respective nations can use such data or information as basis for analysis why and how the species in question are in precarious situation. And, to reverse this, what measures need to be adopted at micro and macro level.
Data whether it is better or worse, is a barometer of seriousness that helps to garner support cutting across political boundaries in the process of conservation.
In this way, it is though passive a means to either influence or inspire policies of any nation in favour of global initiatives.
Furthermore, it is a powerful means and ways to generate public awareness regarding the pathetic state of biodiversity and form global public movements.
B.Explanation of Hotspots of biodiversity
The concentration of large number of organisms or communities and theirs interactions within a specific geographical area. Such high density ecological region is termed as hotspots of biodiversity. Global initiatives on conservation of biodiversity classified natural regions into various hotspots.
What does biodiversity mean?
It includes every living organism, ranging from microorganisms to giant elephants and algae to towering trees. In short, totality of living world is called biodiversity. And, hotspots connotes intense ecological activities of such biotic communities.
Scientific meaning of Hotspots of biodiversity
Hotspots are particular geographical yet ecologically sensitive regions of higher concentration of species diversity of endemic species, including plants and animals.
“In short, these are certain territorial regions where one could find huge concentration of endemic species with greater degree of external threats”.
At the present, across the world, around 35 regions are identified recognized as the hotspots of biodiversity by IUCN. These hotspots includes around 40 percent endemic species of various animals.
Biodiversity and biological hotspots meanings
Biodiversity hotspots means a place of intense biological activities or interactions of total organisms. Whenever such place perceives any kind of external threats, it is termed as biological hotspots.
Biological hotspots = huge number of organisms + perceived threats
Our earth is the cradle of billions of species of plants and animals due to its unique life supporting mechanism that we cannot find elsewhere.
But, at the same time, we know that concentration of these precious biotic resources aren’t noticed evenly distributed.
There are very few areas that have huge concentration of endemic species. And, due to various reasons, these areas are under serious threats.
Importance and purpose of biodiversity hotspots
Really, this is a welcome and praiseworthy targeted move by global community to conserve the species diversity in the most important, yet sensitive areas of the natural world.
Rationale behind this initiative is to achieve two main objectives — to save these precious biotic resources from the threat of extinction and conserve to ensure species and genetic diversity for more procreation of newer one.
Pioneer of hotspots of biodiversity
“Hotspots of biodiversity” is a brainchild of British ecologists “Norman Myers” who coined this concept in the late twentieth century.
He was the first who noticed the loss of various tropical species of plants and animals, and emphasized the importance to design a proper conservation methods for rejuvenation. Later, it was the Conservation International organization (CI) adopted Norman’s concept of hotspots of biodiversity and elaborated that term by adding proper criterion.
List of Hotspots across the world
All these regions are identified as hotspots of biodiversity by IUCN to focus on preservation, conservation, and protection of highly threatened yet precious endemic species of respective regions.
African regions
- Cape Floristic Region
- Coastal Forests of Eastern Africa
- Eastern Afromontane
- Guinean Forests of West Africa
- Horn of Africa
- Madagascar and the Indian Ocean Islands
- Maputaland-Pondoland-Albany
- Succulent Karoo
Asia-Pacific regions
- East Melanesian Islands
- Himalaya
- Indo-Burma
- Japan
- Mountains of Southwest China
- New Caledonia
- New Zealand
- Philippines
- Polynesia-Micronesia
- Southwest Australia
- Forests of Eastern Australia (new)
- Sundaland
- Wallacea
- Western Ghats and Sri Lanka
Europe and central Asian nations
- Caucasus
- Irano-Anatolian
- Mediterranean Basin
- Mountains of Central Asia
North and Central America regions
- California Floristic Province
- Caribbean Islands
- Madrean Pine-Oak Woodlands
- Mesoamerica
South America regions
- Atlantic Forest
- Cerrado
- Chilean Winter Rainfall-Valdivian
- Forests
- Tumbes-Chocó-Magdalena
- Tropical Andes
This is all about the meaning, importance and examples of hotspots of biodiversity our world recognised so far.
C.Critically endangered and extinct species — classification of species by IUCN
When the perceived threat is more than endangered species, it is called critically endangered. And, the extinct means even the last individual is no more. Red Data Book of IUCN uses both categories to judge the degree of threats to various species. Here, I’m going to present “Critically endangered Vs extinct species” difference.
IUCN, Red Data Book, and assessment system
IUCN is a nodal agency established in 1948 to protect and conserve species diversity and encourage people across world to ensure sustainable use of natural resources. Presently, IUCN is located in Gland, Switzerland.
Red Data Book is a systematic compilation of information regarding species facing threats worldwide. The process of documentation of data began since 1965.
In 1994, IUCN adopted a definite assessment method to classify threatened species in different categories based on perceived threats.
Criterion for Critically endangered species
When the numbers of given species are declining at the rate of 80 to 90 percent during 10 years of period of time within a natural habitats of that species, as per the assessment process, it is termed as Critically endangered species. In terms of numbers, if the numbers of given species are counted below 50 individuals, it is included in the same category.
On the other hand, if the proper time bound surveys confirm about the death of last individual, such species officially declared as extinct. But, if any individual member is kept in the zoo or park outside of natural habitat intending to protect from being extinct, even such species also known as extinct in wild.
Examples of extinct and Critically endangered species
So far, as per the official sources of IUCN, 902 are either declared as extinct or extinct in the wild.
- Tasmanian tiger,
- Dodo,
- Passanger Pigeon,
- West African rhinoceros,
- Javan tiger,
- Greak auk are important Examples of extinct species
In terms of Critically endangered, 8404 species are already confirmed in the second most threatened category.
- Hirola antelope of Africa,
- Doma-gazelle,
- Saiga antelope in Asia,
- Black rhinoceros,
- Northern white rhinoceros,
Critically endangered Vs extinct species difference
In case of extinct species, there is no chance to recover or rehabilitate with conservative measures. It is a clear manifestation of grave reality of ongoing threats our natural world facing.
But, revival of Critically endangered species is possible if we adopt time bound measures. Habitat protection and conservation, legal interventions, environmental mass awareness, and scientific measures may offer some hope.
When the scientific surveys fail to find out availability of a single member of given species in its natural regions or habit, it is assumed to be extinct. I.e. northern white rhinoceros, West African rhinoceros, Tasmanian tiger, etc.
In another case, if a members of species are kept in a zoo or park outside of their natural habitats to protect from being extinct, is called extinct in the wild.
Examples of extinct in the wild are Hawaiian crow, and pere-davis deer are recognised as extinct in the wild.
D. Classification of species by IUCN–Endangered and vulnerable species
Shockingly, nowadays, the numbers of vulnerable, endangered and critically endangered species are constantly rising despite the global protective measures.
Ongoing pace of loss of species diversity is attributed to the host of reasons. For better insight, I am going to explain the difference between vulnerable and endangered species as per the red data book of IUCN.
Classification of species by Red Data Book
Red data book is a systematic documentation of various species of plants, animals, and other living organisms, occurring on the planet. It is being regularly compiled under the aegis of IUCN.
The genuine purpose of Red Data Book is to make available up-to date information about the various species as per their degree of vulnerability. It categories species in the form of–
- Vulnerable species
- Endangered species
- Critically endangered species
- Extinct Species
Based on determined criterion by IUCN.
Every nation has i’s own red data book to supervise and manage the state of species within their territory.
Meaning and examples of vulnerable species
The base of classification is the degree of vulnerability of that specific species in the respective region.
In layman’s term, when there is fifty percent of reduction is noticed in the population of a particular species over a decade of time, it is called the vulnerable species.
Examples of vulnerable species in India are:
- Indian rhinoceros
- Red panda
- Himalayan yaks,
Criterion and examples of endangered species
Endangered species is called when there is seventy percent of reduction of particular species population over a decade of time.
Degree of vulnerability of endangered species is more than that of the vulnerable species. So, more serious efforts demands attention here.
Examples of endangered species are,
- Bengal tiger
- Asiatic lion,
- Black buck
These are classified as endangered species in India.
Parameters of critically endangered species
Compare to other two categories, critically endangered is the most serious one.
When there is more than ninety percent of population reduction is noticed of any particular species over a decade of time, it is called critically endangered species.
Examples of critically endangered species are,
- Gharial
- Indian vultures
- Siberian crane,
- Great Indian bustard
are some of names of critically endangered species in India
Meaning and examples of extinct species
This is the last category used for species totally vanished over a certain period of time. Unfortunately, in the world, the numbers of extinct species are not declining as per the conservational measures.
In India, the process of conservation has been started since the colonial age. And, since, independence, the measures has been accelerated by making punitive laws and establishment of sanctuaries, national park, and biosphere, for conservational, as well as protective purposes.
E.Vulnerable and near threatened species — Third classification of species by IUCN
On the besis of pace of declining of the numbers of naturally occurring species in a given natural setting, IUCN classifies species in various categories. Among these, how much numbers are in a real danger of vulnerability are designated as vulnerable.
Whereas, what numbers are going to be vulnerable in near future is identified as near threatened. In this blog, “Vulnerable and near threatened species”, my focus would be more on criterion and causal analysis of factors responsible for ongoing decline.
As I explained in the previous blog that IUCN adopted certain criterion to classify species in the different categories in Red Data Book
since 1965. Vulnerable and near threatened species are part of classification system designed by IUCN.
Criterion for vulnerable species in Red Data Book
First of all, I would like to make it clear that the assessment system of IUCN is relevant to only assessed handful of species. Because, large number of species are yet to be brought under the lenses of nodal agency.
Officially, 138,000 species are assessed so far through the perspective of perceived threats. It means that more than 80 percent are still out of range.
Now, let’s understand the specific criterion to determine the degree of vulnerability of given species.
Specific geographical area
It has been widely noticed that geographical location or natural habitat of a species is so vital as it is hard to notice elsewhere in the same degree of concentration. It means a given species can’t be in the same density outside of natural habitat.
The pace of declining of population of species
Secondly, the pace at which the given numbers of individuals are confirmed as declining. It is essential to judge the degree of seriousness going to happen in near future.
Period of time of declining of population
Thirdly, an exact period of time is another criterion IUCN considers for classification. Three generations or 10 years of time period is considered to judge the pace or rate of declining.
How to differentiate between vulnerable and near threatened species
If the population of given species is declining at the rate between 30 to 50 percent in respect to total numbers within a 10 years of time period; or the numbers of species in question are noticed below 1000 individuals in a natural setting, the species are declared as “Vulnerable species” by assessment system.
On the other hand, in terms of near threatened species, there is no concrete criterion but tentative prediction based on observations for given species.
Simply, when it is noticed that the concentration is somehow depleting by the means of proper assessment, it is assumed that in future such species might face serious threat.
Purpose of study of vulnerable and near threatened species
Early precise prediction could be an effective means to expedite conservative measures to reverse or arrest ongoing damage.
Compare to critically endangered and endangered, here, you have ample time period to design measures to recorrect possible threat. It may save species from being extinct as well as resources to rectify.
F. Present status of vulnerable species
At present, on the basis of assessment report of IUCN in 2021, there are 15492 species are included in the vulnerable list of Red Data List. Among these, there are 6789 species belong to plants and 5196 species of animals are designated as vulnerable. The prediction of near threatened is not yet known.
Examples of vulnerable species
- Red panda
- Cheetah
- Burmese python
- Yak
- One horned rhinoceros
- Sloth bear
- Indian cobra are some well known Examples of vulnerable species
If the population of given species is less than 1000 individuals or the pace of decline is between 30 to 50 percent during last 10 years of period, species belonging to this category is known as vulnerable species.
Latest data by Red Data Book revealed that there are 15492 species are on the verge of vulnerability across the world.
G.Near threatened species
Species rapidly approaching to be threatened in the near future but presently do not qualify as threatened, are known as near threatened species.
H.Least concerned species
Species with adequate population and no perceived threat yet are classified as least concerned species. If there is lack of proper data to assess as per the assessment system of IUCN, such species are put in data deficient category.
Present status of species in Red Data Book
So far, we have only assessed handful of species out of millions. It means that there might be many more in the threatening state but no authentic data available at this date. Precisely, IUCN only assessed 138, OOO species are assessed out of around two million numbers.
Obviously, the mission of assessment of natural world has just began. Hereon, much more shocking as well as promising may surface in near future.
The rate or pace of decline, period of time like three generations or 10 years, geographical regions, and specific number of individuals used key criterion to assess the state of species in question.
Last thought on classification species by IUCN
By observing the present state of species decline, we can conclude that the pace of decline is much more to come as vulnerable and endangered numbers are constantly raising.
This is just possible by the means of available data by Red Data Book and other conservative initiatives. In the absence, we hardly realise what type of danger we are going to face in future.
This is all about the classification of species by IUCN as extinct, critically endangered, endangered, vulnerable and near vulnerable.
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