Assessing species endangerment status: progress in research and an example from China

doi:10.3724/SP.J.1003.2012.11145

Abstract

Abstract:

It is an important task in biodiversity conservation to assess species endangerment status and determine protection priorities. Although IUCN Redlist Criteria are improving through periodical revision, people are still developing different criteria because information about population census, habitat status and life history of a given species are often lacking. We reviewed the progress of assessing species endangerment status, both internationally and domestically, and propose that future designations combine distribution area, life history, ecological function, anthropogenic interference and special use data to more accurately assess endangerment status. As an example, we assessed the status of terrestrial vertebrates in China using this method. Our results showed that five species were listed in the category of extinct, 30 species were extinct, 343 species were endangered, 459 species were threatened, 439 species were concerned, and 1,032 species were least concerned.

Key words: Criteria for assessing species endangerment status, extinction, endangered species, threatened species, mammals, birds, reptiles, amphibians

Zhigang Jiang, Zhenhua Luo. Assessing species endangerment status: progress in research and an example from China[J]. Biodiv Sci, 2012, 20(5): 612-622.

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URL: https://www.biodiversity-science.net/EN/10.3724/SP.J.1003.2012.11145

https://www.biodiversity-science.net/EN/Y2012/V20/I5/612

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References 69

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标准等级 Standard	分布面积 Distribution area	种群数量 Population size	种群下降速率 Rate of population decline	种群隔离程度 Degree of population isolation	预计种群下降速率 Rate of population decline foreseen	生境下降速率 Rate of habitat loss	r 对策的经济指标 The economic index for r-strategist
灭绝级 Ex Extinct, Ex	至少50年野外已无该物种分布记录 At least there is no record of individuals of the species in the field for 50 years
功能性灭绝级 FE Functional extinct, FE	在近期多次野外考察中未发现个体, 野外可能仍存在少数个体, 但其在生态系统的功能已经丧失。 No individual was discovered in recent field surveys. Some individuals may still live in field, but the ecological function of the species in ecosystem is lost
濒危级 En Endangered, En	两栖爬行类<100 km²; 鸟类兽类<10,000 km²(或小于10个县) For amphibians & reptiles <100 km², for birds & mammals<10,000 km²(or less in 10 counties)	<1,000	50年内下降90% Declined 90% in 50 years	仅余少数完全隔离的种群 Only several completely isolated populations left	3年中75% 75% in 3 years	50年中90% 90% in 50 years	经济灭绝* Economic extinct*
受胁级 T Threatened, T	两栖爬行类<1,000 km²; 鸟类兽类<30,000 km²(或小于30个县) For amphibians & reptiles <1,000 km²; for birds & mammals <30,000 km²(or less than 30 counties)	<2,500	50年内下降75% 75% in 50 years	种群存在不完全隔离; Incompletely isolation of populations	50年中75% 75% in 5 years	50年中75% 75% in 5 years	猎捕量上升、价格上升且主要种群下降、分布萎缩 Harvest increases, price increases and decline of major populations, shrinking of distribution
关注级 C Concern, C	两栖爬行类<10,000 km²; 鸟类兽类: <100,000 km²(或小于50个县) For amphibians & reptiles <10,000 km²; birds & mammals <100,000 km²(or less than 50 counties)	<5,000	50年内下降50% 50% in 50 years	部分种群存在不完全隔离 Incompletely isolation of some populations	50年中50% 50% in 50 years	100年中25% 25% in 100 years	需求量上升 Increase of demand
无危级 Lc Least concern	尚未达到关注级的标准 Not qualified for the criterion of Concern C
数据缺乏 DD Data deficit	数据缺乏不宜进行评估 Not suitable for assessment due to lack of data

标准等级 Standard	分布面积 Distribution area	种群数量 Population size	种群下降速率 Rate of population decline	种群隔离程度 Degree of population isolation	预计种群下降速率 Rate of population decline foreseen	生境下降速率 Rate of habitat loss	r 对策的经济指标 The economic index for r-strategist
灭绝级 Ex Extinct, Ex	至少50年野外已无该物种分布记录 At least there is no record of individuals of the species in the field for 50 years
功能性灭绝级 FE Functional extinct, FE	在近期多次野外考察中未发现个体, 野外可能仍存在少数个体, 但其在生态系统的功能已经丧失。 No individual was discovered in recent field surveys. Some individuals may still live in field, but the ecological function of the species in ecosystem is lost
濒危级 En Endangered, En	两栖爬行类<100 km²; 鸟类兽类<10,000 km²(或小于10个县) For amphibians & reptiles <100 km², for birds & mammals<10,000 km²(or less in 10 counties)	<1,000	50年内下降90% Declined 90% in 50 years	仅余少数完全隔离的种群 Only several completely isolated populations left	3年中75% 75% in 3 years	50年中90% 90% in 50 years	经济灭绝* Economic extinct*
受胁级 T Threatened, T	两栖爬行类<1,000 km²; 鸟类兽类<30,000 km²(或小于30个县) For amphibians & reptiles <1,000 km²; for birds & mammals <30,000 km²(or less than 30 counties)	<2,500	50年内下降75% 75% in 50 years	种群存在不完全隔离; Incompletely isolation of populations	50年中75% 75% in 5 years	50年中75% 75% in 5 years	猎捕量上升、价格上升且主要种群下降、分布萎缩 Harvest increases, price increases and decline of major populations, shrinking of distribution
关注级 C Concern, C	两栖爬行类<10,000 km²; 鸟类兽类: <100,000 km²(或小于50个县) For amphibians & reptiles <10,000 km²; birds & mammals <100,000 km²(or less than 50 counties)	<5,000	50年内下降50% 50% in 50 years	部分种群存在不完全隔离 Incompletely isolation of some populations	50年中50% 50% in 50 years	100年中25% 25% in 100 years	需求量上升 Increase of demand
无危级 Lc Least concern	尚未达到关注级的标准 Not qualified for the criterion of Concern C
数据缺乏 DD Data deficit	数据缺乏不宜进行评估 Not suitable for assessment due to lack of data