A process for assessing and prioritizing species conservation needs: going beyond the Red List

Abstract

Conservation resources are limited, yet an increasing number of species are under threat. Assessing species for their conservation needs is, therefore, a vital first step in identifying and prioritizing species for both ex situ and in situ conservation actions. Using a transparent, logical and objective method, the Conservation Needs Assessment process developed by Amphibian Ark uses current knowledge of species in the wild to determine those with the most pressing conservation needs, and provides a foundation for the development of holistic conservation action plans that combine in situ and ex situ actions as appropriate. These assessments allow us to maximize the impact of limited conservation resources by identifying which measures could best serve those species requiring help. The Conservation Needs Assessment complements the IUCN Red List assessment, and together they provide a more holistic guide to conservation priorities and actions. Conservation Needs Assessments generate national prioritized lists of species recommended for conservation action. These can subsequently be used to assist in the development of species recovery plans and national action plans, or to inform national conservation priorities better. Additional tools that will evaluate the recommendations for ex situ rescues, to determine the best candidates for conservation breeding programmes, are currently under development.

Lessons from practitioners for designing and implementing effective amphibian captive breeding programmes

“…We refer to species selected for the purpose of reintroduction, and acknowledge the many contributions of programmes beyond reintroductions. Species prioritization techniques should be reviewed as new information emerges (Griffiths, 2017), and grounded in an evidence-based process; which is what Amphibian Ark's Conservation Needs Assessment aims to help achieve (Johnson et al, 2018). The risk of pathogen transmission should also be considered as it poses a significant threat to captive and wild populations, which increases when species are kept outside their geographical range and/or in cosmopolitan collections of multiple species from different geographical locations (Tapley et al, 2015).…”

“…Effective programmes should be systematically and strategically designed to overcome persistent challenges of conserving wild populations (Pritchard et al, 2012; IUCN, 2013). During 2009–2014, the Amphibian Ark's Conservation Needs Assessment (Conservation Needs Assessment, 2019) process was implemented to include characteristics beyond IUCN threat status and range, namely the ability of conservation practitioners to mitigate known threats, availability of protected habitat, scientific and cultural significance, suitability for husbandry analogue programmes, and availability of founding populations (Johnson et al, 2018). Programme planning often lacks the inclusion of human, social and institutional factors that determine the programme's effectiveness.…”

Zoos and amphibian conservation: Evaluating the impact of “The Year of The Frog” Campaign

“…In 2006, CBSG and WAZA held an Amphibian ex situ Conservation Planning Workshop in Panama to develop strategies for organization of the ex situ community, best practices for husbandry and quarantine, and organization of rapid response programs (Zippel et al, 2011). One of the outcomes of the workshop was the development of a decision tree for the selection and prioritization of taxa for ex situ conservation, which was subsequently refined to become the Amphibian Conservation Needs Assessments (CNAs) process (Johnson et al, 2020, AArk, 2006). The tool enables an assessment of the species and generates prioritized recommendations for both in situ and ex situ conservation actions to guide amphibian conservation activities within different countries or regions (Johnson et al, 2020).…”

“…One of the outcomes of the workshop was the development of a decision tree for the selection and prioritization of taxa for ex situ conservation, which was subsequently refined to become the Amphibian Conservation Needs Assessments (CNAs) process (Johnson et al, 2020, AArk, 2006). The tool enables an assessment of the species and generates prioritized recommendations for both in situ and ex situ conservation actions to guide amphibian conservation activities within different countries or regions (Johnson et al, 2020).…”

Substrate preference in the fossorial caecilian Microcaecila unicolor (Amphibia: Gymnophiona, Siphonopidae)

“…There are at least eleven published accounts of caecilian ex-situ management, but these are biased towards aquatic typhlonectid caecilians. Following Amphibian Ark's Conservation Needs Assessment process (Johnson et al, 2018), several species of caecilian have now been assessed as requiring ex-situ management for conservation purposes. These include six of the eight species of caecilian that are endemic to the Seychelles (e.g.…”