Applying IUCN Red List criteria to birds at different geographical scales: similarities and differences

Abstract

Applying IUCN Red List criteria to birds at different geographical scales: similarities and differences. Extinction risk and conservation status of species are assessed at the global scale by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN). To ensure objectivity, repeatability and traceability, assessments follow a standardized process that uses reliable and verifiable information. Assessments are synthesized according to guidelines, which have recently been adjusted for application at sub-global scales. Nevertheless, species may have several, different or overlapping conservation status. To quantitatively compare assessments from global to sub-national scales, in this study we analyzed 15 assessment lists for 66 game bird species in France. Assessments were made following IUCN guidelines. Overall, our results reveal that (1) assessments at large spatial scales tend to give lower threat status than small-scale assessments; (2) large-scale assessments made it possible to formally verify information whereas smaller-scale assessments usually did not; (3) large-scale assessments are more likely to be based on standardized evidence of reduction in population size and are less exposed to 'scale-effects' and 'edge-effects'; (4) large-scale assessments are also more often based on scientific literature sensu stricto; and (5) sources are more accurately synthesized than Red Lists at small spatial scales. Our results suggest that small-scale Red Lists do not fully match IUCN guidelines and differ significantly in their assessment processes when compared to global standards. The use of subjective and unreliable data in small-scale Red Lists (above all in national and sub-national lists) may jeopardise the original aim of IUCN Red Lists to provide comprehensive and scientifically rigorous information, and could thus compromise the credibility and prestige of IUCN Red Lists in the eyes of researchers, the general public, and other stakeholders.

Conservation of terrestrial invertebrates: a review of IUCN and regional Red Lists for Myriapoda

“…The approaches for conservation planning may vary in scale and extent (Pressey and Bottrill 2009), but they need to rely on rigorous evidence on species and ecosystems involved (Cook et al 2010). Specifically, evidence-based wildlife management requires reliable information on the conservation status and the extinction risk of species (Charra and Sarasa 2018).…”

“…The most widely recognized assessment of the conservation status of species is the Red List of Threatened Species, established by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) in 1964 (Charra and Sarasa 2018). Since then, IUCN has been developing and updating a global list of threatened species and a methodology for species assessments.…”

Interspecific competition between two partridges in farmland landscapes

“…The possible increased competition pressure from the introduction of the larger and bulkier red-legged partridge in the human-created contact zone (Carpio et al, 2017;Robertson, 1996;Sokos et al, 2008), has rarely been studied as a possible cause of grey partridge decline or as a limiting factor in population recovery (Bro, 2016;Meriggi et al, 1991). However, while the grey partridge is one the most iconic farmland bird in Europe (Sotherton et al, 2014), it has declined strongly over the last few decades (Aebischer & Kavanagh, 1997;Aebischer & Potts, 1994) and is now threatened at national or sub-national scales (Charra & Sarasa, 2018;Eaton et al, 2015). In this study, we investigated behaviours that might potentially indicate interspecific competition between the two partridges, in study areas located within the original area of sympatry (central western France).…”

Commercial trade of wild animals: examining the use of the IUCN Red List and CITES Appendices as the basis for corporate trade policies

“…The IUCN Red List is the most widely recognised assessment of the conservation status of species at the global scale (Charra and Sarasa, 2018). The Red List defines a set of categories to describe extinction risk, using parameters such as population status, distributional range, population size and structure and quantitative estimates of threats (Mair et al, 2019).…”

“…It also holds the potential to influence communication and awareness raising of species extinction risk to the scientific community and wider audiences (Betts et al, 2020). The IUCN Red List has been praised for its objectivity, transparency and traceability (Charra and Sarasa, 2018) and influences many aspects of conservation including policy development, awareness raising, priority setting and resource allocation (Betts et al, 2020). As a regulatory tool, CITES has become the primary international framework for preventing the loss of species due to international wildlife trade (Frank and Wilcove, 2019) and has positively influenced other trade regulatory frameworks at the national level (Marshall et al, 2020).…”