Red Listed Species UPSC Notes: Objective & Conservation Plan

The term “Red Listed Species” refers to the categories of various species listed under the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Red List. This list is a critical indicator of the health of the world’s biodiversity. It provides comprehensive information on the global conservation status of plant and animal species. Understanding the plight of these species is crucial for formulating conservation strategies and for the holistic management of natural resources.

The IUCN Red listed endangered species is a critical tool for understanding the global status of biological diversity and informing conservation actions. Managed by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN), the Red List evaluates the risk of extinction for thousands of species and is widely regarded as the most comprehensive inventory of the global conservation status of species.

What is the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species?

The IUCN Red Listed Species is the world’s most comprehensive inventory of the global conservation status of biological species. It uses a set of criteria to evaluate the extinction risk of thousands of species and subspecies. These criteria are relevant to all species and all regions of the world. The aim is to convey the urgency of conservation issues to the public and policymakers, as well as help the international community reduce extinction.

Categories of Threat

The Red Listed species are categorized into nine groups based on their risk of extinction:

• Extinct (EX): No known individuals remaining.
• Extinct in the Wild (EW): Known only to survive in captivity or as a naturalized population outside its historic range.
• Critically Endangered (CR): Extremely high risk of extinction in the wild.
• Endangered (EN): High risk of extinction in the wild.
• Vulnerable (VU): High risk of endangerment in the wild.
• Near Threatened (NT): Likely to become endangered soon.
• Least Concern (LC): Lowest risk (does not qualify for a more at-risk category; widespread and abundant).
• Data Deficient (DD): Not enough data to assess its risk of extinction.
• Not Evaluated (NE): This has not yet been evaluated against the criteria.

Objectives of IUCN

The International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) has several key objectives aimed at conserving nature and promoting sustainable use of natural resources. The main objectives of IUCN include:

Monitoring and Research

• Assessment of Global Biodiversity: The IUCN is renowned for its Red Listed Species, which evaluates the conservation status of species worldwide. This tool is crucial for understanding biodiversity trends and priorities for conservation.
• Scientific Research and Data Collection: The IUCN facilitates research on biodiversity, ecosystem services, and the impacts of climate change and human activity on natural environments.

Influencing Global Policies

• Environmental Policies and Legislation: The IUCN assists governments and international organizations in drafting and implementing policies that promote the conservation of biodiversity, which includes Red listed species and sustainable use of resources.
• International Cooperation: It encourages collaboration between countries and organizations to tackle transboundary environmental challenges, like wildlife trafficking and climate change impacts.

Capacity Building and Education

• Training and Education: The IUCN provides training and resources to its members and the general public to increase understanding of ecological issues and promote efforts for conserving Red listed species.
• Empowering Communities: It focuses on enhancing the capabilities of local communities to manage natural resources sustainably, ensuring that conservation efforts also support local livelihoods.

Conservation Programs

• Protected Areas Management: The IUCN helps in the planning and management of protected areas worldwide to ensure they effectively contribute to conserving biodiversity.
• Species Recovery Programs: The organization supports efforts to rehabilitate and conserve red listed species through recovery programs and habitat restoration.

Sustainable Use of Resources

• Promoting Sustainable Practices: The IUCN works with private sectors, governments, and other stakeholders to promote practices that are environmentally sustainable and economically viable.
• Development of Green Standards: It develops and advocates for standards and guidelines that enhance environmental sustainability across various industries and sectors.

IUCN Red List Users

The IUCN Red Listed Species is a critical tool used globally by a variety of stakeholders to guide conservation actions, inform policy, and raise awareness about biodiversity and conservation issues. Here’s a closer look at the primary users of the IUCN Red List and how they utilize this resource:

Conservationists and Biologists

Conservationists and biologists use the list of red listed species to identify species at risk of extinction, prioritize conservation efforts, and monitor biodiversity trends. This information helps them focus resources effectively to protect the most vulnerable species.

Government Agencies and Policymakers

Governments at all levels use the inventory of red listed species to inform environmental policies and legislation. This includes creating protected areas, regulating wildlife trade, and setting conservation priorities. It also serves as a reference for implementing international agreements like the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD).

Environmental and Conservation NGOs

Non-governmental organizations (NGOs) use the list of Red Listed species to advocate for conservation issues, design conservation projects, and raise public awareness. It also helps them fund and communicate the urgency of their conservation efforts to supporters and donors.

Academic and Research Institutions

Researchers and academics utilize the record Red List species for scientific studies on species conservation, ecosystem health, and the effects of human activity on biodiversity. It is also used extensively in educational settings to teach students about conservation biology.

Private Sector Companies

Companies, particularly those in industries like forestry, fisheries, and extractives, use the Red List to manage their impacts on biodiversity. It informs their corporate social responsibility (CSR) strategies and helps ensure compliance with environmental regulations.

Legal and Environmental Consultants

Consultants use the Red List to conduct environmental impact assessments and to provide advice on biodiversity conservation to their clients, ensuring that development projects comply with local and international conservation laws.

Importance of the Red List in Conservation

The IUCN Red list of threatened species plays a crucial role in global conservation efforts by providing comprehensive, scientifically-based information on the conservation status of species. Its importance in conservation can be outlined as follows:

Guiding Conservation Priorities

The Red List helps prioritize actions for biodiversity conservation. By identifying species at risk, conservationists can target their efforts where they are most needed. For example, species listed as Critically Endangered or Endangered require immediate attention to prevent their extinction.

Influencing Policy

Information from the Red List is used to inform policy decisions regarding biodiversity conservation. It serves as a basis for the creation of laws and regulations that facilitate habitat protection, restoration, and sustainable use of natural resources.

Challenges in Species Conservation

Conserving species that are listed on the IUCN Red List poses several significant challenges. These challenges can vary widely depending on the species, their habitats, and the specific threats they face. Here are some of the key challenges in species conservation for red-listed species:

Habitat Loss

Habitat destruction is the primary threat to many species. Urbanization, deforestation, agriculture, and mining lead to the fragmentation and loss of habitats, placing many species at risk.

Climate Change

Climate change affects weather patterns, sea levels, and temperature, which can alter the natural habitats of species. For example, polar bears are under threat due to melting ice caps in the Arctic, affecting their ability to hunt and survive.

Overexploitation

Overexploitation for commercial, recreational, scientific, or educational purposes drastically reduces some species’ populations. Poaching and the illegal wildlife trade are significant threats to biodiversity.

List of Endangered Species in India as per IUCN Red List 2019-2022

As of the IUCN red list of threatened species 2019, the Red List identifies several species in India that are classified as critically endangered. Here is a list of some of these species, highlighting the diversity of India’s critically endangered flora and fauna:

Mammals

• Ganges River Dolphin (Platanista Gangetica): Faces threats from habitat fragmentation, pollution, and accidental deaths through fishing.
• Sumatran Rhinoceros (Dicerorhinus Sumatrensis): Previously found in parts of northeastern India, now possibly extinct in the region but critically endangered globally.
• Malabar Large-spotted Civet (Viverra civettina): Limited to the Western Ghats, threatened by habitat loss and fragmentation.
• Kashmir Gray Langur (Semnopithecus ajax) – Endemic to the northern regions of India.
• Pygmy Hog (Porcula Salvania) – The smallest member of the pig family, found in Assam.

Birds

• Great Indian Bustard (Ardeotis Nigriceps): Threatened by habitat destruction, hunting, and disturbance from agricultural and industrial expansion.
• Bengal Florican (Houbaropsis Bengalensis): Suffers from habitat loss due to agricultural development and human disturbance.
• Siberian Crane (Leucogeranus Leucogeranus): Extremely rare in India; critically endangered globally, primarily due to habitat degradation.
• Sociable Lapwing (Vanellus Gregorius) – Known for its remarkable decline due to habitat destruction.
• Forest Owlet (Heteroglaux Blewitti) – A small owl endemic to the forests of central India.

Reptiles

• Gharial (Gavialis Gangeticus): Faces threats from loss of riverine habitat, pollution, and fishing activities.
• Hawksbill Turtle (Eretmochelys Imbricata): Threatened by habitat loss, poaching for their shells, and accidental capture in fishing gear.

Amphibians

• Gundia Indian Frog (Indirana Gundia): Endemic to the Western Ghats and threatened by habitat loss due to agriculture and plantations.
• Purple Frog (Nasikabatrachus sahyadrensis): Known for its burrowing habits and rare sightings. It is endangered by habitat loss related to deforestation for plantations.

Fishes

• Pondicherry Shark (Carcharhinus Hemiodon): A rare marine species, possibly extinct in most of its range, including Indian waters.
• Knife-tooth Sawfish (Anoxypristis cuspidata): Critically endangered due to habitat loss, pollution, and overfishing.

Plants

• Forest Coconut (Voanioala Gerardii): Found in specific regions and critically endangered due to overharvesting and habitat destruction.
• Red Vanda (Vanda coerulea): An orchid species threatened by habitat loss and over-collection for horticultural purposes.

Insects

Jeenah’s Burnet Moth (Zygaena Jeannei): Known from only a few locations in India and is threatened by habitat modification.

IUCN Conservation Plans

The IUCN continuously evolves its strategies to address the changing landscape of Red listed species. The organization focuses on integrating new scientific insights, emerging environmental challenges, and broader socio-economic factors that impact conservation efforts. Here’s an outline of the key elements likely to shape IUCN’s future strategy for the conservation of nature:

Emphasizing Climate Change Resilience

Given the profound impact of climate change on biodiversity, IUCN’s strategies will increasingly focus on enhancing ecosystem resilience. This involves promoting and implementing nature-based solutions (NbS) that use natural systems to mitigate climate effects and support human well-being.

Expanding Protected Areas and Connectivity

IUCN aims to expand the coverage and effectiveness of protected areas globally. This includes not only increasing the number of protected areas but also improving their connectivity. So that ecological networks are maintained.

Innovative Financing for Conservation

Addressing the funding gap in conservation is critical. IUCN will work towards innovative financing mechanisms that can generate sustainable funding for conservation projects for red listed species. This may include payments for ecosystem services, green bonds, and leveraging private sector investments.

Integrating Biodiversity with Sustainable Development

IUCN will continue to emphasize the integration of biodiversity conservation with socio-economic development. This approach recognizes the dependence of human communities on healthy ecosystems. It aims to make conservation beneficial for both nature and people.

Focusing on Digital and Technological Solutions

The use of technology in conservation will be a significant focus. IUCN plans to harness the power of big data analytics, and other technological advancements. So that it can monitor biodiversity and enhance the efficiency of conservation interventions.

Community-Led Conservation Initiatives

Prioritizing conservation efforts will engage local communities and indigenous peoples. IUCN recognizes the critical role these groups play in biodiversity conservation. Empowering them through rights-based approaches and capacity-building initiatives will be crucial.

Enhanced Global Cooperation

IUCN will seek to strengthen international cooperation and partnerships across governments, non-governmental organizations, the private sector, and civil society. Collaborative efforts are essential to address transboundary conservation challenges and to share knowledge and resources effectively.

Education and Awareness Campaigns

Increasing public awareness and understanding of biodiversity issues will remain a key strategy. IUCN will continue to engage with various stakeholders through education, outreach, and media to foster a broader cultural appreciation.

Policy Influence and Advocacy

IUCN will maintain and enhance its role in advising and influencing global policy on environmental governance. This includes providing expert guidance on conservation laws, sustainable resource use, and environmental justice.

Relevance for UPSC Aspirants

Red listed species hold significant relevance for UPSC aspirants as they are a critical component of environmental studies and biodiversity conservation, both key areas in the syllabus. The International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Red List provides a comprehensive inventory of the global conservation status of biological species, highlighting those at risk of extinction. Understanding the categories and criteria used to classify species helps aspirants grasp the severity of biodiversity loss and the urgency of conservation efforts.

Red Listed Species Notes

1. The Red List, compiled by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN), is a comprehensive inventory of the global conservation status of biological species. 2. Species are classified into nine categories: Extinct, Extinct in the Wild, Critically Endangered, Endangered, Vulnerable, Near Threatened, Least Concern, Data Deficient, and Not Evaluated. 3. The list aims to convey the urgency of conservation issues to the public and policymakers, influencing conservation priorities and actions. 4. India has a significant number of species listed, including the Bengal Tiger, Asian Elephant, and Ganges River Dolphin, highlighting the country’s biodiversity and conservation challenges. 5. Major threats to species include habitat loss, pollution, climate change, overexploitation, and invasive species. 6. Conservation measures include protected areas, wildlife corridors, breeding programs, and stricter enforcement of wildlife laws. 7. The Red List also serves as a tool for assessing the impact of conservation efforts and identifying species that require immediate attention.

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