e-Digest Statistics about: Wildlife
Species at risk and wildlife protection
The International Union for the Conservation of Nature (IUCN) revised its species threat categories and criteria in 2000 [3]. This new system has been applied at GB level to most non-marine plant groups, but not yet to animals. Table 1 shows the number of terrestrial and freshwater animal species in GB considered to be endangered, vulnerable or rare (i.e. included in the original IUCN Red List categories). It also shows the number of terrestrial and freshwater plants and other organisms in GB considered to be critically endangered, endangered and vulnerable (i.e. included in Red Lists drawn up using the revised IUCN criteria) or Near Threatened (i.e. not included in the revised Red Lists but recorded as present in 15 or fewer 10km squares in GB). Figures are also included, where available, for the number of Nationally Scarce species in each species group (ie those recorded as present in only 16-100 10km squares in GB).
Red List, Near Threatened and Nationally Scarce species are used in evaluating the conservation importance of sites; their presence is one of the criteria used to select Sites of Special Scientific Interest. Comparable data on risk for UK populations of mammals and birds are not available since the IUCN threat status of these species is assessed on an international basis and not for UK populations separately. A large proportion of other animals, plants and other organisms (e.g. parasitic animals, springtails and micro-algae) have not been assessed, and so are not included in Table 1.
Within the UK, specific protection is provided for a number of species of wildlife. For example, protection for all wild birds makes it an offence to: intentionally kill, injure, take or possess them, disturb them (while nesting, etc), destroy places used for shelter or protection, or offer them for sale. The numbers of fully or partially protected species of wildlife in GB as at end of 1981 and 1996 are shown in Table 2.
We do not have data more recent than that published in the tables listed below. Various research programs and local conservation groups may be able to provide more recent information. At a national level contact the National Biological Network, the Environmental Change Network and Centre for Ecology and Hydrology
- Source:
- JNCC, RSPB, BTO
- See also:
- UK Biodiversity Action Plan
- Scarce and threatened native species
- Sustainable Development Indicators:
- Protecting our natural resources and enhancing the environment: Biodiversity conservation
- Data Tables:
- Native species at risk: 1999 XLS
- Protected native species: 1981-1996 XLS
- References, further reading and links to other resources:
- [3] World Conservation Union, (2000). IUCN Red List Categories. Prepared by the IUCN Species Survival Commission, as approved by the 40th meeting of the IUCN Council. IUCN, Gland, Switzerland.
- Internet Links:
- UNEP World Conservation Monitoring Centre: world biodiversity information and assessment centre of the United Nations Environment Programme
- International Union for Conservation of Nature and Natural Resources: RedList
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Page last modified: 16 September 2003
Page published: 10 September 2003