Red List Index

The Red List Index (RLI), based on the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species, is an indicator of the changing state of global biodiversity. It defines the conservation status of major species groups, and measures trends in extinction risk over time. By conducting conservation assessments at regular intervals, changes in the threat status of species in a taxonomic group can be used to monitor trends in extinction risk. RLIs have been calculated for birds and amphibians, using changes in threat status for species in each of the groups.

ExtinctionExtinctionEndangered speciesVulnerable speciesThreatened species

Summary of 2006 IUCN Red List categories.

As well as taxonomic groups, RLIs can show trends in extinction risk according to biogeographic realm, habitat type, and dominant threat process.

Sampled approach

Producing indices of change in extinction risk by comprehensively assessing whole species groups, while feasible for well studied groups with relatively few species, is not suitable for all taxonomic groups. Assessing every species in the larger and lesser known groups which comprise the majority of the world’s biodiversity, such as fungi, invertebrates (particularly insects) and plants, is not practical.

The Red List Index (sampled approach) (SRLI) has been developed in order to determine the threat status and also trends of lesser-known and less charismatic species groups. It is a collaboration between IUCN members and is coordinated through the Institute of Zoology (IoZ), the research division of the Zoological Society of London (ZSL). The SRLI is based on a representative sample of species selected from taxonomic groups within animals (invertebrates and vertebrates), fungi and plants.

Assessment of the selected species will provide baseline information on the current status of biodiversity. Reassessment at regular intervals will identify changes in threat status over time to provide a more broadly representative picture of biodiversity change.

Applications

The aim is that the SRLI will aid in the production of a global biodiversity indicator capable of measuring whether the rate of biodiversity loss has been reduced. In addition, it will help to develop a better understanding of which taxonomic groups, realms or ecosystems are deteriorating the most rapidly, why species are threatened, where they are threatened, what conservation actions exist and which actions are needed. The aim is to provide policy makers, resource managers, scientists, educators, conservation practitioners and the general public with more thorough knowledge of biodiversity change and further tools with which to make informed decisions.

In April 2002 at the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD), 188 Nations committed themselves to actions to: “… achieve, by 2010, a significant reduction of the current rate of biodiversity loss at the global, regional and national levels…” The RLI has been adopted by the CBD as one of the indicators to measure progress towards this important target, and specifically to monitor changes in threat status of species.

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See also

References
  • Butchart SH, Resit Akçakaya H, Chanson J, et al. (2007). Lusseau D (ed.). "Improvements to the Red List Index". PLoS ONE. 2 (1): e140. doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0000140. PMC 1764037. PMID 17206275.
  • Butchart SH, Stattersfield AJ, Baillie J, et al. (February 2005). "Using Red List Indices to measure progress towards the 2010 target and beyond". Philos. Trans. R. Soc. Lond. B Biol. Sci. 360 (1454): 255–68. doi:10.1098/rstb.2004.1583. PMC 1569445. PMID 15814344.
  • Butchart SH, Stattersfield AJ, Bennun LA, et al. (December 2004). "Measuring global trends in the status of biodiversity: red list indices for birds". PLoS Biol. 2 (12): e383. doi:10.1371/journal.pbio.0020383. PMC 524254. PMID 15510230.
  • Nic Lughadha E, Baillie J, Barthlott W, et al. (February 2005). "Measuring the fate of plant diversity: towards a foundation for future monitoring and opportunities for urgent action". Philos. Trans. R. Soc. Lond. B Biol. Sci. 360 (1454): 359–72. doi:10.1098/rstb.2004.1596. PMC 1569457. PMID 15814350.
  • Stuart SN, Chanson JS, Cox NA, et al. (December 2004). "Status and trends of amphibian declines and extinctions worldwide". Science. 306 (5702): 1783–6. CiteSeerX 10.1.1.225.9620. doi:10.1126/science.1103538. PMID 15486254.
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