Determining Conservation Status (DP IB Environmental Systems & Societies (ESS)): Revision Note

Determining Conservation Status

• International cooperation is essential if conservation is to be successful

• There are several agreements and authorities that exist within and between countries with the aim of protecting and conserving species worldwide

IUCN

• The International Union for the Conservation of Nature (IUCN) is the global authority on the status of the natural world and the measures needed to safeguard it

• One of the duties that the IUCN carries out is assessing the conservation status of animal and plant species around the world

  • Scientists use data and modelling to estimate the category each species should be in

• Factors used to determine the conservation status of a population include:

  • Population size (smaller populations are usually at a greater risk of extinction)

  • Degree of specialisation

  • Distribution

  • Reproductive potential and behaviour

  • Geographic range

  • Degree of endemicity (i.e. if the species is only found in a single specific area)

  • Degree of habitat fragmentation

  • Quality of habitat

  • Trophic level (animals in higher trophic levels are usually at a greater risk of extinction)

  • Probability of extinction

• The IUCN has their own classification system

  • There are several different categories and levels that a species can fall into depending on its population numbers and the threats and risks to those populations

• Animals that are on the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species™ can be seen online as this list is made public

The IUCN classification system of species - scientists are continually updating and reviewing the conservation status of species