Every diver knows that certain species are much more difficult to find than others; sometimes, this is just because of an animal’s habits. All too often, though, once common fish, marine mammals, and other creatures are hard to spot simply because they are no longer abundant. IUCN, or the International Union for the Conservation of Nature, is one organization that is focusing on learning more about all species and educating the public regarding a species’ status.
What is IUCN?
Dedicated to finding solutions to both environmental and developmental challenges, the IUCN is an international organization which supports scientific research, bringing a whole host of governments and non-governmental organizations together to research, develop, and implement policies, laws, and best practices. The organization manages field projects worldwide, and is the world’s largest – and oldest – global environmental network.
The IUCN network is, at its heart, a democratic membership union with over one thousand NGO and governmental member organizations, plus, nearly 11,000 scientists from 160 countries volunteer their time with the organization. Headquartered in Gland, Switzerland, near Geneva, IUCN maintains 60 offices worldwide.
According to IUCN, its mission is to “influence, encourage and assist societies throughout the world to conserve the integrity and biodiversity of nature and to ensure that any use of natural resources is equitable and ecologically sustainable.” IUCN partners with UNESCO and other environmental associations, and in addition to its other missions, the organization maintains the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species.
The IUCN Red List
Although IUCN has been in operation since 1948, its Red List of Threatened Species, which is also known as the Red Data List, has only been in existence since 1963. By far the world’s most comprehensive catalog of the global conservation status of tens of thousands of biological species, the list is updated frequently and is made public. In addition to the main Red List, there are Regional Red Lists.
The Red Lists are compiled using precise criteria, with the goal of evaluating the extinction risk of mammals, birds, fish, and all other types of organisms in order to aid lawmakers in formulating policies, and to inform the public about the extreme urgency of conservation issues of all kinds.
The ICUN Red List is easy to find online, and best of all, it is not at all difficult to navigate or understand. Species and subspecies are classified into nine groups. Criteria such as population size, rate of decline, and area of geographic distribution, along with other criteria are used to determine which category an organism should be placed in. The groups are as follows:
- Not Evaluated – (NE) Organism has yet to be evaluated against criteria.
- Data Deficient – (DD) Extinction risk cannot be assessed due to lack of information.
- Least Concern – (LC) A widespread and abundant organism at a very low risk for extinction.
- Near Threatened – (NT) This organism is likely to become endangered soon.
- Vulnerable – (VU) Wild populations suffer a high risk of becoming endangered.
- Endangered – (EN) Wild populations are at a high risk of extinction.
- Critically Endangered – (CE) Critically endangered in the wild.
- Extinct in the Wild – (EW) This organism exists only in captivity; some naturalized populations categorized as EW may live outside their historic range.
- Extinct – (EX) – No individuals remain.
Why Pay Attention?
One in four of the world’s mammal species – that’s 1,372 of 5,487 – is at risk for extinction, with marine mammals facing the worst odds of disappearing. Countless birds, fish, crustaceans, and others are also on the decline, and given that only ten percent or so of more than 30,000 known fish species have even been evaluated, and of those most are shown to be declining, the outlook is currently grim. A few notably endangered species include:
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Blue Whales, the largest of the planet’s mammals, are found in most oceans worldwide. Their numbers are dwindling due to noise pollution and environmental pollution. These whales and other whale species often suffer injury and death due to propeller strikes and accidental entanglement in lost fishing gear.
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The Caspian Seal, which is endemic to the Caspian Sea; the species has seen a sharp decline due to increased pollution, disease, and accidents involving fishing nets.
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The Beluga Whale, which ranges throughout the northern oceans. While some beluga families are only Near Threatened, other populations, including the Cook Inlet, Alaska, population are Critically Endangered.
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The African Penguin, which is undergoing extremely rapid population decline due mainly to pressure from commercial fisheries.
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Manta Rays, which live throughout the world’s oceans, are at risk mainly due to overfishing.
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Great White Sharks, valued for their fins, teeth, and jaws. As eco-tourism increases, it is hoped that this species will experience population growth.
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Dolphins, several dolphin species are at risk for increased decline, primarily due to pollution, fishing, and accidental death.
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Nassau Groupers, found throughout the Caribbean, western Atlantic, Gulf of Mexico, and the Florida Keys, is threatened due to overfishing and loss of habitat.
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Corals, living organisms, most types of corals worldwide are threatened by irresponsible human activity, global warming, crown of thorns starfish infestation, and other problems. At least one third of all reef building corals face extinction.
These are just a few of the many species that face various threat levels, and when you pause to consider how critical each species is to the survival of others, the truth is impossible to escape. While much attention is given to the status of keystone species, such as sea otters and other predators that are at risk, we must also remember that seemingly insignificant animals like krill, sardines, and even phytoplankton must be conserved as they play a vital role in the life of the ocean as well as the life of the planet.
Thanks to the IUCN’s ever growing database of information, and thanks to an increased sense of cooperation, the rise of eco-tourism, and better education, more people are paying attention to the status of the world’s organisms. By learning all you can about the way your daily decisions affect populations worldwide, and by helping those around you reach a greater understanding as well, you can make a difference; and, together, we can help our planet to recover.