Inter-Research > ESR > v30 > p255-266  
ESR
Endangered Species Research

via Mailchimp

ESR 30:255-266 (2016)  -  DOI: https://doi.org/10.3354/esr00740

National and subnational Red Lists in European and Mediterranean countries: current state and use for conservation

Claire-Sophie Azam1,*, Guillaume Gigot1, Isabelle Witte1, Bertrand Schatz2

1SPN (Service du Patrimoine Naturel), Muséum National d’Histoire Naturelle, CP 41, 36 rue Geoffroy Saint-Hilaire, 75005 Paris, France
2CEFE (Centre d’Ecologie Fonctionnelle et Evolutive), UMR 5175, CNRS - Université de Montpellier - Université Paul-Valéry Montpellier - EPHE - 1919 route de Mende, 34293 Montpellier, France
*Corresponding author:

ABSTRACT: In the context of ongoing biodiversity loss and limited resources allocated to nature conservation, operational tools to prioritize and implement relevant conservation actions are crucial. The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species (RLTS) is recognized as the most comprehensive tool for assessing risk of species extinction, based on a standardized methodology that is applicable for most taxa and geographic regions. Now established at regional, national and subnational scales, Red Lists have grown rapidly and autonomously thanks to active local initiatives. We investigated national and subnational Red Lists in 53 European and Mediterranean countries to get an overview of their ongoing development and uses in this region in 2014. Through an online questionnaire, we identified national Red Lists in 41 countries and subnational Red Lists in 16 countries. The public sector is the main coordinator and funder of RLTSs, while the IUCN has a limited involvement in local initiatives. Availability of data and expertise are the main factors determining the choice of taxonomic groups to be assessed. Red Lists, notably national ones, are widely used in national conservation initiatives, mainly to prioritize species and sites. However, there are taxonomic and geographic coverage gaps and increased investment is needed to train experts and improve data quantity and quality. A worldwide strategy for development of regional RLTSs needs to be drawn up, along with the strengthening of a network of producers and users to increase their potential to contribute to biodiversity conservation.


KEY WORDS: National Red List · Subnational Red List · Threatened species · Conservation programs · Europe · Mediterranean region · Survey · IUCN


Full text in pdf format
Supplementary material
Cite this article as: Azam CS, Gigot G, Witte I, Schatz B (2016) National and subnational Red Lists in European and Mediterranean countries: current state and use for conservation. Endang Species Res 30:255-266. https://doi.org/10.3354/esr00740

Export citation
Share:    Facebook - - linkedIn

 Previous article Next article