IUCN, the International Union for Conservation of Nature

European Red List

22 April 2011 | Article

IUCN is working on producing a European Red List of Threatened species -  a review of the conservation status of species throughout the European Union and the rest of Europe, according to the IUCN regional Red Listing guidelines. 

So far European Red Lists exist for birds (by BirdLife International), mammals, reptiles, amphibians, dragonflies, butterflies and a selection of saproxylic beetles. Soon, in June 2011, a European Red List for molluscs, freshwater fish and vascular plants will be published.

IUCN’s species assessment methodology is based on the IUCN Red List Categories and Criteria that provide an objective and easily understandable system for identifying species at high risk of extinction. Species are assigned to one of eight categories of threat, based on whether they meet any one of a series of quantitative criteria related to population trend, population size and structure, and geographic range. Species listed as Critically Endangered, Endangered or Vulnerable are collectively described as ‘threatened’.

The European Red List of Freshwater Fish will include all freshwater fish species native to Europe or naturalised in Europe before 1500 AD.  The European Red List of Vascular Plants will consist of a selection of 2,000 plant species, including crop wild relatives, policy species (e.g. species protected under global or regional legislation) and aquatic species.  The European Red List of Molluscs will include all freshwater molluscs and a selection of terrestrial species.

The products of this project will present a detailed and comprehensive picture of the status of biodiversity in Europe, so that appropriate conservation action can be taken, and will provide a useful input into policy level processes.

Many experts from all over Europe and organisations are actively participating in the process.

For more information please click here, or visit the European Commission website.

Or contact Ana Nieto, Regional Biodiversity Conservation Officer