The Red Data Book is a publication of the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) that lists species of plants and animals that are threatened with extinction. The Red Data Book is divided into three categories:
- Extinct (EX): A species is extinct when there is no reasonable doubt that the last individual has died.
- Extinct in the Wild (EW): A species is extinct in the wild when the last individual has died in the wild, but there may be individuals in captivity or cultivation.
- Critically Endangered (CR): A species is critically endangered when it is facing an extremely high risk of extinction in the wild in the immediate future.
- Endangered (EN): A species is endangered when it is facing a very high risk of extinction in the wild in the near future.
- Vulnerable (VU): A species is vulnerable when it is facing a high risk of extinction in the wild in the medium-term future.
- Near Threatened (NT): A species is near threatened when it is not currently threatened with extinction, but is close to qualifying for a threatened category.
- Least Concern (LC): A species is least concern when it is not currently threatened with extinction and is not likely to become threatened in the near future.
- Data Deficient (DD): A species is data deficient when there is not enough information to assess its risk of extinction.
The Red Data Book is a valuable tool for conservationists and policymakers. It helps to identify species that are most at risk of extinction and to prioritize conservation efforts. The Red Data Book also provides information on the status of species, their threats, and conservation measures that are being taken.
The Red List of Threatened Species, also known as the IUCN Red List, is a comprehensive inventory of the global conservation status of biological species. The International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) and its Species Survival Commission (SSC) produce it. The Red List is a tool for evaluating the conservation status of species and for prioritizing conservation efforts. It is used by governments, conservation organizations, and businesses to make decisions about how to protect species and their habitats.
The Red List is divided into nine categories:
- Extinct (EX): A species is extinct when there is no reasonable doubt that the last individual has died.
- Extinct in the Wild (EW): A species is extinct in the wild when the last individual has died in the wild, but there may be individuals in captivity or cultivation.
- Critically Endangered (CR): A species is critically endangered when it is facing an extremely high risk of extinction in the wild in the immediate future.
- Endangered (EN): A species is endangered when it is facing a very high risk of extinction in the wild in the near future.
- Vulnerable (VU): A species is vulnerable when it is facing a high risk of extinction in the wild in the medium-term future.
- Near Threatened (NT): A species is near threatened when it is not currently threatened with extinction, but is close to qualifying for a threatened category.
- Least Concern (LC): A species is least concern when it is not currently threatened with extinction and is not likely to become threatened in the near future.
- Data Deficient (DD): A species is data deficient when there is not enough information to assess its risk of extinction.
- Not Evaluated (NE): A species has not been evaluated for the Red List.
The Red List is updated regularly as new information becomes available. The most recent update was in 2021. As of 2021, the Red List includes 138,494 species, of which 35,793 are threatened with extinction. The most common threats to species are habitat loss, overexploitation, pollution, and climate change.
The Red List is a valuable tool for conservationists and policymakers. It helps to identify species that are most at risk of extinction and to prioritize conservation efforts. The Red List also provides information on the status of species, their threats, and conservation measures that are being taken.
The Red List is a living document that is constantly being updated as new information becomes available. It is a valuable tool for conservationists and policymakers, and it helps to raise awareness of the threats facing species around the world.
Here are some examples of species that are currently listed as threatened on the Red List:
- The Sumatran tiger is a critically endangered species of tiger that is found only on the island of Sumatra in Indonesia. The Sumatran tiger is threatened by habitat loss, poaching, and the illegal wildlife trade.
- The black rhinoceros is a critically endangered species of rhinoceros that is found in Africa. The black rhinoceros is threatened by poaching, habitat loss, and the illegal wildlife trade.
- The giant panda is a vulnerable species of bear that is found in China. The giant panda is threatened by habitat loss, poaching, and the illegal wildlife trade.
- The blue whale is the largest animal on Earth and is listed as endangered on the Red List. The blue whale is threatened by hunting, ship strikes, and entanglement in fishing gear.
- The polar bear is a vulnerable species of bear that is found in the Arctic. The polar bear is threatened by climate change, which is causing the sea ice to melt, reducing the polar bear’s habitat and food supply.
These are just a few examples of the many species that are currently threatened with extinction. The Red List is a valuable tool for conservationists and policymakers, and it helps to raise awareness of the threats facing species around the world.
Here are some frequently asked questions about the Red Data Book:
What is the Red Data Book?
The Red Data Book is a publication of the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) that lists species of plants and animals that are threatened with extinction.What are the categories in the Red Data Book?
The Red Data Book is divided into three categories:- Extinct (EX): A species is extinct when there is no reasonable doubt that the last individual has died.
- Extinct in the Wild (EW): A species is extinct in the wild when the last individual has died in the wild, but there may be individuals in captivity or cultivation.
- Critically Endangered (CR): A species is critically endangered when it is facing an extremely high risk of extinction in the wild in the immediate future.
- Endangered (EN): A species is endangered when it is facing a very high risk of extinction in the wild in the near future.
- Vulnerable (VU): A species is vulnerable when it is facing a high risk of extinction in the wild in the medium-term future.
- Near Threatened (NT): A species is near threatened when it is not currently threatened with extinction, but is close to qualifying for a threatened category.
- Least Concern (LC): A species is least concern when it is not currently threatened with extinction and is not likely to become threatened in the near future.
- Data Deficient (DD): A species is data deficient when there is not enough information to assess its risk of extinction.
What is the purpose of the Red Data Book?
The Red Data Book is a valuable tool for conservationists and policymakers. It helps to identify species that are most at risk of extinction and to prioritize conservation efforts. The Red Data Book also provides information on the status of species, their threats, and conservation measures that are being taken.How is the Red Data Book updated?
The Red Data Book is updated regularly as new information becomes available. The IUCN Red List Committee, which is made up of experts from around the world, is responsible for reviewing the status of species and making recommendations for changes to the Red Data Book.What can I do to help protect endangered species?
There are many things you can do to help protect endangered species. You can:- Learn about endangered species and the threats they face.
- Support conservation organizations that are working to protect endangered species.
- Make choices in your everyday life that are sustainable and help to protect the environment.
- Contact your elected officials and let them know that you care about endangered species and want them to take action to protect them.
Question 1
Which of the following is NOT a category in the Red Data Book?
(A) Extinct
(B) Extinct in the Wild
(C) Critically Endangered
(D) Near Threatened
(E) Data Deficient
Answer
(D) Near Threatened
Question 2
Which of the following is NOT a threat to species extinction?
(A) Habitat loss
(B) Overexploitation
(C) Climate change
(D) Pollution
(E) Disease
Answer
(E) Disease
Question 3
What is the most common threat to species extinction?
(A) Habitat loss
(B) Overexploitation
(C) Climate change
(D) Pollution
(E) Disease
Answer
(A) Habitat loss
Question 4
What is the IUCN?
(A) The International Union for Conservation of Nature
(B) The World Wildlife Fund
(C) The Nature Conservancy
(D) The Sierra Club
(E) Greenpeace
Answer
(A) The International Union for Conservation of Nature
Question 5
What is the Red Data Book?
(A) A publication of the IUCN that lists species of plants and animals that are threatened with extinction
(B) A publication of the World Wildlife Fund that lists species of plants and animals that are threatened with extinction
(C) A publication of the Nature Conservancy that lists species of plants and animals that are threatened with extinction
(D) A publication of the Sierra Club that lists species of plants and animals that are threatened with extinction
(E) A publication of Greenpeace that lists species of plants and animals that are threatened with extinction
Answer
(A) A publication of the IUCN that lists species of plants and animals that are threatened with extinction