Role of IUCN in Conservation (Cambridge International A-Level Biology)

Role of IUCN & CITES in Conservation

Spec point — 18.3.6 · outline the role in conservation of the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) and the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES)

• 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 described as “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

  • The IUCN has its own classification system
  • There are several different categories and levels that a species can fall into depending on their population numbers and the threats and risks to those populations
  • Scientists use data and modelling to estimate which category each species should be in

• 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

CITES

• The Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Flora and Fauna (CITES) is a global agreement that has been signed by over 150 countries

• Its aim is to control the trade of endangered species and their associated products

  • For example, elephants and their ivory tusks

• CITES categorises endangered and vulnerable species into three appendices:

  • Appendix I : species that are endangered and face the greatest risk of extinction(for example, the red panda)
  • Appendix II: species that are not currently endangered or facing extinction, but will be unless trade is closely controlled (for example, the venus fly trap)
  • Appendix III: species included at request of the country that is regulating trade of the species and trying to prevent its overexploitation(for example, the two-toed sloth in Costa Rica)

• There are different trading regulations that apply to each appendix:

  • For species in appendix I: all trade in the species and their associated products is banned
  • For species in appendix II: trade is only granted if an export permit has been issued by the involved countries
  • For species in appendix III: permits are required for regulated trade. Permits are easier to come by for species in this appendix

• Scientists are continuously adding new species and reviewing the status of species already in the database

• There are several concerns about the efficacy of CITES listings

  • When the trade of a certain endangered species becomes illegal, its price increases
  • The increased economic value of the species can be a major incentive for people to break the law