Bridging the research-implementation gap in IUCN Red List assessments

The International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Red List of Threatened Species is central in biodiversity conservation, but insufficient resources hamper its long-term growth, updating, and consistency. Models or automated calculations can alleviate those challenges by providing standardised estimates required for assessments, or prioritising species for (re-)assessments. However, while numerous scientific papers have proposed such methods, few have been integrated into assessment practice, highlighting a critical research–implementation gap. We believe this gap can be bridged by fostering communication and collaboration between academic researchers and Red List practitioners, and by developing and maintaining user-friendly platforms to automate application of the methods. We propose that developing methods better encompassing Red List criteria, systems, and drivers is the next priority to support the Red List. © 2021 Elsevier Ltd

Authors

Cazalis, V.,Di, Marco, M.,Butchart, S.H.M.,Akçakaya, H.R.,González-Suárez, M.,Meyer, C.,Clausnitzer, V.,Böhm, M.,Zizka, A.,Cardoso, P.,Schipper, A.M.,Bachman, S.P.,Young, B.E.,Hoffmann, M.,Benítez-López, A.,Lucas, P.M.,Pettorelli, N.,Patoine, G.,Pacifici, M.,Jörger-Hickfang, T.,Brooks, T.M.,Rondinini, C.,Hill, S.L.L.,Visconti, P.,Santini, L.

Publication year

2022

Resilient Landscapes is powered by CIFOR-ICRAF. Our mission is to connect private and public actors in co-beneficial landscapes; provide evidence-based business cases for nature-based solutions and green economy investments; leverage and de-risk performance-driven investments with combined financial, social and environmental returns.

Learn more about Resilient Landscapes Luxembourg

2026 All rights reserved    Privacy notice