Red Data Book
Species which are considered threatened are listed by various organisations including some private organisations, likewise, Red Data Book is published by the International Union for Conservation of Nature and Natural resources (IUCN) and provides information on research, studies and also helps in monitoring the program on rare and threatened species. Red Data Book was first issued in 1966, and it is continually updated by IUCN which is based on Morges, Switzerland. Red in the name of the book is symbolic of danger which is experienced by the plants and animals across the globe.
Red Data Book
- It contains Red, Pink and Green Pages.
- Red signifies the danger.
- Pink pages in the Red Data Book signify Critically Endangered Species.
- Green Pages show those species which were previously endangered but now has recovered to such a level that they are no longer threatened/ endangered and over the period of time the no. of green pages has kept on decreasing, while Pink Pages have kept on increasing.
- IUCN focuses on the re-evaluation of every species every 5 years if possible, or at least every 10 years and this is done in peer-reviewed (evaluation of work by one or more people of similar competence) manner through IUCN Species Survival Commission (SSC) Specialist Groups.
The goal of IUCN Red List
- It aims to provide information and analyse status, trends, threats to species in order to conserve the Biodiversity which is essential for the existence of life on earth since each single species have an important role to play.
Strategy to achieve the Goal
- A baseline to be established from which the change in the status of species can be monitored.
- A global context should be provided for the establishment of the conservation priorities at the local level and the representative selection of species should be continuously monitored.
The Red List assessment work of IUCN is coordinated by the staff of the Global Species program and the work is supported through Global Species Assessment Project, and through partnership with other organizations, such as BirdLife International, Conservation International, Nature Serve, Texas A&M University, the Royal Botanic Gardens Kew, Botanical Gardens Conservation International etc.