International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) and the IUCN Red List. International Union for Conservation of Nature - IUCN Conservation of Ecosystem Integrity

The problems of barbaric use of forests, land irrigation and the disappearance of species and populations of animals to one degree or another are facing every country today. That is why, back in the middle of the last century, a global environmental structure was created, operating on a non-profit basis.

The Conservation of Nature and Natural Resources carries out special work on planning and implementing environmental protection measures, has a multi-stage system and brings together more than one thousand experts working around the world. Let's get to know this organization better.

IUCN scope

The oldest and most independent body, the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) has been in operation for 77 years, operating since 1948. The Union's program of activities is regulated by the World Environmental Strategy adopted in 1979. With advisory status to UNESCO, ECOSOC and FAO, IUCN includes 78 countries, almost 900 government and public organizations, more than 12,000 scientists and experts from 181 countries. The Union publishes the Red Book, popular science literature, serial and special issues. Located in Gland, Switzerland, the union's headquarters has never changed its location.

International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN): mission

The unequivocal name defines the main idea of ​​the IUCN:

Providing effective assistance to the environmental movement in preserving the uniqueness, integrity and characteristics of various natural complexes;

Ensuring legal and reasonable consumption of natural resources that does not violate the environmental sustainability of the planet as a whole.

Having observer status at the UN General Assembly, IUCN cooperates not only with intergovernmental institutions, but is ready for dialogue with any association seeking to conserve resources.

Organizational goals

The main goals of the creation of IUCN are:

Combating the extinction of species and the decline in biological (species) diversity;

Preservation of existing ecosystems intact;

Monitoring the wise use of resources.

The International Union for Conservation of Nature and Natural Resources strives to unite joint efforts and apply progressive scientific knowledge in environmental activities.

By implementing established international conventions, IUCN assists various countries in the development and implementation of national strategies, environmental measures and plans.

Structure

IUCN is the International Union for Conservation of Nature and its members include:

States;

Government agencies;

Public organizations;

Non-profit associations.

The activities of the union are coordinated by the Governing Council, elected by organizations that are members of IUCN. The work of the union is carried out within the framework of six commissions and is carried out mainly by unpaid volunteers. The strategy and activity program of the association is adjusted every four years by member organizations. IUCN projects are funded by governments, international funds, various associations and corporations, as well as members of the union.

IUCN Activities

The multifaceted work of the union has several directions. Here are the main ones:

Coverage of the problems of planet Earth and the search for their solutions;

Conducting monitoring and scientific research;

Publications of news and articles by experienced experts of global importance;

Organization of various world-class events, for example, World Park Congresses, etc.

Scientific research and its focus

The International Union for Conservation of Nature strives to apply the scientific and practical potential that exists today for conservation purposes. species diversity and supporting sustainable consumption of forest resources.

The priority is the development of a consistent policy on forest conservation in the implementation of political decisions. IUCN provides advice to a variety of forestry-related companies. The adopted program of the Union for the conservation of forests on the planet coordinates work on the protection, restoration and sustainable but reasonable use of them. As time has shown, lessons learned from active field research are used in policy decisions at different levels of government.

A paper on the Aspects of a Sustainable Earth Strategy, published jointly with WWF and UNEP in 1991, sets out basic criteria applied to specific projects that integrate issues such as environmental needs with the needs of the population.

How does IUCN work?

The activities of the association are carried out in six directions, within the framework determined by the commissions:

On species survival. This Commission maintains Red Lists, develops recommendations for the conservation of endangered species and applies them in practice.

In environmental law. Promotes the promotion and adoption of environmental laws, development modern mechanisms jurisprudence necessary for environmental purposes.

On environmental, economic and social policy. Provides qualified expert assistance in resolving policy issues taken in accordance with regional socio-economic factors.

In education and communications. Develops strategies for using communications to promote conservation and sustainable consumption of resources.

On ecosystem management. Evaluates the management of natural (natural) and artificially created ecosystems.

World Commission on Protected Areas.

International Union for Conservation of Nature in Russia

Our country did not stand aside. As part of the adopted European program, since 1991, an operating office for the Commonwealth countries has been opened in the capital, which subsequently grew into a representative office.

The creation of this structure in Russia will make it possible to achieve the implementation of high-quality security projects across the vast territory of Russia and the CIS.

The representative offices are:

All-round conservation forest areas, their rational consumption;

Maintaining biodiversity of flora and fauna;

Creation and subsequent maintenance of environmental protection on the Eurasian territory;

Protection of endangered, unique and rarely encountered species of representatives of the natural community;

Development of rational and sustainable agricultural production;

Development of the Arctic program.

Institutions representing Russia in the IUCN

The International Union for Conservation of Nature and Natural Resources (IUCN) is represented by many countries. Our country in the union today is represented by:

Ministry of the Russian Federation for Natural Resources and Ecology.

Ecocenter "Reserves".

World Wildlife Fund.

Wildlife Conservation Center.

Society of Naturalists in St. Petersburg.

Wild Animal Fund in Khabarovsk.

How to become a member of IUCN

Membership in IUCN is an honor and must be justified and supported by relevant activities. In order to achieve this, you need to:

Have the status of a state, public or scientific research organization whose activities pursue environmental goals: prudent use of resources and maintaining a sustainable natural balance.

Compose and submit an application for membership in IUCN.

Wait for an answer. The International Union for Conservation of Nature evaluates contributions made to nature conservation and the compliance of the organization's work with the goals of the union.

If approval is received, the organization receives access to the Internet portal, publications and takes part in consulting or expert work.

Please note that only organizations can apply for membership in IUCN. But individual experts can also act as members of commissions.

The publication of the Red Book is one of the achievements of the IUCN

The most well-known aspect of IUCN's activities, which is overseen by the Species Survival Commission, is the publication of the Red Book. Since 1966, it has been published periodically. With the passage of time and changes in the situation, its publications are updated, representing an extensive catalog of animal populations and species, classified according to the degree of threat of extinction. It also gives an assessment of the state of the species for the current period and predicts subsequent dynamics - negative or positive. The publication of each issue is preceded by an in-depth analysis of the state of nature. For example, analytical work carried out by the IUCN in 2000 noted the negative dynamics of the impoverishment of the world's fauna. It is noted that over the past four hundred years the planet has lost almost 700 species, and 33 have disappeared in wildlife, preserved only in culture. The peak of this destructive process occurred at the end of the 20th century and continues to this day.

Unfortunately, the forecasts for the future are even more dire. According to in-depth research by IUCN specialists, almost 5.5 thousand different species are on the verge of extinction. The Red Book of the International Union for Conservation of Nature is a document that served as a significant impetus for the emergence of national and regional Red Lists that raise problems environment in limited areas. The work done to preserve habitats is invaluable. That is why the International Union for Conservation of Nature and Natural Resources is a vital association that restrains the destructive work of man against himself.

Introduction.

International environmental organizations play a huge role at this stage of social development. Their creation was caused by catastrophic changes in the environment; they were designed to protect nature and, in essence, must save, first of all, man himself.

I believe that with the help of all these international environmental organizations, a person protects, first of all, himself from the results of his own activities. After all, loud statements that a global catastrophe is approaching and that if we do not take measures to save the environment, life on the planet will perish, to put it mildly, are not true. No matter what happens, life on the planet will not die. After all, over the 5 billion years of its existence, our Earth has experienced not such catastrophes. And even if a nuclear war happened now, Life, even in the form of bacteria and spores, would still survive. And in hundreds of millions of years it will be reborn again in no less diversity than now

But people won’t see this anymore...

Thus, if we want to survive, then first of all we must take care of the world around us, and we can only do this together. And the first steps in this direction are the activities of various international environmental organizations.

Now in the world there are a huge number of different organizations, associations, forums that set themselves the goal of protecting nature. However, oddly enough, we often have no idea what this or that organization does, and many have never even heard of most of them. In this work I will look at one of the oldest and most effectively working of all existing environmental organizations - IUCN– International Union for Conservation of Nature.

Brief description of the organization.

IUCN - International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN - The World Conservation Union, European Programme, Office for CIS), founded in 1948 at the initiative of UNESCO, is the world's oldest and largest independent, international, non-profit organization. Publishes the Red Book, serial issues, for example: "List national parks and equivalent reserves." Supreme Authority- General Assembly. Since 1979, the official IUCN Program document is the World Conservation Strategy (developed in 1978). Has consultative status with UNESCO, ECOSOC, FAO. The union unites 78 sovereign states, 112 government agencies, 735 non-governmental organizations, 35 associate members and approximately 12 thousand scientists and experts from 181 countries.

IUCN Mission:

Lead and contribute to the global conservation movement to support the integrity and conservation of wildlife diversity and ensure human use of natural resources in a sustainable and wise manner.

In accordance with its mission, IUCN is ready to constructively cooperate with any organization that seeks to conserve nature and natural resources. Our main goal is to improve environmental protection, regardless of the satisfaction of political and social ambitions.
IUCN has observer status with the UN General Assembly and also maintains close working relationships with many intergovernmental organizations and programs, especially UNESCO, FAO, UNDP and UNEP.

IUCN Objectives:

Combating the extinction crisis:

The extinction crisis and the enormous loss of biodiversity are perceived as a global concern and responsibility, leading to action to reduce losses of intraspecific, interspecific and ecosystem biodiversity

Preserving the integrity of ecosystems:

Support and restore, as appropriate, ecosystems and ensure that natural resources are used sustainably and wisely

Through international conventions, IUCN has assisted more than 75 countries in preparing and implementing national environmental strategies and action plans. The IUCN Secretariat employs approximately 1,000 staff, most of whom are located in 60 regional and country offices located in 42 countries. About 100 people work globally at IUCN headquarters in Gland, Switzerland.
Since its inception, IUCN has been committed to facilitating collaborative efforts and promoting the use of scientific knowledge in environmental decision-making. IUCN's activities range from the conservation of endangered species to protected natural areas and ecosystem management to environmental legislation and social policy. IUCN is committed to ensuring that environmental decision-making is based strictly on science, using the latest scientific developments.

Main directions of scientific research.

IUCN - International Union for Conservation of Nature - strives to use the full potential of world science and practice of the environmental movement to preserve biological diversity and maintain sustainable use of forest resources.

Global Program IUCN Forest Conservation coordinates and guides the forest conservation efforts of the IUCN Secretariat and members. Forest conservation involves protecting, restoring and managing forest resources so that forests provide a wide potential range of goods and services.

The program promotes policy implementation at different levels and uses field research to draw lessons that can be used to inform policy decisions. The principles set out in the brochure "Caring for the Earth. A Strategy for Sustainable Living", published in 1991. in collaboration with the World Wildlife Fund (WWF) and the United Nations Environment Program (UNEP), are applied to specific projects that integrate both environmental conservation needs and the needs of local communities.

One of the main areas of work is the development of coherent and informed policies on forest conservation to translate political decisions into effective actions. IUCN often advises large organizations working on forest issues to ensure that forest conservation priorities are taken into account in their projects and programs. The forest conservation program receives financial support from the governments of the Netherlands, Canada, and the USA.

To improve the financing and implementation of environmental projects in Russia and other CIS countries within the framework of the European regional program by decision General Director IUCN opened a Moscow office for the CIS countries in 1994, and an IUCN Representative Office for the CIS countries in 1999.

The priority areas of work of the Representative Office for the next five years are:

• conservation of forest biodiversity and rational use forests;
• creation of an ecological network Northern Eurasia;
• conservation of rare and endangered species;
• development of sustainable agricultural practices;
• Arctic program.

Creation of the Red Book.

Since 1966, the IUCN Species Survival Commission, in collaboration with other environmental organizations, has published issues of the international Red Book dedicated to various systematic groups animals of the world or regional fauna (Fish, Amphibians and Reptiles, Birds, Mammals of America and Australasia, Invertebrates, Swallowtail Butterflies, etc.).

Great importance had IUCN published in 1988, 1990, 1993 and 1996. Red lists of endangered animals ( IUCN Red List of Threatened Animals), as well as the Red List of Threatened Species ( 2000 IUCN Red List of Threatened Species). The International IUCN Red List is a periodically updated global catalog of species, subspecies and populations of animals, classified into endangered category sheets, indicating the main criteria for assessing their status. An analysis of the process of depletion of the world's fauna, given in the International Red List (2000), shows that over the past four centuries, 83 species of mammals, 128 of birds, 21 of reptiles, 5 of amphibians, 81 of fish, 291 of mollusks, have completely disappeared from the face of the planet. 8 - crustaceans, 72 - insects, 3 - onychophorans, and 1 - turbellarian. In addition, 33 species of animals (mostly fish and shellfish) disappeared in the wild, and were preserved only in culture. This destructive process began to manifest itself with greatest force at the end of the last century and is still ongoing. 1,130 species of mammals, 1,183 of birds, 296 of reptiles, 146 of amphibians, 751 of fish, 938 of mollusks, 408 of crustaceans, 10 of arachnids, 555 of insects, and about 20 other species of invertebrate animals are at risk of extinction. The publication of the first issues of the International Red Book gave a powerful impetus to the creation of national and regional Red Books and lists. Nowadays, many countries in Europe, Central Asia have such publications, South-East Asia, USA, South America, South Africa, as well as Australia, New Zealand, Japan, Korea, etc.

The aim of the system is to provide a clear and objective basis for classifying species according to their risk of extinction.

1) identification of taxonomic groups with a high risk of extinction (at the national, regional and global levels);

2) assistance in determining priorities and forming security policies at the level of local regions, countries and the world;

3) forming an objective long-term basis for comparing the future status of global biodiversity.

Main organizational task protection of rare and endangered species - their inventory and accounting both on a planetary scale and in individual countries. Without this, it is impossible to begin either the theoretical development of the problem or practical recommendations to save certain species. This task is complex, and back in the 60-70s of the twentieth century, the first attempts were made to compile regional and then global summaries of rare and endangered species of animals and birds. However, the information was either too laconic and contained only a list of rare species, or, on the contrary, very cumbersome, containing all the available data on biology and setting out the historical picture of the reduction of their ranges.

In 1948, the International Union for Conservation of Nature and Natural Resources united and led the work of state, scientific and public organizations in most countries of the world to protect wildlife. Among his first decisions in 1949 was the creation of a permanent Species Survival Commission, which in Russian-language literature is usually called the Commission on Rare Species.

The commission was supposed to study the state of rare species of animals and plants that are endangered, develop and prepare draft international and international conventions and treaties for their protection, draw up an inventory of such species and make appropriate recommendations for their protection.

The first chairman of the commission was S. Boyle, who was soon replaced by Sir Peter Scott, who headed the commission until 1978. The most authoritative scientists from various countries: J. Dorst (France), G. Coolidge, L. Talbot (USA), R. Fitter, N. Simon, F. Fraser-Darling (England), V. Grzimek (Germany), K. Currie-Lindahl (Sweden ), D. Kuenen (Netherlands), D. Pimlott, W. Fuller (Canada), J. Zhabinsky (Poland) and others. From the Soviet Union, professors G.P. were elected to the commission. Dementyev (1956), A.G. Bannikov (1960), V.G. Heptner (1966).

The commission began its work literally from scratch, since even a clear concept of a “rare species” did not exist. It was necessary to work out general principles approach to the protection of rare species, identify species that are in real danger of extinction or extermination, develop a system for their classification, collect extensive information on biology in order to identify the main limiting factors.

One of the goals of the commission was to create a global annotated list (list) of animal species that, for one reason or another, are in danger of extinction. To emphasize the special significance of this list, it was necessary to give it a capacious and memorable name. Sir Peter Scott suggested calling it the Red Data Book. Red is a danger signal, and this is where it came in handy.

It took fourteen years of hard work to prepare the first version of the Red Book. They decided to publish it in the form of typewritten sheets bound together, like a desk calendar, with each type given a separate page. Separate sections of such sheets reflected, in addition to the name of the species and its place in the system, current and past distribution, status, total numbers, basic information about reproduction in nature, reasons for the decline in numbers, characteristics of conservation measures - both existing and proposed, the number of animals kept in zoos, breeding potential in captivity and references. Information about endangered species was given on red sheets, about the rest - on white sheets. A number of sheets were also supplied with distribution maps.

The first “pilot” edition of the IUCN Red List was published in 1963 in two volumes, which included information on 211 species and subspecies of mammals and 312 species and subspecies of birds. The circulation was insignificant, and the Red Book was sent to a list of prominent statesmen and scientists. As new information accumulated, additional sheets were sent to recipients to replace outdated ones.

Its bulkiness (format 29.5x21.0 cm), limited circulation, and incomplete information made it an insufficiently effective tool in animal rescue work. Therefore, preparation of the second edition began soon.

Three volumes of the second edition of the book were published in 1966-1971. Now it had a “book” format (21.0 x 14.5 cm) in the form of a thick flip calendar, any sheet of which could be replaced with a new one. The book was also not intended for wide sale; it was sent out to a list of environmental institutions, organizations and scientists.

The number of species included in the second edition of the IUCN Red Book has increased significantly, as additional information was collected during its preparation. The first volume included information about 236 species (292 subspecies) of mammals, the second - about 287 species (341 subspecies) of birds, and the third - about 119 species and subspecies of reptiles and 34 species and subspecies of amphibians.

For this publication, the classification of rare animal status categories was revised and the following four categories were established:

1. Endangered(Endangered) – rapidly decreasing in number; rescue is impossible without special security measures.

2. Declining or threatened(Vulnerable) - still found in quantities sufficient for survival, but whose numbers continue to decline rapidly and steadily.

3. Rare(Rare) - not endangered, but found in such small numbers or in such limited areas that they may soon disappear if the situation changes.

4. Undefined(Indeterminate) - little-known, obviously endangered, the lack of information about which does not allow us to reliably assess the state of their populations and assign them to any of the first three categories.

Information about the forms of the first category was printed on red sheets, information about the second - on yellow, and the third - on white, information about the forms of the fourth category was given on gray sheets in the form of an annotated list.

Already in the process of working on the second edition, it became clear that some of the species included in it can be considered saved from extinction, which is obviously the merit of the Red Book. It was decided not to exclude them from the Red Book, but to provide information on green sheets as species of a special category - restored(Out of danger or Restored). Thus, the Red Book became not only a danger signal and a work program, but also the first result of these works!

Gradually, the IUCN Red Book was improved and expanded. The third edition of 1972 included information on 528 species and subspecies of mammals, 619 species of birds and 153 species and subspecies of reptiles and amphibians. The headings of individual sheets have also been changed. The first section is devoted to the characteristics of the status and current state species, subsequent ones - geographical distribution, population structure and abundance, characteristics of habitats, current and proposed protection measures, characteristics of animals kept in zoos, sources of information (literature). The book went on sale, and as a result its circulation was sharply increased.

The latest, fourth “standard” edition, published in 1978-1980, includes 226 species and 79 subspecies of mammals, 181 species and 77 subspecies of birds, 77 species and 21 subspecies of reptiles, 35 species and 5 subspecies of amphibians, 168 species and 25 subspecies of fish . Among them are 7 restored species and subspecies of mammals, 4 birds, 2 species of reptiles! The reduction in the number of forms in the latest edition of the Red Book was not only due to successful protection, but also as a result of more accurate information received. It should be noted that new species have also appeared in the Red Book, although their number is small.

Work on the IUCN Red List continues. In principle, there cannot be a “last” version of it. This is a permanent document, since the living conditions of animals are constantly changing and more and more new species may find themselves in a catastrophic situation. At the same time, the efforts made by man bear good fruit, as evidenced by its green leaves.

In the preparation of materials and the implementation of the very idea of ​​the Red Book, new trends and approaches emerged and prevailed. Since 1981, the IUCN Rare Species Commission began publishing the IUCN Red Book books, not in the form of a desk calendar, but typographically bound, fully adapted not only to summarizing information about rare species and their protection, but also for commercial use (at a very high price ). At least 10 volumes of such books were published between 1981 and 1991. In addition to IUCN, other international organizations also take part in their preparation and publication. The World Environment Monitoring Center in Cambridge plays an important role. The books themselves have authorship, unlike the “faceless” IUCN Red Books of the previous period. The principle of constructing the publication as a whole is geographically systematic (for example, “Rare Primates of Africa”, 1988). Individual books vary sharply in volume, some are very voluminous (up to 760 pages), and some are more “modest” (about 150 pages). In essence, this is a monographic description of rare species, based on computer processing of all available materials and presented in the form of “Red Book” sheets. Status categories are still in the old version of the IUCN; the summary provides a general description of the species (subspecies). The publication is not regulated by specific deadlines and it is almost impossible for us Russians to obtain a complete set in the future. Hence the publication's lower value for us. Now this work continues everywhere and regional Red Books (of individual territorial entities) are published.

The second branch of the Red Book idea is the emergence of a completely new form of information about rare animals in the form of the publication of the “Red List of Threatened Species” (IUCN Red List of Threatened Animals). They are also published under the auspices of the IUCN, but officially and practically they are not a version of the Red Book, they are not analogous to it, although they are close to it. Such lists were published in 1988, 1990, 1994 and 1996, 1998. It was assumed that in the future the interval between releases would be two years, but this sequence has already been broken. The publication is carried out by the World Environment Monitoring Center with the participation of more than a thousand members of the IUCN Commission on Rare Species. The format of the first two editions was 24.0x16.6 cm, the second two and, probably, subsequent ones were slightly larger - 29.5x21.0 cm.

The classification of material for each species is fundamentally different from that in the IUCN Red Books and includes only the scientific (Latin) name of the species, English name, description of geographical distribution (states where the species lives are indicated) and status category. Thus, the use of such Lists is extremely limited. It should be added that due to a distinct lack of knowledge of Russian-language literature, the Lists give a somewhat distorted picture of the state of rare species in our country and are not identical to the IUCN Red Book (this was specially emphasized in the first issue of the List, 1990). When quoting them, you should make an appropriate reference to the list. Positive quality These Lists have strict periodicity and a short interval between new editions.

Almost simultaneously with the beginning of the publication of the Lists, that is, in 1989, on the initiative of the IUCN Commission on Rare Species, a revision of the system of categories of status of rare species of animals, which was the basis of all the red books of the world and which existed without changes for more than 30 years, began. The main tasks in developing new criteria were the requirement to provide a clearly defined metric and objective framework for classifying species according to the degree of extinction risk, to clarify the objectivity of the criteria used in the assessment various factors associated with the risk of extinction, provide a system of comparison within taxa of various sizes and thereby give specialists an understanding of the essence of the criteria for classifying rare species.

A new system of status categories was developed by the IUCN Rare Species Commission from 1989 to 1994. It was repeatedly revised, supplemented and clarified, and was finally approved and adopted at the fortieth meeting of the IUCN Council on November 30, 1994, after which it acquired the status of an international recommendation, and all publications in one way or another related to the activities of the IUCN unconditionally adopted it.

Edition "Red List of Threatened Species" carried out Worldwide monitoring center environment in Cambridge (UK) with the participation of more than a thousand members of the IUCN Rare Species Commission.

Structural basis new system form two main blocks : a) endangered taxa and b) low-risk (LC) taxa.

The first block is divided into three categories:

■taxa in critical condition (CR)

■endangered taxa (EN)

■taxa in vulnerability (VU)

These three categories are the main ones that warn of the seriousness of the loss of representatives of the taxon in the near future. It is they who make up the main body of taxa included in the Red Books of various ranks.

The second block includes representatives who do not belong to any of the categories of the first group and consists of the following categories:

■taxa depending on the degree and measures of protection (CD)

■taxa close to becoming endangered (NT)

■minimal risk taxa (LC)

Two more categories that are not directly related to security issues stand somewhat apart:

■taxa that have completely disappeared (EX)

■taxa preserved only in captivity (EW)

The new system of categories is largely objective, has a convincing structure and form, and cannot be dismissed. At the same time, for practical use it may be too complicated, and in a number of sections it is not indisputable.

The criteria by which species are included in one category or another are quite diverse, but are determined on the basis of quantitative indicators. The range of the set of criteria that determines the inclusion of a species in the appropriate category is also quite wide and includes such indicators as, for example: characteristics of the state and changes (decrease) in population size in absolute numbers, percentages and time parameters; characteristics of the dynamics and structure of the habitat (area, pulsation, degree of fragmentation) in absolute terms (the same criterion also includes a quantitative assessment of the habitats necessary for the species and their condition and dynamics), many other characteristics. It is important to emphasize that compliance with any of the criteria already serves as the basis for inclusion of a taxon in the corresponding status category, although in principle each taxon should be assessed according to the maximum number of criteria. It should also be borne in mind that the criteria can be applied at the taxonomic level no higher than the species, which does not exclude the possibility of covering subspecies and even populations with the system.

So overall traditional system status categories turned out to be noticeably expanded. Undoubtedly, this approach to the categorization of rare species has its own, and very significant, rational grain. However, it also contains a number of ambiguous postulates and decisions, which should be emphasized especially when considering the Red Book of Russia, the formation of which coincided with the birth of a new scale of status categories.

The IUCN Red Book, like the Red Sheets, is not a legally binding document, but is for advisory purposes only. These documents cover animal world on a global scale and contain recommendations for protection addressed to countries and governments in whose territory a threatening situation has developed for animals. These recommendations inevitably, precisely because of their global scale, are of the most general, approximate nature. Therefore, national Red Books, which can take into account specific circumstances and plan protective measures with much greater clarity, have become a necessary addition to the IUCN Red Book. to a greater extent accuracy, efficiency and reality.

There are interstate (for example, the Red Book of the CIS member states), national (on a state scale), territorial (for example, the Red Book of the North Far East) and subject red books. National red books do not replace, but complement the IUCN Red Book. They were created in a number of countries in Europe, Asia and America, in Australia and in our country.

It should be mentioned that the idea of ​​​​creating national red books has not found unambiguous understanding in all countries. For example, in the USA the Red Book does not exist as such, but its role is played by the Act on the Protection of Rare Species of Animals and Plants, adopted by Parliament and which is a legal document, but does not contain scientific information. The decision to remove restored species from the Act is also made by Parliament.

Red Book- an annotated list of rare and endangered or extinct animals, plants and fungi.

The Red Book is the main document that summarizes materials on the current state of rare and endangered species of plants and animals, on the basis of which scientific and practical measures are developed aimed at their protection, reproduction and rational use.

The Red Book includes species of plants and animals that constantly or temporarily grow, or live in natural conditions in a certain territory (mainly the territory of a single country), and are in danger of extinction. Species of animals and plants listed in the Red Book are subject to special protection throughout the entire individual territory covered by a specific edition of the Red Book.

There are red books various levels- international, national and regional.

IUCN Red List

Gradually, the IUCN Red Book was improved and expanded. The third edition, volumes of which began to appear in 1972, included information about 528 species and subspecies of mammals, 619 species of birds and 153 species and subspecies of reptiles and amphibians. The headings of individual sheets have also been changed. The first section is devoted to characterizing the status and current state of the species, the subsequent sections are devoted to geographic distribution, population structure and numbers, habitat characteristics, current and proposed conservation measures, characteristics of animals kept in zoos, and sources of information (literature). The book went on sale, and in connection with this its circulation was sharply increased.

The latest, fourth “standard” edition, published in the 1980s, includes 226 species and 79 subspecies of mammals, 181 species and 77 subspecies of birds, 77 species and 21 subspecies of reptiles, 35 species and 5 subspecies of amphibians, 168 species and 25 subspecies of fish. Among them are 7 restored species and subspecies of mammals, 4 of birds, 2 species of reptiles. The reduction in the number of forms in the latest edition of the Red Book was not only due to successful conservation, but also as a result of more accurate information obtained in recent years.

Work on the IUCN Red List continues. This is a permanent document, since the living conditions of animals are changing and more and more new species may find themselves in a catastrophic situation. At the same time, the efforts made by man yield good results, as evidenced by its green leaves.

Red List of Threatened Species

The second branch of the “bifurcation” of the Red Book idea is the emergence of a completely new form of information about rare animals in the form of the publication “ Red List of Threatened Species"(English) IUCN Red List of Threatened Animals). They are also published under the auspices of the IUCN (International Union for Conservation of Nature), but officially and practically they are not a version of the Red Book, they are not analogous to it, although they are close to it. Such lists were published in , , , and 1998. Publishing is carried out World Environment Monitoring Center in Cambridge (UK) with the participation of more than a thousand members of the IUCN Rare Species Commission.

The structural basis of the new system is formed by two main blocks: a) endangered taxa and b) low-risk taxa (LC).

The first block is divided into three categories:

• Critically Endangered Taxa (CR, for Critically Endangered)
• Endangered taxa (EN, from Endangered)
• Vulnerable taxa (VU, from Vulnerable)

These three categories are the main ones that warn of the seriousness of the loss of representatives of the taxon in the near future. It is they who make up the main body of taxa included in the Red Books of various ranks.

The second block includes representatives who do not belong to any of the categories of the first group and consists of the following categories:

• Taxa close to vulnerable (NT, from Near Threatened)
• Taxa of Least Concern (LC, from Least Concern)

Previously, this block also included Conservation Dependent (CD) status, but since 2001 this status is no longer assigned - some taxa have been reclassified as Near Threatened (NT), some have been reclassified has not yet occurred and the status is preserved.

Two more categories that are not directly related to security issues stand somewhat apart:

• Extinct taxa (EX, from Extinct)
• Taxa extinct in the wild (EW, from Extinct in the Wild)

• Taxa for which there is insufficient data to assess the threat (DD, from Data Deficient)
• Taxa for which the threat has not been assessed (NE, from Not Evaluated)

The IUCN Red Book, like the Red Lists, is not a legal document, but is purely advisory in nature. It covers the animal world on a global scale and contains recommendations for protection addressed to countries and governments in whose territory a threatening situation has developed for animals. These recommendations inevitably, precisely because of their global scale, are of the most general, approximate nature.

Red Books of the World

Unlike most Red Books of both global and national levels, the inclusion of species in the Red Book of Russia, Belarus, Ukraine, Moldova and other post-Soviet countries automatically entails the emergence of legislative protection for these species. Since the Red Books in post-Soviet countries are legally significant documents, and practical guides and tools to protect rare species. In similar publications in other countries, adding a species to the Red Book does not always mean placing it under state protection.

In the United States, there is no Red Book as such; it is replaced by the Endangered Species Act, adopted in 1973. According to it, the construction of any structures is prohibited if it is proven that this will destroy the habitat of a rare species. Another difference in the law is that if the species subject to protection are difficult to distinguish from each other, then common species that are similar to rare ones are also subject to protection. The law prohibits trade in rare species, and also provides the United States with the opportunity to encourage, including financially, foreign countries to take measures to protect rare species.

The Red Book of Russia

“The Red Book of the Russian Federation” is an annotated list of rare and endangered animals, plants and fungi living on the territory of the Russian Federation.

Red Book of the International Union for Conservation of Nature This article is about the Red Book - a list of rare and endangered species. This term has other meanings, see Red Book (meanings)

Red Book- an annotated list of rare and endangered animals, plants and fungi. Red books come at different levels - international, national and regional.

The first organizational task of protecting rare and endangered species is their inventory and accounting both on a global scale and in individual countries. Without this, it is impossible to begin either the theoretical development of the problem or practical recommendations for saving individual species. The task is not simple, and 30-35 years ago the first attempts were made to compile first regional and then global summaries of rare and endangered species of animals and birds. However, the information was either too laconic and contained only a list of rare species, or, on the contrary, very cumbersome, since it included all available data on biology and presented a historical picture of the reduction of their ranges.

IUCN Red List

Editions of the WSOP Red Book

The first edition of the WSOP Red Book was published this year. This was a “pilot” publication with a small circulation. Its two volumes included information about 211 species and subspecies of mammals and 312 species and subspecies of birds. The Red Book was sent to a list of prominent statesmen and scientists. As new information accumulated, as planned, additional sheets were sent to the recipients to replace outdated ones.

Three volumes of the second edition of the book were published in - years. Now it had a “book” format (21.0 x 14.5 cm), but, like the first edition, it had the appearance of a thick flip calendar, any sheet of which could be replaced with a new one. The book was still not intended for wide sale; it was sent out to a list of environmental institutions, organizations and individual scientists. The number of species listed in the second edition of the WSOP Red Book has increased significantly as additional information has been collected over time. The first volume of the book included information about 236 species (292 subspecies) of mammals, the second - about 287 species (341 subspecies) of birds, and the third - about 119 species and subspecies of reptiles and 34 species and subspecies of amphibians.

Gradually, the VSOP Red Book was improved and replenished. The third edition, volumes of which began to be published in the year, included information about 528 species and subspecies of mammals, 619 species of birds and 153 species and subspecies of reptiles and amphibians. The headings of individual sheets have also been changed. The first section is devoted to characterizing the status and current state of the species, the subsequent sections are devoted to geographic distribution, population structure and numbers, habitat characteristics, current and proposed conservation measures, characteristics of animals kept in zoos, and sources of information (literature). The book went on sale, and in connection with this its circulation was sharply increased.

The latest, fourth “standard” edition, published in - includes 226 species and 79 subspecies of mammals, 181 species and 77 subspecies of birds, 77 species and 21 subspecies of reptiles, 35 species and 5 subspecies of amphibians, 168 species and 25 subspecies of fish. Among them are 7 restored species and subspecies of mammals, 4 of birds, 2 species of reptiles. The reduction in the number of forms in the latest edition of the Red Book was not only due to successful conservation, but also as a result of more accurate information obtained in recent years.

Work on the VSOP Red Book continues. This is a permanent document, since the living conditions of animals are constantly changing and more and more new species may find themselves in a catastrophic situation. At the same time, the efforts made by man yield good results, as evidenced by its green leaves.

Red List of Threatened Species

The second branch of the “bifurcation” of the Red Book idea is the emergence of a completely new form of information about rare animals in the form of the publication “ Red List of Threatened Species"(English) IUCN Red List of Threatened Animals ). They are also published under the auspices of the IUCN, but officially and practically they are not a version of the Red Book, they are not analogous to it, although they are close to it. Such lists were published in , , , and years. Publishing is carried out World Environment Monitoring Center in Cambridge (UK) with the participation of more than a thousand members of the IUCN Rare Species Commission.

The structural basis of the new system is formed by two main blocks: a) endangered taxa and b) low-risk taxa (LC).

The first block is divided into three categories:

• critically endangered (CR) taxa
• endangered taxa (EN)
• taxa in vulnerability (VU)

In fact, these three categories are the main ones that warn of the seriousness of the loss of representatives of the taxon in the near future. It is they who make up the main body of taxa included in the Red Books of various ranks.

The second block includes representatives who do not belong to any of the categories of the first group and consists of the following categories:

• taxa depending on the degree and measures of protection (CD)
• taxa close to becoming threatened (NT)
• minimal risk (LC) taxa

Two more categories that are not directly related to security issues stand somewhat apart:

• taxa that have completely disappeared (EX)
• taxa extant only in captivity (EW)

The IUCN Red Book, like the Red Lists, is not a legal document, but is purely advisory in nature. It covers the animal world on a global scale and contains recommendations for protection addressed to countries and governments in whose territory a threatening situation has developed for animals. These recommendations inevitably, precisely because of their global scale, are of the most general, approximate nature.

• See also IUCN Red List Categories and Criteria

Red Book of the USSR

Red Book of the USSR was published in August of this year. Its release was timed to coincide with the opening of the XIV General Assembly IUCN, held in the USSR (Ashgabat).

The Red Book of the USSR is divided into two parts. The first is dedicated to animals, the second to plants. The rubrication plan for sheets devoted to animals and plants is different.

The following categories are accepted for animals:

• name and systematic position of the species
• status category
• geographical distribution
• characteristics of habitats and their current state
• abundance in nature
• characteristics of the reproduction process
• competitors, enemies and diseases
• reasons for the change in numbers
• population in captivity
• characteristics of reproduction in captivity
• security measures taken
• necessary security measures
• information sources

All these sections are filled in for each species of rare animal. Thus, the information on each species is more diverse than in the IUCN Red List. But in the first edition of the Red Book of the USSR, a more simplified scale of status categories was adopted. Only two categories are considered:

• endangered species ( Category A)
• rare species ( Category B)

Category A primarily included species included in the IUCN Red Book (third edition) and living on the territory of the USSR (this principle was retained subsequently). In total, 62 species and subspecies of mammals were listed in the Red Book of the USSR (25 forms classified as category A and 37 - category B), 63 species of birds (26 species classified as category A and 37 - category B), 8 species of amphibians and 21 type of reptile. For each species, there is a drawing and a distribution map on the corresponding sheet.

The Red Book of the USSR itself did not have the force of a state legal act. At the same time, in accordance with the Regulations on the Red Book of the USSR, the inclusion of any species in it meant the establishment of a ban on its production and imposed responsibility on the relevant government bodies obligations to protect both the species itself and its habitats. In this aspect, the Red Book of the USSR was the basis for legislative protection of rare species. At the same time, it should be considered as a scientifically based program of practical measures to save rare species.

The Red Book of the USSR, like the IUCN Red Book, had to be replenished and refined in accordance with changes in the environmental situation in the country, the emergence of new knowledge about animals, and the improvement of methods of their protection. Therefore, immediately after the publication of the Red Book of the USSR (and possibly earlier), the collection of materials for its second edition began. Thanks to the exceptionally intensive work of a group of highly qualified specialists, the second edition was published six years after the first, in the year. It was fundamentally different from the first both in structure and volume of material.

The difference was primarily that the range of large animal taxa included in the new edition expanded significantly. In particular, in addition to the four classes of terrestrial vertebrates, it included fish, arthropods, mollusks and annelids. The Red Book of Plants was published as a separate volume. In addition, instead of two status categories, five were identified, as in the third edition of the IUCN Red Book, and the wording of the categories was practically borrowed from it:

• Category I - endangered species, the salvation of which is impossible without the implementation of special measures.
• Category II - species whose numbers are still relatively high, but are declining catastrophically quickly, which in the near future may put them at risk of extinction (that is, candidates for category I).
• Category III - rare species that are not currently in danger of extinction, but are found in such small numbers or in such limited areas that they may disappear if the habitat changes unfavorably under the influence of natural or anthropogenic factors.
• Category IV - species whose biology has not been sufficiently studied; their numbers and condition are alarming, but lack of information does not allow them to be classified in any of the first categories.
• Category V - restored species, the condition of which, thanks to the taken protection measures, no longer causes concern, but they are not yet subject to commercial use and their populations require constant monitoring.

A total of 223 taxa were included in this edition, including species, subspecies and populations of terrestrial vertebrates (the inclusion of subspecies and populations in this edition was also new). By coverage species composition fauna, these taxa were distributed as follows: mammals - 96 taxa, birds - 80, reptiles - 37 and amphibians - 9 taxa. In terms of status categories, the distribution was, in principle, quite uniform: of mammals, 21 taxa were classified in the first category, 20 in the second, 40 in the third, 11 in the fourth and 4 in the fifth category; from the class of birds there are 21, 24, 17, 14 and 4 taxa, respectively; from reptiles - 7, 7, 16, 6 and 1; from amphibians - 1, 6, and 2 (there were no taxa assigned to the fourth and fifth categories among amphibians).

This publication collected significant material on the biology of rare species, which is still used today. The same material largely formed the basis of the Republican Red Books, and later the Red Book of the Russian Federation. This edition of the Red Book of the USSR was published after the adoption of the Law “On the Protection and Use of Wildlife,” which meant the introduction of special measures for the protection of rare species.

Red Data Book of the Russian Federation

As a result of the collapse of the Soviet Union in the year, many regulatory legal acts have lost their legitimacy. After Russia became independent state and reform of the entire system of public administration in the field of environmental protection, the question arose of preparing the publication of the Red Book of the Russian Federation on a new political and administrative basis. Behind scientific basis The Red Book of the RSFSR was taken over from the Red Book of Russia, although it was a fundamentally new edition. The work on creating the Red Book of Russia was entrusted to the newly created Ministry of Natural Resources and Ecology of the Russian Federation. In the year, the Ministry created a Commission on Rare and Endangered Species of Animals and Plants, which involved leading experts in the field of protection of rare species from various institutions in Moscow and other cities.

Despite the fact that in 1992-1995 the name, structure and personnel of the ministry changed many times, the Commission on Rare Species carried out significant work. For example, it was decided to offer six status categories:

• 0 - probably disappeared. Taxa and populations previously known from the territory (or water area) of the Russian Federation and whose occurrence in nature has not been confirmed (for invertebrates - in the last 100 years, for vertebrates - in the last 50 years).
• 1 - endangered. Taxa and populations whose numbers of individuals have decreased to a critical level such that they may become extinct in the near future.
• 2 - declining in numbers. Taxa and populations with steadily declining numbers, which, with further exposure to factors reducing their numbers, can quickly fall into the category of endangered.
• 3 - rare. Taxa and populations that are small in number and distributed over a limited area (or water area) or sporadically distributed over large areas (water area).
• 4 - uncertain status. Taxa and populations that probably belong to one of the previous categories, but there is currently no sufficient information about their state in nature, or they do not fully meet the criteria of all other categories.
• 5 - recoverable and recoverable. Taxa and populations, the number and distribution of which are due to natural causes or as a result of measures taken protections have begun to recover and are approaching a state where they will no longer require urgent conservation and restoration measures.

Standard rules for compiling essays (sheets) by species (subspecies, populations) were developed, illustrative materials were regulated, and the lists of species recommended for inclusion in the Red Book of Russia were revised and supplemented. In total, according to the first option, 407 species (subspecies, populations) of animals were recommended, of which 155 species of invertebrates (including insects), 43 species of cyclostomes and fish, 8 species of amphibians, 20 species of reptiles, 118 species of birds and 63 species of mammals. 9 taxa were classified as extinct and 42 taxa were proposed for exclusion in comparison with the list of the Red Data Book of the RSFSR. In addition, a list of taxa requiring special control in nature was created. Essays (sheets) on individual taxa have been collected and edited. In general, the preparation of the manuscript was almost completed by 1995.

Regional Red Data Books in Russia

In the second half of the 1980s, the USSR began compiling regional books about rare species of animals and plants on the scale of republics, territories, regions, and autonomous districts. This was caused by the need for immediate protection of a number of species and forms of animals and plants, perhaps not rare in the country, but rare in certain regions, as well as the rapidly growing independence of local authorities in these years and the desire to independently solve their environmental problems. It would be appropriate to give such regional books about rare animals the status of regional Red Books. This strengthened their legal status and increased their practical impact on society. This was of particular importance for national autonomies.

Essentially, there is only one non-regional Red Book on Earth: this is the IUCN Red Book - the only one that provides information about rare species within the entire range. Only in this case we are talking about the planetary conservation of rare species. All other national Red Books are regional, only their territorial scales are different. For example, in the Red Book of the USSR (now it is Russia, the CIS and Baltic countries), out of 80 bird species, less than 20 are listed in the IUCN Red Book, and the rest are thus regionally rare.

National Red Books, with rare exceptions, provide information only on parts of the ranges of species and subspecies of animals and plants. Only in cases with narrow-area species can we talk about preserving the global gene pool on the scale of a particular national or even regional Red Book. This is a rather rare occurrence for animals (for example, the Russian muskrat or the endemics of Lake Baikal).

As a rule, the larger the region, the more significant it is for wildlife conservation. The exception is some relatively small areas that have exceptional biological diversity, an abundance of endemic species or species that are rare and endangered on a global scale. These are, for example, the Caucasus, Altai, the south of the Far East, and some regions of Central Asia.

In the 1990s-2000s, a number of new regional Red Books of various administrative levels appeared. Moreover, it should be noted that in terms of their scientific, environmental and printing levels, the Red Books of Belarus, Kazakhstan, and Ukraine are significantly superior to their predecessors of the Soviet period.

The following publications were published in the constituent entities of the Russian Federation.