What is Red Data Book? NCERT Class 12 Biology Short Notes – Red Data Book

Define Red Data Book – What is Red Data Book In Biology & Short Note

Advantages and Disadvantages of the Red Data Book

Red Data Book – The International Union for Conservation of Nature IUCN, is a global organization that works in the field of conservation of nature and sustainable use of natural resources. It is involved in gathering the data and also in analysis, research, field projects, support, and education. An objective of IUCN is to inspire, encourage and assist various organizations throughout the world to conserve nature and to ensure that any use of natural resources is reasonable and ecologically sustainable. The headquarters of IUCN are located in Gland, near Geneva, in Switzerland.

IUCN was established in 1964, has formulated Red List of Threatened Species has evolved to become the world’s most comprehensive source of information on the global conservation status of animal, fungi and plant species. Red Data Book is the book published by the IUCN, that provides all the information on endangered species of plants and animals.

Through this Red Data Book, IUCN is trying to create awareness about the endangered species. The Red Data Book is a document established for keeping records on rare and endangered species of animals, plants, and fungi as well as some local sub-species that exist within the region of the state or country.

In 2008, the name of IUCN is changed to WCU (World Conversation Union). It is responsible for necessary actions regarding better environmental management Support international conversations, agencies and government to formulate new policies and laws for best practice.

There are three colored pages in The Red data book — Red, Pink, and Green. The color-coded information sheets arranged by species: red for species that are endangered, amber for vulnerable, white for rare, green for out of danger, and grey for species that are endangered, vulnerable, or rare but with insufficient information.

The IUCN Red List is an important indicator of the health of the world’s biodiversity. It is an influential tool to inform and catalyse action for biodiversity conservation and policy change, critical to protecting the natural resources that different life forms need to survive.

The IUCN Red List Categories and Criteria

Threatened Species

Threatened species are the species which are susceptible to extinction in the near future. International Union for Conservation of Nature has divided the threatened species into three categories: vulnerable, endangered, and critically endangered, depending upon the degree to which they are threatened.

Critically Endangered Species

According to IUCN, critically endangered species are the wild species that are at the highest risk. The name suggests that the number of these species have decreased, or it will decrease by 80% within three generations. It is thus considered to be facing an extremely high risk of extinction in the wild.

Endangered (EN) species

Endangered species is a population of organisms which are at risk of becoming extinct as they are either few in numbers, or threatened by changing the environment or by increased predation parameters. Deforestation is also another factor for the decline in the number of these species as it may lead to a lack of food and/or water.

Vulnerable (VU) species

Vulnerable (VU) species are those that have been categorized by the IUCN, as susceptible to become endangered unless the circumstances threatening its survival and reproduction improve. Hence, these species face a high risk of extinction in the wild.

Extinct, Functionally Extinct and Extinct in the wild

A species is considered extinct when the last existing member of that species dies. Extinction is when there are no surviving individuals that are able to reproduce and create a new generation.

A species become functionally extinct when only a few of individuals survive, these individuals are unable to reproduce due to poor health, age, sparse distribution over a large range, or due to lack of individuals of both sexes (in sexually reproducing species).

According to IUCN, Extinct in the Wild Species” (EW)are those species that are not known to have any living specimens in the wild, but are maintained only in zoos or other artificial environments. Some of these species are functionally extinct; as they are no longer part of their natural habitat and it is unlikely the species will ever be re-established in the wild.

Frequently Asked Questions / Red Data Book Short Answer