18.21 International Conservation Organisations

Key International Conservation Organisations

1. CITES (Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Flora and Fauna)

• Established: 1973
• Purpose: Controls international trade in endangered species and their products (e.g., furs, skins, ivory) to prevent exploitation and potential extinction.
• Members: Originally 145 countries, now over 180 countries.
• Operation:
  • Species Classification: Species are placed in one of three appendices, each with different levels of trade restrictions.
  • Enforcement: Each member country must implement CITES regulations through national laws.
  • Monitoring: CITES reviews species on a regular basis and updates listings as necessary.
• Challenges:
  • Increased Illegal Trade: Making trade illegal can raise the black-market price of a species, incentivizing poaching.
  • Enforcement Delays: A time gap between listing a species and enforcing trade restrictions can lead to a temporary spike in exploitation.

CITES Appendices

2. IUCN (International Union for Conservation of Nature)

• Purpose: Monitors and assesses the conservation status of species worldwide to inform conservation efforts.
• Key Tool: IUCN Red List of Threatened Species™
  • Provides information on the extinction risk of species based on population trends, threats, and other data.
  • Aids governments, NGOs, conservationists, and researchers by guiding conservation priorities and policies.
• Red List Categories:
  • Extinct (EX): No individuals remaining.
  • Extinct in the Wild (EW): Only survives in captivity or cultivation.
  • Critically Endangered (CR): Extremely high risk of extinction.
  • Endangered (EN): Very high risk of extinction.
  • Vulnerable (VU): High risk of endangerment in the medium term.
  • Near Threatened (NT): Likely to become endangered in the near future.
  • Least Concern (LC): Low risk of extinction.
  • Data Deficient (DD): Insufficient information to assess risk.
  • Not Evaluated (NE): Not yet assessed by IUCN.

Importance and Benefits of International Conservation Organisations

1. Global Coordination:

• CITES and IUCN bring together countries to address biodiversity loss on an international scale.
• Species protection needs to cross national borders, especially for migratory species or those heavily traded across regions.

1. Data-Driven Conservation:

• IUCN Red List: Supplies critical data that informs policies, legislation, and conservation planning.
• CITES Listings: Provides legal frameworks that restrict or ban trade in species threatened by international demand.

1. Raising Public Awareness:

• Listings and reports from CITES and IUCN help raise awareness about endangered species and promote public support for conservation.
• Resources like the IUCN Red List website make it easy for the public to learn about species’ statuses and conservation needs.

1. Guiding National and Local Conservation:

• CITES: Member countries enforce national laws in line with CITES regulations, helping control local poaching and illegal trade.
• IUCN Red List: Information assists national governments, NGOs, and conservation groups in prioritizing species for protection.

Examples of Species Protected by CITES and IUCN

• Sea Turtles: Listed in CITES Appendix I due to threats from poaching, fishing nets, pollution, and habitat loss.
• Orangutans: Critically endangered, listed on both the IUCN Red List (Endangered) and CITES Appendix I, facing habitat destruction and poaching.
• Floreana Mockingbird: Listed as endangered on the IUCN Red List, with conservation efforts underway to protect its limited population on the Galapagos Islands.

Challenges Facing Conservation Efforts

1. Economic Incentives for Illegal Trade:

• CITES listings can increase the black-market value of endangered species, leading to more poaching.

1. Lack of Immediate Enforcement:

• CITES listings are often announced in advance, allowing increased exploitation before trade restrictions take effect.

1. Data Gaps:

• IUCN’s Data Deficient category highlights the issue of incomplete information, hindering effective conservation planning.

1. Funding and Resources:

• Effective enforcement of CITES regulations and Red List monitoring requires financial and logistical resources, which are limited in many countries.

1. Political and Economic Interests:

• Some countries may resist CITES listings or IUCN recommendations due to economic dependencies on the trade of certain species.

Review Questions

1. What are the primary roles of CITES and IUCN in species conservation?

• CITES regulates international trade to prevent overexploitation, while IUCN provides global conservation status assessments to guide conservation actions.

1. Describe the three CITES Appendices and provide an example of a species listed in each.

• Appendix I: Highly endangered, trade banned (e.g., sea turtles).
• Appendix II: At risk if not controlled, trade permitted with regulations (e.g., Venus fly trap).
• Appendix III: Protected in specific countries, requires cooperation (e.g., Mauritian pink pigeon).

1. Explain how CITES listings might inadvertently increase the poaching of a species.

• Illegal trade restrictions can make endangered species products more valuable, incentivizing poachers due to higher black-market prices.

1. Why is the IUCN Red List important for conservationists and policy-makers?

• It provides scientifically-based assessments of species’ risks, helping to prioritize conservation actions and policies.

1. How do CITES and IUCN work together in global conservation efforts?

• IUCN data on species’ conservation status often informs CITES listings, ensuring that trade restrictions reflect current threats to biodiversity.

By establishing international guidelines and enforcing protections, CITES and IUCN play a central role in preserving endangered species and mitigating biodiversity loss globally. Their collaborative efforts underscore the importance of comprehensive data, legal enforcement, and public awareness in effective conservation.