Photo: IUCN
The IUCN Red List of Ecosystems is a tool to assess the conservation status of ecosystems. It is based on scientific criteria for performing evidence-based analyses of the risk of ecosystem collapse. These include changes in geographical distribution, and the degradation of the key processes and components of ecosystems.
3000 +
assessments
21
countries
fully assessed
100 +
countries using the tool
At a glance
The Okavango Delta in Botswana is one of the most world's most pristine biodiversity hotspots.
Photo: Amanda Harwood
Read more
Although seemingly healthy, the dynamics of this river system in the Americas have been changed by local construction.
Photo: Carlos Torrente
Engage
A lone tree standing in a small lake near Torridon, UK; the only available refuge from overgrazing by red deer.
Photo: David Lintern
The IUCN Red List of Ecosystems in brief
The IUCN Red List of Ecosystems measures the relative risks of ecosystem collapse for terrestrial, freshwater and marine ecosystems at subnational, national, regional and global scales.
Information it provides
The tool provides the information below for every ecosystem assessed:
Ecosystem description
This includes information on:
- unique biodiversity ("native biota")
- non-living characteristics, such as geology ("abiotic environment")
- key processes and interactions
- spatial distribution
Ecosystems are classified according to the IUCN Global Ecosystem Typology, a framework based on ecosystem function and biodiversity.
Ecosystem diagnosis
A diagnostic model describes:
- the functioning, sensitivities and key processes affecting each ecosystem type
- the major threats to ecosystem sustainability
- how risks were assessed
Ecosystem status
The ecosystem status is assigned depending on the risks identified within each criterion and the overall risk of ecosystem collapse.
Statuses are summarised by the IUCN risk categories.
Read more about the categories
Assessment data
Each assessment includes:
- spatial data
- time series data
- metadata used to assess the criteria for each ecosystem type
The IUCN risk categories
The relative risks are divided in to eight categories. In descending order of threat, the IUCN Red List of Ecosystems risk categories are:
- Collapse (CO): ecosystems collapsed throughout the assessed distribution
- Critically Endangered (CR), Endangered (EN) and Vulnerable (VU): ecosystems facing collapse
- Near Threatened (NE): ecosystems close to the threatened threshold or that would be threatened without ongoing conservation measures in the future
- Least Concern (LC): ecosystems evaluated as at low risk of collapse
- Data Deficient (DD): ecosystems for which too few data exist to apply the criteria
- Not Evaluated (NE): ecosystems that have not yet been assessed
Photo: IUCN
Users and benefits
Who uses the Red List of Ecosystems?
Assessments are usually carried out by:
- Local and national governments
- Conservation practitioners
- Academic institutions
Secondary users
Assessments can be useful for a variety of other stakeholders too:
- Land use planners and advocates
- Policymakers
- Donor agencies and programme developers
- Businesses, companies and investors
Why is the tool useful?
The Red List of Ecosystems has many applications, including to:
- Assess and highlight risks to ecosystems
- Guide national and international conservation strategies
- Prioritise and monitor restoration action
- Inform land use planning
- Inform laws and regulations
- Provide recommendations on how to manage industries
- Raise public awareness
- Report on multilateral agreements
Success stories
The Red List of Ecosystems has served diverse purposes worldwide, including:
⇒ Measuring progress towards global targets in Finland, Madagascar and South Africa
Read about findings in Finland
⇒ Planning ecosystem restoration in Chile after the fires in 2017
⇒ Guiding laws for land use planning in South Africa
⇒ Shaping industry recommendations and regulations in Australia, Chile and Norway
⇒ Promoting community engagement in Norway
Summary of benefits for practitioners
Restoration
- prioritise the most effective ecosystem restoration
- monitor the impact of restoration actions
Land use planning
- highlight risks faced by ecosystems as important components of land use planning
- guide legal frameworks and conservation plans when designating protected areas
Improvement of regulations
- support legislation and regulations that minimise the risk of ecosystem collapse whilst allowing for sustainable use
- link ecosystem health with the provision of ecosystem services and the security of livelihoods
Industry management
- identify ecosystems at risk
- provide management recommendations by industry (e.g. for forestry or fisheries)
- ultimately limit the risk of damage to ecosystems
The partnership
The Red List of Ecosystems is delivered by partners. Current partners include: The University of New South Wales, Deakin University, Arizona State University, Provita, Wildlife Conservation Society, Coastal Oceans Research and Development, Conservation International (Colombia), and IUCN.
Two herdsmen bring their goats and sheep back to their summer encampment across Egiin Gol, Mongolia. Herdsmen have long been the custodians of the country's ecosystems.
Photo: Julia Leijola
IUCN’s involvement
Two IUCN bodies have supported the partnership since the inception of the Red List of Ecosystems in 2008 and the launch of the platform in 2014:
Learn more
Resources
The web platform is a powerful resource to access publications, guidelines and resources on the Red List of Ecosystems. In addition to the learning materials available on the platform, a free online course (MOOC) is available for those interested in gaining a functional understanding of the tool.
Photo: © R Ferrari Legorreta, © RM Miller, © NJ Murray
Publications
This mountain range, north of La Paz, Mexico, is considered a conservation priority because the arid ecosystem harbours many endemic species.
Photo: RLE / Salvador Rodríguez Van Dyck
Latest
A shrinking glacier in Europe.
Photo: Annelie Fincke
Learning
Getting started
This short video, recorded in 2012, explains the purpose and vision for the Red List of Ecosystems.
These guidelines assist the correct implementation of the IUCN Red List of Ecosystems Categories and Criteria.
If you are interested in gaining a functional understanding of the tool, you can enrol in a free online MOOC course, launched in 2020.
⇒ If you are interested in conducting an assessment, please contact a partner of the Red List of Ecosystems.
