IUCN Red List Index (Sampled Approach)

The IUCN Red List Index (RLI), based on the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species, is an indicator of the changing state of global biodiversity. It defines the conservation status of major species groups, and measures trends in extinction risk over time.

By conducting conservation assessments at regular intervals, changes in the threat status of species in a taxonomic group can be used to monitor trends in extinction risk. RLIs have been calculated for birds and amphibians, using changes in threat status for species in each of the groups.

IUCN Red List - Change in Threat Status of Birds
Figure 1. Change in Threat Status of Birds from 1988

In recognition that targets such as CBD 2010 require a more rapid approach to generating conservation assessments across mega-diverse taxonomic groups, a sampled approach to the Red List Index (SRLI) has been developed in order to determine the threat status and trends of lesser-known and less charismatic species groups. The RLI has been adopted by the CBD as one of the indicators to measure progress towards this important target, and specifically to monitor changes in threat status of species. The SRLI is a collaboration between IUCN members, coordinated through the Institute of Zoology. The SRLI is based on a representative sample of species selected from taxonomic groups within vertebrates, invertebrates, plants, and fungi. Assessment of these selected species will provide baseline information on the current status of biodiversity. Reassessment at regular intervals will identify changes in threat status over time to provide a more broadly representative picture of biodiversity change.
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Publications:

Baillie, J.E.M., Collen, B., Amin, R., Akcakaya, H.R., Butchart, S.H.M., Brummitt, N., Meagher, T.R., Ram, M., Hilton-Taylor, C. and Mace, G.M. (2008) Towards monitoring global biodiversity. Conservation Letters 1: 18-26.

Butchart, S.H.M., Akçakaya, H. R., Chanson, J., Baillie, J. E. M., Collen, B., Quader, S., Turner, W. R., Amin, R., Stuart, S. N. and Hilton-Taylor, C. (2007) Improvements to the Red List Index. PLoS One 2(1): e140. Download PDF

Butchart, S H.M., Stattersfield, A.J., Baillie, J.E.M., Bennun, Stuart, S.N., Akcakaya, H.R., Hilton-Taylor, C. and Mace, G.M. (2005) Using Red List Indices to measure progress towards the 2010 target and beyond. Phils. Trans. R. Soc. B 360 (1454): 255-268.

Butchart, S H.M., Stattersfield, A.J., Bennun, L.A., Shutes, S.M., Akcakaya, H.R., Baillie, J.E.M., Stuart S.N., Hilton-Taylor, C. and Mace, G.M. (2004) Measuring global trends in the status of biodiversity: Red List indices for birds. PLoS Biology 2: 1-11.
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