Challenging the Scientific Foundations for an IUCN Red List of Ecosystems

摘要: The International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) is currently discussing the development a Red List Ecosystems (RLE) that would mirror categories and criteria used to assess conservation status species. suggested scientific foundations RLE are being considered by IUCN adoption as backbone RLE. We identify conceptual operational weaknesses in draft approach, categories, criteria. While species relatively well-described units, there no consistent means classify ecosystems assessing status. proposed framed mostly around certain features such broad vegetation or habitat types, do not consider major global change drivers climate change. discuss technical difficulties with concept ecosystem collapse suggest it analogous extinction. highlight lack basis thresholds RLE, question need adopt structure Species an open ambiguous interpretations uncertain outcomes, its practicality benefit should be carefully evaluated before final approval.