The need for IUCN species distribution update—The case from takin (Budorcas taxicolor) in Southwest China
Abstract Species distributions are one of the fundamental factors needed for understanding and conserving wildlife. While the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species is the primary applied reference for biodiversity conservation, limitations in data availability and analyses of the distributions of some...
| Main Authors: | , , , , , |
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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Wiley
2022-08-01
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| Series: | Ecology and Evolution |
| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | https://doi.org/10.1002/ece3.9222 |
| _version_ | 1797987437073399808 |
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| author | Guan Tianpei Jacob R. Owens Yang Kong Yang Jian Gu Xiaodong Song Yanling |
| author_facet | Guan Tianpei Jacob R. Owens Yang Kong Yang Jian Gu Xiaodong Song Yanling |
| author_sort | Guan Tianpei |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Abstract Species distributions are one of the fundamental factors needed for understanding and conserving wildlife. While the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species is the primary applied reference for biodiversity conservation, limitations in data availability and analyses of the distributions of some species may limit accurate threat classification assessments and conservation recommendations. Improving the accuracy of species distributions in light of growing data and analytical methods is a key step to increasing the efficacy of the Red List. In this study, we reassessed the distribution of takin (Budorcas taxicolor tibetana), a large ungulate in Sichuan Province, southwest China, classified by the IUCN as vulnerable. Using species distribution models and reported habitat requirements, we updated the takin distribution map. Our updated distribution range in the study area (79,449 km2) was 61.31% of the current distribution range (CDR) on the IUCN Red List. This reduction was in large part due to the inclusion in the CDR of substantial areas of lowland plains, high human disturbance, and non‐forest habitat, which provide no suitable habitat for takin. According to our results, suitable takin habitat covered 18.97% of the CDR, suggesting a substantially overestimated distribution. However, there are high proportions of habitat (40%) still covered by the nature reserve network, indicating the importance of protected areas (PAs) in the conservation threaten species. We recommend that experts apply the basic approach presented herein to update the Red List distributions for more species to increase the accuracy of assessments and resulting conservation applications. |
| first_indexed | 2024-04-11T07:47:22Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-9b9b3f9e17f144d89b58dc776438118e |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 2045-7758 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-04-11T07:47:22Z |
| publishDate | 2022-08-01 |
| publisher | Wiley |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Ecology and Evolution |
| spelling | doaj.art-9b9b3f9e17f144d89b58dc776438118e2022-12-22T04:36:14ZengWileyEcology and Evolution2045-77582022-08-01128n/an/a10.1002/ece3.9222The need for IUCN species distribution update—The case from takin (Budorcas taxicolor) in Southwest ChinaGuan Tianpei0Jacob R. Owens1Yang Kong2Yang Jian3Gu Xiaodong4Song Yanling5Institute of Qinghai‐Tibetan Plateau Southwest Minzu University Chengdu ChinaLos Angeles Zoo and Botanical Garden Los Angeles California USAInstitute of Qinghai‐Tibetan Plateau Southwest Minzu University Chengdu ChinaInstitute of Qinghai‐Tibetan Plateau Southwest Minzu University Chengdu ChinaSichuan Station of Wildlife survey and Management Chengdu ChinaInstitute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences Beijing ChinaAbstract Species distributions are one of the fundamental factors needed for understanding and conserving wildlife. While the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species is the primary applied reference for biodiversity conservation, limitations in data availability and analyses of the distributions of some species may limit accurate threat classification assessments and conservation recommendations. Improving the accuracy of species distributions in light of growing data and analytical methods is a key step to increasing the efficacy of the Red List. In this study, we reassessed the distribution of takin (Budorcas taxicolor tibetana), a large ungulate in Sichuan Province, southwest China, classified by the IUCN as vulnerable. Using species distribution models and reported habitat requirements, we updated the takin distribution map. Our updated distribution range in the study area (79,449 km2) was 61.31% of the current distribution range (CDR) on the IUCN Red List. This reduction was in large part due to the inclusion in the CDR of substantial areas of lowland plains, high human disturbance, and non‐forest habitat, which provide no suitable habitat for takin. According to our results, suitable takin habitat covered 18.97% of the CDR, suggesting a substantially overestimated distribution. However, there are high proportions of habitat (40%) still covered by the nature reserve network, indicating the importance of protected areas (PAs) in the conservation threaten species. We recommend that experts apply the basic approach presented herein to update the Red List distributions for more species to increase the accuracy of assessments and resulting conservation applications.https://doi.org/10.1002/ece3.9222geographic distributiongiant pandaprotected areasred list |
| spellingShingle | Guan Tianpei Jacob R. Owens Yang Kong Yang Jian Gu Xiaodong Song Yanling The need for IUCN species distribution update—The case from takin (Budorcas taxicolor) in Southwest China Ecology and Evolution geographic distribution giant panda protected areas red list |
| title | The need for IUCN species distribution update—The case from takin (Budorcas taxicolor) in Southwest China |
| title_full | The need for IUCN species distribution update—The case from takin (Budorcas taxicolor) in Southwest China |
| title_fullStr | The need for IUCN species distribution update—The case from takin (Budorcas taxicolor) in Southwest China |
| title_full_unstemmed | The need for IUCN species distribution update—The case from takin (Budorcas taxicolor) in Southwest China |
| title_short | The need for IUCN species distribution update—The case from takin (Budorcas taxicolor) in Southwest China |
| title_sort | need for iucn species distribution update the case from takin budorcas taxicolor in southwest china |
| topic | geographic distribution giant panda protected areas red list |
| url | https://doi.org/10.1002/ece3.9222 |
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