Author/Editor		van Swaay, Chris; Maes, Dirk; Collins, Sue; Munguira, Miguel L; Šašić, Martina; Settele, Josef; Verovnik, Rudi; Warren, Martin; Wiemers, Martin; Wynhoff, Irma; Cuttelod, Annabelle
Title		Applying IUCN criteria to invertebrates: how red is the Red list of European butterflies?
Type		članek
Source		Biol Conserv
Vol. and No.		Letnik 144, št. 1
Publication year		2011
Volume		str. 470-8
Language		eng
Abstract		The IUCN is the leading authority on assessing species' extinction risks worldwide and introduced the use of quantitative criteria for the compilation of Red Lists of threatened species. Recently, we assessed the threat status of the 483 European butterfly species, using semi-quantitative data on changes in distribution and in population sizes provided by national butterfly experts. We corrected distribution trends for the observation that coarse-scale grid cells underestimate actual population trends by 35%. To account for uncertainty, we included a 5% error margin on the distribution and population trends provided. The new Red List of European butterflies determined one species as Regionally Extinct, 37 species as threatened (Critically Endangered, Endangered or Vulnerable) and a further 44 as Near Threatened. The use of semi-quantitative data on distribution and population trends permitted us to use IUCNcriteria to compile a scientifically underpinned Red List of butterflies in Europe. However, a comparison of detailed monitoring data for some grassland species showed that coarse-scale grid cell data and population trends strongly underestimate extinction risks, and the list should be taken as a conservative estimate of threat. Finally, combining the new Red List status with the data provided by the national butterfly experts, allowed us to determine simple criteria to delineate conservation priorities for butterflies in Europe, so called SPecies of European conservation Concern (SPEC's). Using European butterflies, our approach illustrated how Red Listing can be performed when data are incomplete for some IUCNcriteria or vary strongly among countries.
Descriptors		BUTTERFLIES ECOSYSTEM POPULATION DENSITY LEPIDOPTERA EUROPE