Title
Tracking trends in the extinction risk of wild relatives of domesticated species to assess progress against global biodiversity targets
Author(s)
McGowan, Philip, J.K.;Mair, Louise;Symes, Andrew;Westrip, James, R.S.;Wheatley, Hannah;Brook, Sarah;Burton, James;King, Sarah;McShea, William J.;Moehlman, Patricia D.;Smith, Andrew T.;Wheeler, Jane C.;Butchart, Stuart H.M.
Published
2018
Publisher
Conservation Letters
Published Version DOI
https://doi.org/10.1111/conl.12588
Abstract
Ensuring the conservation of wild relatives of domesticated animals that are important food sources for humans forms part of targets for both the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) and the Sustainable Development Goals (SDG). There is, however, no indicator allowing progress toward these aims to be measured. We identified 30 domesticated mammal and bird taxa that are sources of food for humans and consider 55 mammal and 449 bird species to be their wild relatives. We developed a Red List Index for these wild relatives, which declined by 2.02% between 1988 and 2016. Currently, 15 species are Critically Endangered, indicating that the Red List Index could deteriorate sharply unless action is taken to ensure the survival of highly threatened species and the reversal of their declines. This Index can meet a range of global policy needs, including reporting on progress toward Aichi Target 13 of the Strategic Plan for Biodiversity 2011?2020 and SDG Target 2.5.
Keywords
Aichi Biodiversity Targets;biodiversity indicator;Convention on Biological Diversity;extinction probability;food security;livestock;Red List Index;Sustainable Development Goals;Target 13;World's Animal Genetic Resources

Access Full Text

A full-text copy of this article may be available. Please email the WCS Library to request.



Back

PUB23280