Conservation-dependent species facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Conservation status
|
|
|---|---|
 |
|
| Extinct | |
|
|
| Threatened | |
|
|
| Lower Risk | |
|
|
|
Other categories |
|
|
|
|
Related topics
|
|
 Comparison of Red list classes above and NatureServe status below  |
|
A conservation-dependent species is a type of species that needs special help to survive. These species are listed by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN). They are called "Conservation Dependent" (or "LR/cd"). This means they rely on ongoing conservation efforts. Without these efforts, they would likely become endangered within five years.
The IUCN regularly checks the status of species. The "Conservation Dependent" category was part of an older system (from 1994). Since 2001, a newer system (version 3.1) is used. In the new system, these species are often grouped under "near threatened". However, some species assessed before 2001 still keep the "Conservation Dependent" label.
Conservation-dependent species need more than just general protection. For example, the United States has an Endangered Species Act of 1973. This act helps protect species from disappearing. But conservation-dependent species often need specific, ongoing programs to keep them safe.
Contents
Challenges in Protecting Species
It can be tricky to protect species that depend on conservation. One challenge is making sure that animals and their habitats are connected. This means ensuring they can move and live freely. Laws and rules are put in place to protect these areas. However, sometimes these laws have weaknesses. They might not fully protect all parts of an ecosystem. This can lead to gaps in protection. When this happens, it's harder to save species.
Money is another big issue. Conservation programs need funding. Sometimes, people disagree on where the money should go. This can slow down efforts to help conservation-dependent species. Even with good plans and rules, these species can still be in danger if they don't get enough support.
Protecting Plants and Animals
Plants (flora) and animals (fauna) that need conservation are both at risk. But they are often protected in different ways. For animals, governments often create recovery plans. They also make agreements to protect them. For plants, the main goal is to keep their habitats healthy. This means keeping natural areas wild and reducing pollution. The aim is to prevent both plants and animals from needing the "conservation dependent" label in the first first place.
Older Threatened Categories
The "Conservation Dependent" category was once part of a larger group called "lower risk" on the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. This group also included:
- Near Threatened (now called NT)
- Least Concern (now called LC)
When species are re-evaluated, their status might change.
IUCN Green Status of Species
Since 2020, the IUCN Red List has an optional "Green Status" assessment. This helps measure how much a species has recovered globally. It also looks at how much conservation efforts have helped. This Green Status includes a way to measure "Conservation Dependence" again. It compares a species' future with and without conservation actions. This helps recognize species that are only safe because of ongoing conservation work.
Conservation Efforts in Action
Many efforts are made to protect conservation-dependent species. For example, in fisheries around the world, there are strict rules. These rules help protect species like the Scalloped Hammerhead shark. This shark is listed as conservation dependent under Australia's EPBC Act. Some rules include:
- Reporting catches: Fishers must report any shark they catch by phone.
- Detailed logbooks: All shark catches must be written down in a logbook.
- Data checks: Fisheries officers can inspect boats and catches after docking.
Examples of Conservation-Dependent Animals
Many different types of animals have been listed as conservation dependent. For example, the California ground cricket is one such species.
As of December 2015, there were 209 conservation-dependent plant species. There were also 29 conservation-dependent animal species. By January 2026, the IUCN still listed 14 conservation-dependent animal species. It also listed one conservation-dependent group of animals (subpopulation or stock).
Mollusks
- Bear paw clam
Arthropods
- Mono Lake brine shrimp
- Attheyella yemanjae
- Canthocamptus campaneri
- Metacyclops campestris
- Murunducaris juneae
- Muscocyclops bidentatus
- Muscocyclops therasiae
- California ground cricket
- Ponticyclops boscoi
- Coachella Valley grasshopper
- Stenopelmatus nigrocapitatus
- Thermocyclops parvus
Reptiles
Australia's EPBC Act
In Australia, there is a law called the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999 (EPBC Act). This act also uses a "Conservation Dependent" category for plants and animals. However, species in this category do not get special protection under the EPBC Act. This is because they are not considered "matters of national environmental significance."
The EPBC Act uses categories similar to the older IUCN system from 1994. But it does not have a "near threatened" category.
As of December 2018, eight types of fish were given this status under the act:
- Orange roughy (Hoplostethus atlanticus)
- Silver gemfish (Rexea solandri)
- School shark (Galeorhinus galeus)
- Southern bluefin tuna (Thunnus maccoyii)
- Southern dogfish (Centrophorus zeehaani)
- Dumb gulper shark (Centrophorus harrissoni)
- Blue warehou (Seriolella brama)
- Scalloped hammerhead (Sphyrna lewini)
No plants have been given this category under the EPBC Act.
See also
In Spanish: Especies dependientes de conservación para niños
- Conservation-reliant species
- IUCN Red List conservation dependent species, ordered by taxonomic rank.
