IUCN Species Survival Commission
Encyclopedia
The IUCN Species Survival Commission is a special commission operated by the International Union for Conservation of Nature. The commission's "major role is to provide information to IUCN on biodiversity conservation, the inherent value of species, their role in ecosystem health and functioning, the provision of ecosystem services, and their support to human livelihoods."
or organismal grouping. Each specialist group usually has its own members, agenda, official website and publishes its own scientific journal
or newsletter
.
Each specialist groups are arranged together by taxon.
s, hyrax
, golden-moles, tenrecs and elephant shrew
s or sengis.
s, jackal
s, wild dogs
, and wolves other than the red and gray, which are in the Wolf Specialist Group.
, the current Chair and also the president of Conservation International
(CI). The Deputy Chair is Dr. Anthony Rylands, also from CI. The PSG is a network of scientists and conservationists dedicated to the preservation of the world's primate
s, and assist by promoting research on the ecology and conservation of primates. With the help of experts in the field, the PSG evaluates the conservation status
of all primates, which contributes to the IUCN Red List
. The PSG also generates Action Plans aimed at helping specific groups of species and provides newsletters and journals for scientific publications. These publications cover all four global primate regions: Africa, Asia, Madagascar, and the Neotropics. It broadest journal, Primate Conservation publishes research about threatened primate species.
, eulipotyphlans (hedgehogs, shrews, moles and solenodons) and tree shrews. These taxonomic groups are made up of over 2700 species, representing around half of all mammals. Led by Dr Giovanni Amori, the Red List Authority Focal Point, the SMSG evaluates the conservation status of all small mammals, which contributes to the IUCN Red List
.
Conservation Breeding Specialist Group website
The Conservation Breeding Specialist Group (CBSG) is a worldwide conservation network dedicated to saving threatened species by increasing the effectiveness of conservation efforts worldwide. “Conservation Breeding" is a species conservation strategy. It employs the scientifically managed breeding of threatened wildlife for creation and maintenance of populations that serve to enable, support, or enhance the conservation of wild populations.
CBSG is recognized as a respected force using innovative, scientifically sound, collaborative processes to bring together people and knowledge to effect positive conservation change. CBSG is a part of the Species Survival Commission of the IUCN. Its ties to the IUCN are essential to the strength of the CBSG and its position as a vital link among governments, conservation organizations, and others in the conservation community.
CBSG's mission is to save threatened species by facilitating successful integration of conservation efforts worldwide. CBSG links conservation breeding institutions (such as zoos, aquariums, botanic gardens and others) with other stakeholders helping each to contribute more effectively to the conservation of species in wild habitats.
CBSG's work in conservation is based on a central philosophy: that people from many different backgrounds and perspectives are required to address the global biodiversity crisis. Therefore, CBSG emphasizes the exchange of information across diverse groups to reach agreement on the important challenges facing humans and wildlife. They do this by designing interactive, participatory workshops that provide an objective environment, expert knowledge, and thoughtful group facilitation. CBSG's workshop “toolkit” for conservation professionals is based on using sound scientific principles, and promotes the creative use of new information to refine existing wildlife management practices. Through developing a broad understanding of challenges and alternative solutions, workshop participants can produce meaningful and practical management recommendations that generate political and social support for conservation action—from local communities to national political authorities. Timely production of workshop reports has immediate impact on stakeholders and decision makers.
Invasive Species Specialist Group website
Publishes the newsletter Aliens.
Re-introduction Specialist Group website
Sustainable Use Specialist Group profile
Wildlife Health Specialist Group website
Asian Vulture Task Force
Large Carnivore Initiative for Europe Working Group
Species Conservation Planning Task Force
Restructuring Task Force
Specialist Groups and Task Forces
The SSC operates a multitude of specialist groups and task forces under its wing. Each group is specifically inclined towards the conservation of a specific taxonTaxon
|thumb|270px|[[African elephants]] form a widely-accepted taxon, the [[genus]] LoxodontaA taxon is a group of organisms, which a taxonomist adjudges to be a unit. Usually a taxon is given a name and a rank, although neither is a requirement...
or organismal grouping. Each specialist group usually has its own members, agenda, official website and publishes its own scientific journal
Scientific journal
In academic publishing, a scientific journal is a periodical publication intended to further the progress of science, usually by reporting new research. There are thousands of scientific journals in publication, and many more have been published at various points in the past...
or newsletter
Newsletter
A newsletter is a regularly distributed publication generally about one main topic that is of interest to its subscribers. Newspapers and leaflets are types of newsletters. Additionally, newsletters delivered electronically via email have gained rapid acceptance for the same reasons email in...
.
Each specialist groups are arranged together by taxon.
Amphibian Specialist Group
The Amphibian Specialist Group is a global network of dedicated experts who donate their time and expertise to create a community from where practical amphibian conservation can be advanced based on a solid foundation of science. This global network consists of over 700 members in over 40 Regions/Countries enabling the ASG to act on a global scale. The Amphibian Specialist Group web site contains information on projects and partnerships around the world and includes a number of publications relating to the conservation of amphibians, most notably the Amphibian Conservation Action Plan (ACAP).Crocodile Specialist Group
- As its name implies, the Crocodile Specialist Group focuses on the conservation of the world's crocodiliaCrocodiliaCrocodilia is an order of large reptiles that appeared about 84 million years ago in the late Cretaceous Period . They are the closest living relatives of birds, as the two groups are the only known survivors of the Archosauria...
n species. The group has produced one major publication on crocodilian conservation, a book entitled Crocodiles: An Action Plan for Their Conservation.
Marine Turtle Specialist Group
- The Marine Turtle Specialist Group, or MTSG, is one of more than 100 specialist groups and task forces that make up the IUCN Species Survival Commission. The MTSG's mission is: "To develop and support strategies, set priorities, and provide tools that promote and guide the conservation of marine turtles, and their ecological roles and habitats." It was founded in 1966, when Sir Peter ScottPeter ScottSir Peter Markham Scott, CH, CBE, DSC and Bar, MID, FRS, FZS, was a British ornithologist, conservationist, painter, naval officer and sportsman....
asked Dr Archie CarrArchie CarrArchie Fairly Carr, Jr. was an American herpetologist, ecologist and a pioneering conservationist. He was a Professor of Zoology at the University of Florida. In 1987 he was awarded the Eminent Ecologist Award by the Ecological Society of America...
to chair the group and appoint members. The group now has over 210 volunteer members from more than 80 countries and is considered to be the global authority on sea turtles.
Turtle Survival Alliance
- The Turtle Survival Alliance is a partner organization and essentially the IUCN SSC's Tortoises and Freshwater Turtles Specialist Group. http://www.turtlesurvival.org/
Birds
Directory of SSC Specialist Groups for BirdsHeron Specialist Group
The Heron Specialist Group is a collaborative group of researchers and conservationists focused on the biology and conservation of the herons of the world. Herons are 64 species of long legged, long necked birds in the family Ardeidae. The Group was founded in 1984 by James Kushlan and Heinz Hafner and as of 2008 has over 200 members. It has organized several synthetic studies of herons, published as Heron Conservation (James A. Kushlan and Heinz Hafner, 2000, Academic Press), The Herons (James A. Kushlan and James Hancock, 2005, Oxford University Press), and Conserving Herons, A Conservation Action Plan for the Herons of the World (James A. Kushlan, Station Biologique de la Tour du Valat, Les Sambuc, France). The latter presents the status of the populations of the herons of the world and outlines strategies and specific projects for the conservation of herons.Fishes
Directory of SSC Specialist Groups for FishesGroupers and Wrasses Specialist Group
- The Groupers and Wrasses Species Survival Commission Specialist Group focuses on conservation efforts for species of fish in the families SerranidaeSerranidaeSerranidae is a large family of fishes, belonging to the order Perciformes. The family contains about 450 species of serranids in 64 genera, including the sea basses and the groupers...
and Labridae. Many members of these families are heavily exploited as food and sport fishes.
Salmonid Specialist Group
- The Salmonid Specialist Group specializes in the conservation of species of fish under the order Salmoniformes.
Sturgeon Specialist Group
- The Sturgeon Specialist Group specializes in the conservation of species of fish under the family Acipenseridae.
IUCN/WI Freshwater Fishes Specialist Group
- The IUCN/WI Freshwater Fishes Specialist Group focuses on conservation efforts towards the freshwater fishes of the world.
Fungi
Directory of SSC Specialist Groups for FungiInvertebrates
Directory of SSC Specialist Groups for InvertebratesAfrotheria Specialist Group
This group includes aardvarkAardvark
The aardvark is a medium-sized, burrowing, nocturnal mammal native to Africa...
s, hyrax
Hyrax
A hyrax is any of four species of fairly small, thickset, herbivorous mammals in the order Hyracoidea. The rock hyrax Procavia capensis, the yellow-spotted rock hyrax Heterohyrax brucei, the western tree hyrax Dendrohyrax dorsalis, and the southern tree hyrax, Dendrohyrax arboreus live in Africa...
, golden-moles, tenrecs and elephant shrew
Elephant shrew
Elephant shrews or jumping shrews are small insectivorous mammals native to Africa, belonging to the family Macroscelididae, in the order Macroscelidea...
s or sengis.
Asian Wild Cattle Specialist Group
Asian Wild Cattle Specialist Group HomepageCanid Specialist Group
This group (CSG) includes foxeFoxe
Foxe may refer to:* Richard Foxe , English churchman* John Foxe , martyrologist* Luke Foxe, Arctic explorer** Foxe Channel, Nunavut, Canada** Dunne Foxe Island, Nunavut, Canada** Foxe Peninsula...
s, jackal
Jackal
Although the word jackal has been historically used to refer to many small- to medium-sized species of the wolf genus of mammals, Canis, today it most properly and commonly refers to three species: the black-backed jackal and the side-striped jackal of sub-Saharan Africa, and the golden jackal of...
s, wild dogs
African Wild Dog
Lycaon pictus is a large canid found only in Africa, especially in savannas and lightly wooded areas. It is variously called the African wild dog, African hunting dog, Cape hunting dog, painted dog, painted wolf, painted hunting dog, spotted dog, or ornate wolf...
, and wolves other than the red and gray, which are in the Wolf Specialist Group.
Primate Specialist Group
The Primate Specialist Group (PSG) was organized in 1977 by Dr. Russell MittermeierRussell Mittermeier
Russell Alan Mittermeier is a primatologist, herpetologist and biological anthropologist. He has written several books for both popular and scientist audiences, and has authored some 300 scientific papers.-Biography:...
, the current Chair and also the president of Conservation International
Conservation International
Conservation International is a nonprofit organization headquartered in Arlington, Virginia, which seeks to ensure the health of humanity by protecting Earth's ecosystems and biodiversity. CI’s work focuses on six key initiatives that affect human well-being: climate, food security, freshwater...
(CI). The Deputy Chair is Dr. Anthony Rylands, also from CI. The PSG is a network of scientists and conservationists dedicated to the preservation of the world's primate
Primate
A primate is a mammal of the order Primates , which contains prosimians and simians. Primates arose from ancestors that lived in the trees of tropical forests; many primate characteristics represent adaptations to life in this challenging three-dimensional environment...
s, and assist by promoting research on the ecology and conservation of primates. With the help of experts in the field, the PSG evaluates the conservation status
Conservation status
The conservation status of a group of organisms indicates whether the group is still extant and how likely the group is to become extinct in the near future...
of all primates, which contributes to the IUCN Red List
IUCN Red List
The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species , founded in 1963, is the world's most comprehensive inventory of the global conservation status of biological species. The International Union for Conservation of Nature is the world's main authority on the conservation status of species...
. The PSG also generates Action Plans aimed at helping specific groups of species and provides newsletters and journals for scientific publications. These publications cover all four global primate regions: Africa, Asia, Madagascar, and the Neotropics. It broadest journal, Primate Conservation publishes research about threatened primate species.
Small Mammal Specialist Group
The Small Mammal Specialist Group (SMSG) was formed in 2010 and is co-chaired by Dr Richard Young, Head of Conservation Science at the Durrell Wildlife Conservation Trust, and Dr Don Wilson of the Smithsonian Institution. The SMSG is a network of scientists and conservationists working to promote a greater understanding of and conservation for the world's rodentsRodent
Rodentia is an order of mammals also known as rodents, characterised by two continuously growing incisors in the upper and lower jaws which must be kept short by gnawing....
, eulipotyphlans (hedgehogs, shrews, moles and solenodons) and tree shrews. These taxonomic groups are made up of over 2700 species, representing around half of all mammals. Led by Dr Giovanni Amori, the Red List Authority Focal Point, the SMSG evaluates the conservation status of all small mammals, which contributes to the IUCN Red List
IUCN Red List
The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species , founded in 1963, is the world's most comprehensive inventory of the global conservation status of biological species. The International Union for Conservation of Nature is the world's main authority on the conservation status of species...
.
Wolf Specialist Group
This group (WSG} is limited to red and gray wolves. Other types of wolves are included in the Canid Specialist Group.Plants
Directory of SSC Specialist Groups for PlantsDisciplinary Groups
Directory of SSC Disciplinary GroupsConservation Breeding Specialist Group
Conservation Breeding Specialist Group website
The Conservation Breeding Specialist Group (CBSG) is a worldwide conservation network dedicated to saving threatened species by increasing the effectiveness of conservation efforts worldwide. “Conservation Breeding" is a species conservation strategy. It employs the scientifically managed breeding of threatened wildlife for creation and maintenance of populations that serve to enable, support, or enhance the conservation of wild populations.
CBSG is recognized as a respected force using innovative, scientifically sound, collaborative processes to bring together people and knowledge to effect positive conservation change. CBSG is a part of the Species Survival Commission of the IUCN. Its ties to the IUCN are essential to the strength of the CBSG and its position as a vital link among governments, conservation organizations, and others in the conservation community.
CBSG's mission is to save threatened species by facilitating successful integration of conservation efforts worldwide. CBSG links conservation breeding institutions (such as zoos, aquariums, botanic gardens and others) with other stakeholders helping each to contribute more effectively to the conservation of species in wild habitats.
CBSG's work in conservation is based on a central philosophy: that people from many different backgrounds and perspectives are required to address the global biodiversity crisis. Therefore, CBSG emphasizes the exchange of information across diverse groups to reach agreement on the important challenges facing humans and wildlife. They do this by designing interactive, participatory workshops that provide an objective environment, expert knowledge, and thoughtful group facilitation. CBSG's workshop “toolkit” for conservation professionals is based on using sound scientific principles, and promotes the creative use of new information to refine existing wildlife management practices. Through developing a broad understanding of challenges and alternative solutions, workshop participants can produce meaningful and practical management recommendations that generate political and social support for conservation action—from local communities to national political authorities. Timely production of workshop reports has immediate impact on stakeholders and decision makers.
Invasive Species Specialist Group
Invasive Species Specialist Group website
Publishes the newsletter Aliens.
Re-introduction Specialist Group
Re-introduction Specialist Group website
Sustainable Use Specialist Group
Sustainable Use Specialist Group profile
Wildlife Health Specialist Group
Wildlife Health Specialist Group website
Task Forces & Working Groups
Directory of SSC Task Forces & Working GroupsAsian Vulture Task Force
Large Carnivore Initiative for Europe Working Group
Species Conservation Planning Task Force
Restructuring Task Force