The harmonization of Red Lists for threatened species in Europe : proceedings of an international seminar in Leiden

Red Lists are valuable for informing species protection policy and are important as indicators as well as a tool for communication between all those involved in species protection. There are some 3,700 Red Lists in use across Europe, but the approach, aims and criteria used vary widely. A partial result of this is that Red List Species are rarely used for European ecological networks and play a modest role in the updating of the Wild Birds and Habitats directives. Great harmonisation in methodology and approaches of Red Lists would help to enhance impact on European Policy.