Endangered species

The threatened species categories used in Red Data Books and Red Lists have been in place for almost 30 years. The Red Data Book categories provide an easily and widely understood method for highlighting those species under higher extinction risk, so as to focus attention on conservation measures designed to protect them. This document, incorporating changes recommended by IUCN members, was adopted by the IUCN Council in 1994.

More than 1,000 species of molluscs are threatened by habitat destruction, over-collection, or predation by alien species. The nine papers and five abstracts in this volume summarise the current status of molluscan diversity.

In recent years the trade in tortoises and freshwater turtles of Southeast Asia has escalated and changed dramatically to meet international demand. This report documents the change, examining the status, distribution and exploitation of 41 species in seven Southeast Asian countries.

The rationale for this three-volume work covering nearly 250 major sites for conservation of plant diversity worldwide is concern about rapid global loss and degradation of natural ecosystems. By highlighting areas of prime botanical importance, it is hoped that their conservation will be ensured by an adequate commitment of resources. Selection of the sites is based both on floristic statistics and on detailed first-hand knowledge of numerous botanists.

This work draws attention to the conservation problems confronting these species. The general lack of knowledge about this group has meant that they are afforded little protection.