Summary:
The objective of this project is to produce a European Red List of bryophytes and pterodiphytes, to complete the existing European Red Lists for terrestrial molluscs, and to assess a selection of saproxylic beetles and vascular plants, five species groups that play a key role in providing ecosystem services. Developing a European Red List for these species groups will provide a comprehensive overview of their extinction risk and distributions in Europe, and will contribute to guiding policy decisions and conservation actions. These new assessments will supplement the existing European Red Lists for terrestrial molluscs, saproxylic beetles and vascular plants, and together with the European Red Lists for mammals, amphibians, reptiles, butterflies, dragonflies, freshwater molluscs, freshwater fishes, marine fishes, birds, bees and medicinal plants, will provide a detailed picture of the status of biodiversity in Europe.
In particular, the European Red List of Bryophytes will assess around 1,812 species with an European distribution. There are eleven identified assessors that will assess a set of species according to their geographical and taxonomic expertise. The most current available scientific data and expertise to date will be included, making the best possible use of leading experts, and will be applied at two regional levels: EU 28 and pan Europe. The status of all these species will be assessed using the IUCN Red List Categories and Criteria, which are the world’s most widely accepted system for measuring extinction risk.
Funding Institution:
European Union.
Partners:
Juana Maria González-Mancebo.
