The need for IUCN species distribution update - the case from a large
threaten ungulate in Southwest China
Abstract
Species distributions are one of the fundamental factors needed for
understanding and conserving wildlife. While the IUCN Red List of
Threatened Species is the primary applied reference for biodiversity
conservation, limitations in data availability and analyses of the
distributions of some species may limit accurate threat classification
assessments and conservation recommendations. Improving the accuracy of
species distributions in light of growing data and analytical methods is
a key step to increasing the efficacy of the Red List. In this study, we
reassessed the distribution of takin (Budorcas taxicolor tibetana), a
large ungulate in Sichuan Province, southwest China , classified by the
IUCN as vulnerable. Using species distribution models and reported
habitat requirements, we updated the takin distribution map. Our updated
distribution range in the study area (79,449km2) was 61.31% of current
distribution range (CDR) on the IUCN red list. This reduction was in
large part due to the inclusion in the CDR of substantial areas of
lowland plains, high human disturbance, and non-forest habitat, which
provide no suitable habitat for takin. According to our results,
suitable takin habitat covered 18.97% of the CDR, suggesting a
substantially over-estimated distribution. However, there are high
proportions of habitat (40%) still covered by the nature reserve
network, indicating the importance of protected areas (PAs) in
conservation threaten species. We recommend that experts apply the basic
approach presented herein to update the Red List distributions for more
species to increase the accuracy of assessments and resulting
conservation applications.