Birds on the EDGE
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The Zoological Society of London (ZSL) has named the top 100 endangered bird species that it considers most worthy of conservation efforts.
These key bird species were identified in a paper published in the journal Current Biology, using the EDGE acronym to label animals that are Evolutionarily Distinct and Globally Endangered. In case this sounds like a description of all endangered species, the ZSL has developed a statistical technique to identify which of these species can be best fitted to both categories and thus be most 'deserving' of limited conservation funds.
To work out which birds are EDGE species, each is scored according to the amount of unique evolutionary history it represents (hence Evolutionary Distinctiveness or ED), and its conservation status (its Global Endangerment or GE); the resulting scores are statistically assessed and used identify EDGE species. The top 100 should be composed of those species which represent a greater amount of unique evolution as well as being under a high level of extinction threat.
Among the birds deemed to be part of this special category are such extraordinary species as Giant Ibis, Kakapo, Forest Owlet, Cebu Flowerpecker and Stitchbird. EDGE Birds represent millions of years of unique evolutionary history, and are not only threatened with extinction but are also highly unique in the way they look, live and behave.
Carly Waterman, EDGE Programme Manager at ZSL says: “Half of the 100 highest ranked EDGE bird species are receiving little or no conservation attention. We lament the extinction of Dodo, but without action we stand to lose one of its closest relatives, Tooth-billed pigeon, and many other extraordinary birds.
“The release of the EDGE Birds list enables us to prioritise our conservation efforts in the face of a mounting list of endangered species. These one-of-a-kind birds illustrate the incredible diversity that exists in our natural world.
The Philippine (aka Monkey-eating) Eagle preys on monkeys and flying lemurs, but despite its strength this impressive bird is now under huge threat from deforestation, as it requires an area bigger than the city of Oxford to rear a single chick. The ZSL will now be spearheading a new conservation project to conserve its habitat.
One of the most critically endangered Western Palearctic birds listed is Northern Bald Ibis from Morocco. This striking bird suffered a severe population crash following the introduction of pesticides in the 1950s, and there are now believed to be less than 300 adult birds remaining in the wild, though there are several reintroduction schemes in operation already.
Lead author Prof Walter Jetz from Yale University and Imperial College London, says: “These highly distinct and endangered birds often occur far away from places that are species-rich or are already on conservation’s radar. By identifying the top 100 species, we can focus our efforts on targeted conservation action and better monitoring to help ensure that they are still here for future generations to come. As we show, conservation priorities can be adjusted to better conserve the avian tree of life and the many important functions it provides.”
EDGE Birds is part of ZSL’s EDGE of Existence programme which has also developed priority lists for mammals, amphibians and corals. Along with its own conservation projects, the programme supports local conservationists, known as EDGE Fellows, to lead projects on poorly-known EDGE species. ZSL is now looking for new Fellows to champion the EDGE bird species and ensure a future for these remarkable feathered creatures.
While the conservation of any endangered species is hard to criticise, there are some perhaps anomalous inclusions on the list. Birds which are almost certainly extinct and not very phylogenetically unique are included, such as Eskimo and Slender-billed Curlew. It could be argued that these species may still exist in very small numbers, but neither has been reliably seen for many years. It could be argued that until one is rediscovered and thus reassessed, they should be left off the list in favour of species that are known to be extant and still have the possibility of being saved. In addition, the uniqueness of species that are in such a widespread genus as Numenius is also arguable.
Other less than unique genera also feature on the list, such as Grus (cranes), Francolinus (francolins) and Oceanodroma (storm-petrels), perhaps given in some respects disproportionate weight by their endangerment. However, there is no doubt that all the species listed need all the help they can get to survive. It is just to be hoped that, in attempting to assess their worth using snappy slogans and techniques, we don't lose the species that don't fit these somewhat flexible criteria.
These key bird species were identified in a paper published in the journal Current Biology, using the EDGE acronym to label animals that are Evolutionarily Distinct and Globally Endangered. In case this sounds like a description of all endangered species, the ZSL has developed a statistical technique to identify which of these species can be best fitted to both categories and thus be most 'deserving' of limited conservation funds.
To work out which birds are EDGE species, each is scored according to the amount of unique evolutionary history it represents (hence Evolutionary Distinctiveness or ED), and its conservation status (its Global Endangerment or GE); the resulting scores are statistically assessed and used identify EDGE species. The top 100 should be composed of those species which represent a greater amount of unique evolution as well as being under a high level of extinction threat.
Among the birds deemed to be part of this special category are such extraordinary species as Giant Ibis, Kakapo, Forest Owlet, Cebu Flowerpecker and Stitchbird. EDGE Birds represent millions of years of unique evolutionary history, and are not only threatened with extinction but are also highly unique in the way they look, live and behave.
Carly Waterman, EDGE Programme Manager at ZSL says: “Half of the 100 highest ranked EDGE bird species are receiving little or no conservation attention. We lament the extinction of Dodo, but without action we stand to lose one of its closest relatives, Tooth-billed pigeon, and many other extraordinary birds.
“The release of the EDGE Birds list enables us to prioritise our conservation efforts in the face of a mounting list of endangered species. These one-of-a-kind birds illustrate the incredible diversity that exists in our natural world.
The Philippine (aka Monkey-eating) Eagle preys on monkeys and flying lemurs, but despite its strength this impressive bird is now under huge threat from deforestation, as it requires an area bigger than the city of Oxford to rear a single chick. The ZSL will now be spearheading a new conservation project to conserve its habitat.
One of the most critically endangered Western Palearctic birds listed is Northern Bald Ibis from Morocco. This striking bird suffered a severe population crash following the introduction of pesticides in the 1950s, and there are now believed to be less than 300 adult birds remaining in the wild, though there are several reintroduction schemes in operation already.
Lead author Prof Walter Jetz from Yale University and Imperial College London, says: “These highly distinct and endangered birds often occur far away from places that are species-rich or are already on conservation’s radar. By identifying the top 100 species, we can focus our efforts on targeted conservation action and better monitoring to help ensure that they are still here for future generations to come. As we show, conservation priorities can be adjusted to better conserve the avian tree of life and the many important functions it provides.”
EDGE Birds is part of ZSL’s EDGE of Existence programme which has also developed priority lists for mammals, amphibians and corals. Along with its own conservation projects, the programme supports local conservationists, known as EDGE Fellows, to lead projects on poorly-known EDGE species. ZSL is now looking for new Fellows to champion the EDGE bird species and ensure a future for these remarkable feathered creatures.
While the conservation of any endangered species is hard to criticise, there are some perhaps anomalous inclusions on the list. Birds which are almost certainly extinct and not very phylogenetically unique are included, such as Eskimo and Slender-billed Curlew. It could be argued that these species may still exist in very small numbers, but neither has been reliably seen for many years. It could be argued that until one is rediscovered and thus reassessed, they should be left off the list in favour of species that are known to be extant and still have the possibility of being saved. In addition, the uniqueness of species that are in such a widespread genus as Numenius is also arguable.
Other less than unique genera also feature on the list, such as Grus (cranes), Francolinus (francolins) and Oceanodroma (storm-petrels), perhaps given in some respects disproportionate weight by their endangerment. However, there is no doubt that all the species listed need all the help they can get to survive. It is just to be hoped that, in attempting to assess their worth using snappy slogans and techniques, we don't lose the species that don't fit these somewhat flexible criteria.
