What is Red Data Book?
Essentially, the Red Data Book refers to a document maintained by a state or a nation that is established to record and document the rare and endangered species of plants and animals that exist within the boundary of that respective state or nation. All the known endangered species and sub-species of plants, fungi and animals are recorded to the Red Data Book.
The Red Data Book helps to provide detailed information for studies and research regarding the endangered species and subspecies of animals. In addition to that it also helps in coordinating and developing monitoring programs on these endangered and rare species. It is of great help in designing effective measures that could help in protecting various endangered species.
The Red Data Book is maintained by the IUCN (International Union for Conservation of Nature). This organisation had been founded in the year 1965 and works towards the “conservation of nature and the sustainable use of the natural resources.”
Brief History of the Red Data Book
The first Red Data Book animals, plants and fungi were based upon the extensive research carried out by biologists in the Soviet Union which were conducted between the years 1961 and 1964. This document that listed all the endangered species of plants, fungi and animals, within the Russian territorial jurisdiction was known as the Red Data Book of the Russian Federation (RDBRF).
The Red Data Book has been maintained by the IUCN since 1964 and has used a set of criteria to evaluate the risk of extinction of thousands of endangered species and subspecies around the world. The set of criteria is chosen such that they are relevant to all the species and all regions of the world. It has been over the years recognised to be one of the most authoritative sources regarding the current status of biological diversity in the world at any given point in time. Apart from the centralised IUCN Red Data Book, other regional or national red data books are maintained by individual states or nations that contain the cumulative data regarding endangered species within their territorial boundaries.
The objectives of maintaining the Red Data Book, as provided by the IUCN (1996) are given as follows
“To provide scientifically based information on the status of species and subspecies at a global level”
“To draw attention to the magnitude and importance of threatened biodiversity”
“To influence national and international policy and decision-making”
“To provide information to guide actions to conserve biological diversity”
The information detailed in the Red Data Book is provided in carefully colour-coded sections depending on the level of endangerment that a species has been found in. The specific meanings of the colour coding of the information have been provided below.
Black: Extinct species;
Red: Critically Endangered Species;
Orange: Endangered species;
Amber: Vulnerable Species;
White: Rare species;
Green: Out of Danger species;
Grey: Species that are “endangered, vulnerable or rare but with a lack of sufficient information to precisely categorise them”
Advantages of the Red Data Book
It can be used to estimate the total population of any given species of plant or animal.
It can be used to evaluate the taxa at a pan-global scale.
It can be used to find out the conservation status of any species.
It can be used to evaluate the risk of endangerment of any species of animals, plants or fungi at any given time.
It can be beneficial in developing a conservation plan for an endangered species of animals or plants.
Disadvantages of the Red Data Book
The documentation regarding the sources of the data have not always been properly maintained and as such the validity of the data can sometimes be brought to question.
The Red Data Book is a work in progress and not all of the endangered or extinct species have yet been identified or put in and as such may not provide the most accurate data at any given point in time.
Red Data Book of India
According to the IUCN Red Data Book of India, the following categories for endangered species have been identified.
Critically Endangered Mammals
Malabar Civet (Viverra civettina)
Endangered Mammals
Dhole / Asiatic wild dog or Indian wild dog (Cuon alpinus)
Lion-tailed macaque / wanderoo (macaca silenus)
Nilgiri langur / Nilgiri leaf monkey (Trachypithecus john)
Nilgiri tahr (Nilgiritragus hylocrius)
Vulnerable Mammals
Gaur / Indian Bison
Nilgiri marten (Martes gwatkinsii)
Critically Endangered Birds
Spoon Billed Sandpiper (Eurynorhynchus pygmeus)
Near Threatened Reptiles
Diaspora day gecko (Cnemaspis sisparensis)
In Summary
Red Data Book refers to a document maintained by a state or a nation that is established to record and document the rare and endangered species of flora and fauna that exist within the boundary of that respective state or nation.
Information about Red Data Book is maintained by the IUCN (International Union for Conservation of Nature).
The first Red Data Book animals, plants and fungi were based upon the extensive research carried out by biologists in the Soviet Union which were conducted between the years 1961 and 1964.
Colour coding of the list is done as follows - Black: Extinct species; Red: Critically Endangered Species; Orange: Endangered species; Amber: Vulnerable Species; White: Rare species; Green: Out of Danger species; Grey: Species that are “endangered, vulnerable or rare but with a lack of sufficient information to precisely categorise them.”
FAQs on Red Data Book
1. What is the Red Data Book and which organisation maintains it?
The Red Data Book is a comprehensive public document that records and catalogues rare and endangered species of plants, animals, and fungi. Its primary purpose is to provide detailed information for research and conservation efforts. The global Red Data Book, also known as the IUCN Red List, is maintained by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN).
2. What is the primary importance of maintaining a Red Data Book?
The Red Data Book is crucial for global and national conservation strategies. Its main importance lies in its ability to:
- Identify and document species at high risk of extinction.
- Provide a scientific basis for governments and conservation organisations to prioritise their efforts.
- Help in evaluating the effectiveness of conservation measures over time.
- Raise public awareness about the status of threatened species and the importance of biodiversity.
3. What are the different conservation status categories in the IUCN Red List?
The IUCN Red List classifies species into nine distinct categories based on their risk of extinction. These categories provide a clear framework for understanding the threat level. The key categories for threatened species are:
- Critically Endangered (CR): Extremely high risk of extinction in the wild.
- Endangered (EN): Very high risk of extinction in the wild.
- Vulnerable (VU): High risk of extinction in the wild.
Other categories include Near Threatened (NT), Least Concern (LC), Data Deficient (DD), Not Evaluated (NE), Extinct in the Wild (EW), and Extinct (EX).
4. Does India maintain its own Red Data Book?
Yes, India maintains its own national Red Data Book. The Zoological Survey of India (ZSI) is responsible for documenting threatened animal species, while the Botanical Survey of India (BSI) documents endangered plant species. These national records provide a more focused view of biodiversity conservation priorities within the country, aligning with the guidelines of the IUCN.
5. How does the Red Data Book use colours to represent information?
Traditionally, the Red Data Book used different coloured pages to signify the threat level of the species listed on them. For example, pink pages were used for Critically Endangered species, highlighting their immediate need for conservation. Green pages were used for species that were formerly endangered but have now recovered to a stable level. This colour-coding system provides a quick visual reference for the conservation status of different species.
6. What are some examples of Indian species listed in the Red Data Book?
India's Red Data Book lists numerous species across different threat categories. Some well-known examples include:
- Animals: The Asiatic Lion (Endangered), the Bengal Tiger (Endangered), the Lion-Tailed Macaque (Endangered), the Nilgiri Tahr (Endangered), and the Snow Leopard (Vulnerable).
- Plants: Several species of orchids and medicinal plants, such as the Malabar Mahogany, are listed due to habitat loss and over-exploitation.
7. How does the Red Data Book differ from a Green Data Book?
The Red Data Book and Green Data Book serve complementary but distinct purposes. The Red Data Book focuses on cataloguing species that are rare, threatened, or endangered. In contrast, a Green Data Book is a smaller, more specialised publication that lists species that were previously endangered but have now recovered to a point where they are no longer considered threatened, primarily due to successful conservation efforts.
8. What are the main limitations or disadvantages of the Red Data Book?
While the Red Data Book is an invaluable conservation tool, it has some limitations. The information can sometimes become outdated because population assessments are resource-intensive and not conducted annually for all species. Furthermore, it traditionally has a stronger focus on vertebrates and vascular plants, with less comprehensive data on invertebrates, fungi, and microbes. The accuracy of the data also depends heavily on the quality and transparency of the information provided from various sources.
