Red-Tailed Black Cockatoo

1.4 Categorising Using IUCN Criteria

Figure 5 presents a simplified form of the International Union for Conservation of Nature and Natural Resources’ (IUCN) threatened species categories and criteria (IUCN 1994). These criteria are used to assess taxa for listing in The Red Data Book which highlights those species most at risk and in need of conservation. (See Extentention on E4)

To assess the status of the RTBC we need to draw together the results gained in sections 1.1-1.3 and place them on the continuum of degrees of threat, as presented by Figure 5.

Figure 5. Simplified IUCN Conservation Status Criteria (IUCN 1994)

Population
Range
Decline
	Critical	Endangered	Vulnerable	Conservation Dependent/Near Threatened/Other
	<250 mature individuals.(m.i.)	<2,500 m.i.	<10,000 m.i.	Taxon receiving conservation management without which it would qualify at higher levels within 5 years/not Con. Dept. but close to Vulnerable category/Data Deficient etc.
	<100km² E.O.(1) or <10km² A.O. (2)	<5,000km² E.O. or <500km² A.O.	<20,000km² E.O. or <2,000km² A.O.
	>80% decline over 10 years, or 3 generations (*3)	>50% over 10 years, or 3 generations	>20% over 10 years, or 3 generations
	1 Extent of Occurrence: all known, inferred or projected sites of present occurrence. 2 Area of Occupancy: area within the E.O. which is occupied by the taxon (excludes unused habitat). *3 Generation: can be assumed to be c. 4 years for RTBC (age of full adult plumage).

Q.8 Transfer your answers to questions 1, 3 and 6 to Figure 5 by placing a solid circle at the three points on the continuum that you think best represent RTBC population, range and decline.

The IUCN employs the precautionary principle, or “responsible pessimism” (Collar et.al. 1994), to their assessments; this means that taxa are classified at the highest level of threat for which a value is recorded, not necessarily the criterion which corresponds with the greatest number of population parameters (IUCN 1994).

Q.9 With the above in mind, what classification do you think the RTBC would receive?

Q.10 Do you agree with this classification?

Extension
1. What % world birds are classified as threatened? (E.4)

2. “ “ Australian birds “ “ “ ? (E.3)

3. What subspecies are there of the RTBC and what is their conservation status? (E.5)

4. Should subspecies receive equal classification and conservation effort as full species?