Spain launches its first National Red List of threatened species using IUCN methodology

On the occasion of the International Day for Biological Diversity, the Spanish Congress of Deputies hosts today the official presentation of Spain's National Red List, an assessment that evaluates the extinction risk of more than 1,500 species. The event, organized by AIZA (Iberian Association of Zoos and Aquariums) in collaboration with the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) - through the Spanish IUCN Committee and the IUCN Centre for Mediterranean Cooperation (IUCN Med) - has brought together more than 80 experts from scientific bodies, political officials, and wildlife managers to discuss extinction challenges and conservation strategies both in captivity and in the wild.

This National Red List has been developed by the Spanish Species Specialist Group  established in February 2024, and represents one of the first initiatives of this kind at national level within the IUCN's Species Survival Commission (SSC). The process has received technical support from the Spanish IUCN Committee and IUCN Med, as well as backing from the Ministry for the Ecological Transition and Demographic Challenge (MITECO).

Dr. Vivek Menon, Chair of the IUCN Species Survival Commission, has participated in the opening of the event, reflecting the commitment of both the Spanish Government and the international scientific community to the protection of biodiversity in Spain.

“The IUCN Red List is the most important tool guiding biodiversity conservation worldwide. While global Red Lists have always served to determine whether a species is threatened or not, rigorous scientific assessments at the national level are essential to inform effective public policies and mobilize resources where they are most needed. Spain’s Red List is an example of how science can be translated into concrete actions to protect our natural heritage,” highlighted Vivek Menon, Chair of the IUCN Species Survival Commission and member of the IUCN Council.

The meeting brought together the main Spanish scientific societies for conservation - the Spanish Herpetological Association, the Iberian Society for the Conservation and Study of Mammals, the Iberian Society of Ichthyology, the Spanish Association for the Conservation and Study of Bats, and specialists in sharks, rays and chimeras along with presentations of ex situ and in situ conservation projects from leading zoological institutions such as the Barcelona Zoo, the Zaragoza Aquarium, the Jerez Botanical Zoo, the Cabárceno Nature Park, the BIOPARC Aquarium of Gijón, the Poema del Mar Aquarium, Selwo Park and the Loro Parque Foundation.

Risk of extinction, conservation challenge

Iconic species such as the spur-thighed tortoise (Testudo graeca), the Iberian tree frog (Hyla molleri), the Pyrenean desman (Galemys pyrenaicus), and the angel shark (Squatina squatina) were the focus of today's presentations. Each represents a specific challenge: habitat loss, pollution, bycatch in fishing gear, or collision with electrical infrastructure.

Alongside the scientific assessments, examples of successful intervention have been presented: the captive breeding of Cabrera's vole (Microtus cabrerae), the conservation programme for the Atlantic salmon (Salmo salar) and the in situ-ex situ conservation project for the brown bear.

“Biodiversity conservation is one of the great challenges of the 21st century, and this National Red List, which AIZA has promoted in collaboration with IUCN, will be key to preserving Spain’s most threatened species in the future,” said Javier Almunia, president of AIZA.

The national Red List

The Red List allows for the identification of species at risk of extinction. This helps define conservation priorities and design intervention strategies. The National Red List applies internationally recognized methodologies, developed by IUCN, adapted to the ecological and territorial realities of each country, evaluating native terrestrial, marine, and freshwater species and classifying them according to their level of threat.

In Spain, some 85,000 species of animals, fungi, and plants have been identified, representing 54% of the species inhabiting Europe and approximately 5% of the species known worldwide. This rich biodiversity places Spain among the most biodiverse countries on the continent.

In this first phase of the National Red List, the evaluation of 1580 species from these groups has been included, of which 471 are classified as threatened according to the IUCN Red List criteria.

“The Red List should be understood as a dynamic tool for knowledge and management. New assessments are continually being incorporated and the available information is updated to improve our understanding of the conservation status of species and better guide conservation priorities,” says Luis Santiago Cano-Alonso, coordinator of the Spanish Species Specialist Group.

Today's conference aimed to move beyond the assessment and open a dialogue on how to operationalize conservation: from basic research to direct intervention in wild populations, including captive breeding programs that generate scientific learning and maintain genetic resources. The projects presented demonstrate that Spanish institutions have the experience and determination necessary to reverse extinction trends, but they require a political and budgetary framework to support these efforts.

The event was broadcast live via the Congress website (congreso.es).

Link to the website: Lista Roja Nacional de España.