Barbara Goettsch is a Dr in Ecology graduated from the University of Sheffield, United Kingdom. Through academic institutions, non-government organizations and the Mexican Federal Government, she has ...
IUCN COMMISSION GROUP
IUCN SSC Cactus and Succulent Plants Specialist Group
Group leadership
Dr Barbara GOETTSCH
Barbara Goettsch is a Dr in Ecology graduated from the University of Sheffield, United Kingdom. Through academic institutions, non-government organizations and the Mexican Federal Government, she has contributed to several research projects on Plant Conservation. She worked for Mexico’s National Institute of Ecology, her activities included managing the country’s List of Threatened Species, collaboration with Mexican institutions to represent Mexico in International Conventions such as CITES, collaborative work prioritising, planning, coordinating and financing research projects for CITES species such as Guayacán (Guayacum sanctum) and Candelilla (Euphorbia antiyphilitica). Her passion for cacti dates back to the early days of her carrier. She has been specialising on this group for over 14 years. Her vast field experience, mainly in the Chihuahuan Desert, places her as one of the ten most prolific botanical collectors of this group of plants. In 2001 she became a member of the IUCN Cactus and Succulent Specialist Group. Her interest in the conservation of cacti drove her to direct the Global Cactus Assessment for the IUCN Red List and for this effort she was honoured with the Harry Messel Award for Conservation Leadership in 2012. Since 2010 she has been a member of the IUCN Red List Committee.
More about the Specialist Group
Currently the CSSG have members in Asia, Africa, Europe, North America, and South America. Established in 1984, the CSSG belongs to a wide network of working groups managed by the IUCN SSC, the global authority on the threats facing the natural world (catalogued via the IUCN Red List), and the conservation measures needed to protect it. In mid-2017 the CSSG held a workshop at Desert Botanical Garden, with the shared goals of producing an authoritative list of ...
The mission of the Cactus and Succulent Plants Specialist Group (CSSG) is to contribute to the conservation of cactus and succulent plants through better understanding of their taxonomy, ecology and threats. Improving national legislation of threatened succulent species, and bettering trade controls to counter the various risks and exploitation they face. Better educating on how we should conserve and use such species sustainably.
Specialist Group work
The CSSG is part of the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN)'s Species Survival Commission (SSC); the IUCN is the world’s oldest and largest international conservation organisation, and the global authority on both the status of the natural world and the measures needed to protect it.
Action Plan for the Integrated Conservation of the Genus
This plan outlines measures to support the recovery of Copiapoa cacti, a highly threatened group of plants found only in Chile’s hyper-arid Atacama Desert.
Assess the threats facing the cactus family
One of our major goals and undertakings has been assessing the risks facing the cactus family.
CSSG on the IUCN Red List
To inform conservation efforts, CSSG assesses species for the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species.
Annual Report
Learn about CSSG’s work and results in 2024 and 2025.
Previous reports:
CSSG Annual Report 2023
CSSG Annual Report 2022
CSSG Annual Report 2021
CSSG Annual Report 2020
CSSG Annual Report 2018
CSSG Annual Report 2016-2017
Conservation Success Stories
Showcasing how SSC Groups are making a difference for species conservation.
Featured Projects
- Publication of a Paper entitled "High proportion of cactus species threatened with extinction" published in October 2015 in the journal Nature Plants reached 100 citations in March 2020.
This important study that highlights the main results from the Global Cactus Assessment has been key in our efforts to raise awareness on the extinction risk of cacti among the general public. Because of this study, we now know cacti are among the most threatened taxonomic groups assessed to date; with 31% of species threatened, cacti are more at risk than birds or mammals.
In addition, this work shows the main threats that are deteriorating and destroying cacti and its habitat, which is essential information to plan effective conservation actions. It also shows that the development of global species assessments for major plant groups can be done with relatively moderate resources. The number of citations reached is evidence of the impact such studies can have in conservation efforts.
- The exhibition ‘Copiapoa, Patriarchs of the Andes’
organised by member Andrea Cattabriga during ‘La Festa del Cactus’, one of the most important Italian commercial exhibitions specializing in succulents. The photographic exhibition, dedicated to the genus Copiapoa, targeted the 3,500+ succulent enthusiasts from all over Europe who visited the exhibition to raise awareness on how their consumer behaviour can fuel illegal poaching and smuggling markets, which are driving many of the species in this genus to extinction.
The creators of this photographic exhibition are Marco Giani, Engineer from Tradate (Italy), Cesar Cabero, Agronomist from Buenos Aires (Argentina) and Carlos Quevedo, Professor of History and Literature from Santiago (Chile). To participate in the sensory experience of an eagle’s flight over the habitat of Copiapoa in Chile, check this video.
Hesperoyucca newberryi, flower closeup black background. Credit: Wendy Hodgson
plant specialist groups - thematic break out. Credit: IUCN SSC Cactus and Succulent Plants Specialist Group (CSSG)
