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Red List


Red lists are lists of animal and plant species, plant communities, habitats and habitat complexes that are either extinct, have disappeared or are endangered.

These scientific reports document the threat status for a given area and assess the level of threat based on stock size and stock development.

Red Lists...

  • serve to inform the general public about endangered species and habitats,
  • provide a readily available reference for spatial and environment-related planning,
  • highlight the need for nature conservation measures,
  • push nature conservation up the policy agenda,
  • are a source of data concerning legislative measures and international Red Lists,
  • serve in coordinating international nature conservation activities,
  • serve in checking the degree of implementation of the National Biodiversity Strategy and,
  • highlight the areas in which further research is necessary.

Red lists are usually drawn up and published by nature conservation agencies.

For Germany, the Red Lists published by the federal government and each of the sixteen federal states (Länder) are of particular importance.

Red Lists of threatened species

BfN published Volume 1 (Vertebrates – see assessment) of the current German Red List of animals, plants and fungi in October 2009 as No. 70 (1) of the "Naturschutz und Biologische Vielfalt" (Nature Conservation and Biodiversity) publication series. Volume 6 (Fungi – Part 2) has been published in August 2011. Seven volumes are planned in all. The new lists use the revised methodology (see Advancing and expanding the Red Lists).

 Red Lists of threatened species

Red Data Book on endangered habitats (ecosystems)

The most recent Red List of endangered habitat types was published in 2006 as No. 34 of the BfN publication series "Naturschutz und Biologische Vielfalt" (Nature Conservation and Biodiversity).

 Red Data Book on endangered habitats (ecosystems)

Further Development of the Red Lists

An increased need for additional information, the ongoing threatened status of certain species and ecosystems and the need to fulfil national obligations under international treaties (the Habitats Directive, the Rio Convention, the Ramsar Convention, the Bonn Convention, etc.) all support the need for further development of the Red Lists.

 Further development of the Red Lists

Publications

BfN publications with order information as well as more Red List related publications.

 Red List Publications

Last Change: 01/07/2011

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