The Data

IUCN Red List of Threatened Species

The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species (also known as the IUCN Red List) is a rich compendium of information on threats, ecological requirements, and habitats of over 128,918 species; and on conservation actions that can be taken to reduce or prevent extinctions. It is based on an objective system for assessing the risk of extinction of a species based on past, present, and projected threats. Species assessments are conducted following a standardized process using the rigorous IUCN Red List Categories and Criteria, ensuring the highest standards of scientific documentation, information management, expert review, and justification. IUCN aims to re-evaluate the IUCN Red List category every five to ten years to monitor change.

World Database on Protected Areas

The World Database on Protected Areas (WDPA) is a joint project between UN Environment and the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN), managed by UN Environment World Conservation Monitoring Centre. Data for the WDPA is collected from international convention secretariats, governments, and collaborating NGOs. The WDPA uses the IUCN definition of a protected area as the main criteria for entries included in the database.

World Database of Key Biodiversity Areas

Key Biodiversity Areas (KBA) are 'sites contributing significantly to the global persistence of biodiversity’, in terrestrial, freshwater and marine ecosystems. Sites qualify as global KBAs if they meet one or more of 11 criteria, clustered into five categories: threatened biodiversity; geographically restricted biodiversity; ecological integrity; biological processes; and, irreplaceability. The World Database of Key Biodiversity Areas is managed by BirdLife International on behalf of the KBA Partnership.