DataSheet_1_A decision framework to integrate in-situ and ex-situ management for species in the European Union.docx

Zoos and aquaria in the European Union (EU) can play a crucial role in the conservation of EU species, as they currently hold nearly half (49%) of EU terrestrial vertebrates. In this study, we analyzed the species composition and population sizes of EU zoos and developed a framework to prioritize recommendations for additional ex-situ and in-situ interventions for 277 at-risk EU species. Our results showed that EU zoos currently hold 39% of threatened EU species, 27% of EU endemic species, 62% of EU species vulnerable to climate change, 20% of EU species listed by the Alliance for Zero Extinction (AZE), 25% of Evolutionary Distinct and Globally Endangered (EDGE) EU species, while only 5% are subject to ex-situ conservation. Using our framework, we found that additional captive breeding was recommended for 60-61%% of species while expanding protected areas was recommended for only 2–22%, as 217 out of 277 species already met habitat protection targets. Both interventions were recommended for up to 20% of species, while the remaining 18% required no interventions because captive populations and habitat protection fully met targets. Our flexible framework can support more effective integrated conservation planning decisions for EU species and help identify target species for further in-depth assessment by the IUCN Ex-situ guidelines.

欧盟境内的动物园与水族馆可在欧盟物种保护工作中发挥关键作用，因其目前圈养了近半数（49%）的欧盟陆生脊椎动物。本研究对欧盟动物园的物种组成与种群规模展开分析，并构建了一套评估框架，用以针对277种受威胁的欧盟物种制定迁地（ex-situ）与就地（in-situ）保护干预的优先推荐方案。研究结果显示，欧盟动物园目前圈养了39%的受威胁欧盟物种、27%的欧盟特有物种、62%的易受气候变化影响的欧盟物种、20%的零灭绝联盟（Alliance for Zero Extinction, AZE）收录的欧盟物种、25%的进化独特性全球濒危（Evolutionary Distinct and Globally Endangered, EDGE）欧盟物种，而仅5%的物种得到了迁地保护。通过本框架分析发现，需开展额外圈养繁育的物种占比为60%-61%，而仅需扩大保护区的物种占比为2%-22%——这是因为277个目标物种中已有217种达成了栖息地保护目标。两类保护干预均需实施的物种占比最高可达20%，剩余18%的物种则无需任何干预，因其圈养种群与栖息地保护均已达标。本研究提出的灵活框架可助力欧盟物种保护工作制定更高效的整合保护规划决策，并可协助识别需依据国际自然保护联盟（International Union for Conservation of Nature, IUCN）迁地保护指南开展进一步深度评估的目标物种。