Jaric et al., Science responses to IUCN Red Listing. Peerj - Supplementary material

Supplementary material for: Jaric et al., Science responses to IUCN Red Listing. Peerj

Abstract - The
IUCN Red List of Threatened Species is often advocated as a tool to
assist decision-making in conservation investment and research focus.
It is frequently suggested that research efforts should prioritize
species in higher threat categories and those that are Data Deficient
(DD). We assessed the linkage between IUCN listing and research
effort in DD and Critically Endangered (CR) species, two groups
generally advocated as research priorities. The analysis of the
change in the research output following species classification
indicated a listing effect in DD species, while such effect was
observed in only a minority of CR species groups. DD species, while
chronically understudied, seem to be recognized as research
priorities, while research effort for endangered species appears to
be driven by various factors other than the IUCN listing. Optimized
conservation research focus would require international science
planning efforts, harmonized through international mechanisms and
promoted by financial and other incentives.