The IUCN Red List: A Barometer of Life

當大家聽到國際自然保護聯盟(IUCN)瀕危物種紅色名錄時，他們的腦海中大概會顯現出一長串的名字。
（IUCN＝國際自然保護聯盟）

However, the IUCN Red List is actually so much more than just a list.
然而，IUCN紅色名錄不僅僅是一個名錄，它的功能遠強大許多。

In fact, we like to think of it as a kind of barometer.
事實上，我們可以將這個名錄想像成一個氣壓計。

A barometer of life if you will.
你也可以想像成一個生物氣壓計。

Barometers are instruments that measure atmospheric pressure. 
氣壓計是一個測量大氣壓力的儀器。

By forecasting changes in the weather, they help us prepare for storms and prevent catastrophes. 
經由預測天氣變化，它幫助人類提前為暴風雨或天氣帶來的災難做好準備。

As a barometer of life, the IUCN Red List measures pressures on species.
作為一個生物氣壓計，IUCN紅色名錄測量的是各種生物所承受的生存壓力。

This in turn helps guide appropriate conservation actions to prevent extinctions 
它可以逐步的引導我們採取正確的行動來預防生物滅絕。

Of course, to really understand the global importance of the IUCN Red List we need to get inside it.
當然，要明白IUCN紅色名錄在全球的重要性，我們需要深入了解它。

The IUCN Red List already includes extinction risk assessments for over 70,000 species so it certainly is long.
IUCN紅色名錄非常冗長，因為收錄了高達7萬種被評估為高滅絕風險的生物。

However, it's the depth and substance of the list that makes it such an important tool for scientists, educators, conservationists, policymakers and the public.
然而，正因為此名錄的深度和本質，讓它成為一個很重要的工具，對於科學家、教育家、自然環境保護者、政治決策者和社會大眾。

Inside the IUCN Red List is a wealth of information.
瀏覽IUCN紅色名錄，你會發現它是一個包羅萬象的資料庫。

Along with its current status, you will discover where the species occurs, what threats are affecting it, what habitats are essential for its survival and conservation actions needed to protect the species and its ecosystems.
伴隨這份名錄所提供的生物現況，你可以了解到這些生物會在哪出現、他們正被何種威脅影響生存、什麼類型的棲地對這些生物要存活是至關重要的，並且該採取何種保護行動才能維持這些生物和他們生態系統的完整。

You can even encounter good news such as which species are improving in status and why.
你甚至可能偶然發現某些生物正在復育當中、恢復良好的因素和好消息。

Yes, this is a lot of information to compile.
是的，這個資料庫中的情報是不計其數的。

Fortunately, IUCN works with a global network of specialists who gather data and carry out assessments.
幸運的是，IUCN與國際上許多專家成立了互聯網，他們藉由各自搜集來的資料作出有效評估。

As a barometer of life, the IUCN Red List assesses and monitors the status of entire groups of species.
作為一個生物氣壓計，IUCN紅色名錄負責評估和監控整個環境當中的各種生物狀態。

Each year, more assessments are added continually improving the IUCN Red List ability to represent the world's biodiversity.
每年都有更多的生物因評估結果被加入IUCN紅色名錄當中，顯示出世界上的生物多樣性正在增加當中。

Our target is to assess at least 260,000 species so there is always a lot more work to be done.
我們的目標是至少對26萬個生物作出評估，所以永遠有更多的任務等著我們去完成。

The IUCN Red List is such a powerful tool that it is used by the Convention on Biological Diversity to help monitor the status of threatened species.
IUCN紅色名錄是一個強而有力的工具，它在生物多樣性公約上被廣泛運用來監控那些瀕危的物種。

Most countries in the world have agreed on a plan to stop biodiversity loss.
國際上，大部分的國家都已協議好要制定一個計畫來防止生物多樣性的流失。

For them, the IUCN Red List is an essential resource to help highlight where their efforts are succeeding and where they are not.
對於他們來說，IUCN紅色名錄是一個至關重要的資源，因為它可以讓這些國家知道，他們在這上面付出的努力有效與否。

The IUCN Red List is an increasingly diverse and powerful tool but it can sometimes be misunderstood.
IUCN紅色名錄是一個漸漸多元和強大的工具，但它的本意仍然有可能被誤會。

For instance, some people believe that it lists only threatened species.
比如，有些人以為它只會羅列出瀕危的物種。

In 1964, the IUCN Red List set out to identify only the most threatened plants and animals.
西元1964年，IUCN紅色名錄開始著手認證世界上最瀕危的植物和動物。

But now it contains both threatened and non threatened species.
不過現在，他們收錄的資料已包含瀕危和正常物種。

In fact, it includes all species that have ever been assessed even those that are widespread.
事實上，它收錄了所有被評估的物種，即便那些物種廣泛地散佈在世界上。

Another common mistake is that if a species is not listed, it must not be threatened.
另一個常見的誤會是，如果某個生物沒有被列在紅色名錄當中，那他一定不是瀕危動物。

Wrong, not being on the IUCN Red List only means that the species hasn't been assessed yet, and unfortunately we don't have enough resources to constantly know the status of every species.
這是錯誤的，未被收錄在IUCN紅色名錄當中僅能代表這個生物尚未接受過評估；而不幸的是，我們並沒有足夠的資源讓我們去了解所有物種的狀況。

Therefore, an unlisted species may be threatened we just don't know yet.
因此，尚未被收錄的物種也有可能是瀕危物種，只不過我們尚未掌握他的情況罷了。

Misconceptions such as these can lead people and organizations to misuse the IUCN Red List.
以上這些錯誤觀念可能導致大眾和組織誤用IUCN紅色名錄。

So let's look at an example of the IUCN Red List being used.
所以讓我們來看看一個IUCN紅色名錄被正確使用的範例。

These people are involved in a roadway project that will cut across an entire region.
這些人正在建造一個公路計劃，這個計劃大到跨越整個地區。

However, they don't want their project to harm any threatened plants or animals in the area.
然而，他們並不希望他們的計劃影響到區域內的任何瀕危動植物。

The IUCN Red List can quickly identify globally threatened species that might occur in the region.
IUCN紅色名錄可以快速的辨認出世界上任何可能出現在查詢者所在區域的瀕危物種。

Surveys can then confirm their presence in the area, allowing these species to be considered in an environmental impact assessment.
考察小組就可以確認什麼生物可能會出現在該區域，進而將這些物種納入環境評估當中。

Remember the IUCN Red List tells us about global extinction risk.
記得，IUCN紅色名錄會告訴我們世界上各種物種面臨滅絕的風險。

To refine a species list for a specific area, other tools must also be used.
但若要推敲出一個特定區域的物種清單，就需要其他工具的輔助。

Things like national red lists, local surveys, national conservation priority lists and consultations with species experts.
比如：全國紅色名錄、當地調查資料、全國優先保護名錄和與物種專家的會議資料。

Now you can see why we call the IUCN Red List a barometer of life.
相信現在你可以理解為何我們稱IUCN紅色名錄為生物的氣壓計了。

When used properly, it truly is a powerful tool.
當它被正確的使用時，的確會是一個強大的工具。

Learn more about the IUCN Red List at www.iucnredlist.org
想知道更多關於IUCN紅色名錄的資訊，請上www.iucnredlist.org

 

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