Conservation-dependent species
Conservation status |
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Extinct |
Threatened |
Lower Risk |
Other categories |
Related topics |
![]() Comparison of Red List classes above and NatureServe status below ![]() |

A conservation-dependent species is a
This category is part of the IUCN 1994 Categories & Criteria (version 2.3), which is no longer used in evaluation of taxa, but persists in the
Conservation-dependent species require maintenance additional to the use of the United States Endangered Species Act of 1973. This act is said to protect species from extinction by concerns and acts of conservation.[1]
Challenges
Conservation-dependent species rely on population connectivity between humans and animals to maintain their life. Connectivity is based in regard to the federal regulatory provisions that protect the species and its habitat. Habitats and species are difficult to conserve when they are not susceptible to the regulations put in place.[2] It is also seen that laws and acts have flaws that cause gaps in their motive. The Endangered Species Act fails to account for biological ecosystem conservation and threats to a species presence.[3] Conservation in these conditions causes data gaps and leads to the depletion of species.
Funding of the federal provisions show to be a major concern when efforts are being made to conserve species. Legal members who don't agree on where funding should go cause more harm to the conservation-dependent species by making no effort for restoration. Despite legal efforts for defining a restoration program and setting regulatory provisions, conservation-dependent species are still in danger.[4]
Flora vs Fauna conservation methods
While conservation dependent plants and animals fall under the same risk status in the environment different methods are used to protect them. Conservation dependent animals are typically protected by recovery plans and agreements for conservation by the government.[5] Plants that are conservation dependent have less protection behind them as the major method for conservation is keeping a habitat healthy. In order to do so, keeping areas uncivilized and minimizing pollution emissions are predictable solutions.[6] Keeping the flora(plants) and fauna(animals) in their region out of the conservation dependent category is the main goal of these methods.
Threatened categories
Species that are considered Conservation- Dependent are under the
- Near Threatened (NT)
- Conservation Dependent (CD)
- Least Concern (LC)
Conservation Attempts
In fisheries around the world, there is a list of rules that people must follow which are in place as a conservation effort. These rules protect the conservation dependent listing of Scalloped Hammerhead shark (
- Reporting catch by phone: fishers must report their catch of a shark to QDAF's automated interactive voice response.
- Species specific catch and discard information in logbooks: all catches of sharks must be recorded in a log book.
- Data validation: one hour after docking when there is a shark on board, fisheries officers are allowed to inspect boat and catches.
Conservation-dependent animals

Examples of conservation-dependent species include the
As of December 2015, there remains 209 conservation-dependent plant species and 29 conservation-dependent animal species.
As of September 2022, the IUCN still lists 20 conservation-dependent animal species, and one conservation-dependent subpopulations or stocks.
Reptiles
- Bear paw clam
- China clam
- Maxima clam
- Fluted giant clam
Arthropods
- Mono Lake brine shrimp
- Attheyella yemanjae
- Canthocamptus campaneri
- Metacyclops campestris
- Murunducaris juneae
- Muscocyclops bidentatus
- Muscocyclops therasiae
- California ground cricket
- Ponticyclops boscoi
- Spaniacris deserticola
- Stenopelmatus nigrocapitatus
- Thermocyclops parvus
EPBC Act
In Australia, the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999 still uses a "Conservation Dependent" category for classifying fauna and flora species. Species recognized as "Conservation Dependent" do not receive special protection, as they are not considered "matters of national environmental significance under the EPBC Act". Any assemblage of species may be listed as a "threatened ecological community" under the EPBC Act. Fauna may be classified under this category if its flora is directly threatened.
The legislation uses categories similar to those of the IUCN 1994 Categories & Criteria. It does not, however, have a
As of December 2018, eight species of fishes have received the status under the act:[8]
- Orange roughy (Hoplostethus atlanticus)
- Silver gemfish (Rexea solandri)
- School shark (Galeorhinus galeus)
- Southern bluefin tuna (Thunnus maccoyii)
- Southern dogfish (Centrophorus zeehaani)
- Dumb gulper shark (Centrophorus harrissoni)
- Blue warehou (Seriolella brama)
- Scalloped hammerhead (Sphyrna lewini)
No flora has been given the category under the EPBC Act.
See also
- Conservation-reliant species
- IUCN Red List conservation dependent species, ordered by taxonomic rank.
- Category:IUCN Red List conservation dependent species, ordered alphabetically.
References
- ^ US EPA, OP (2013-02-22). "Summary of the Endangered Species Act". epa.gov. Retrieved 2023-03-21.
- ISSN 1755-263X.
- JSTOR 2385897.
- ISSN 1755-263X.
- ^ Fisheries, NOAA (2021-01-27). "Recovery of Endangered and Threatened Species | NOAA Fisheries". NOAA. Retrieved 2023-03-21.
- ^ "How Are Rare Plants Conserved?". fs.usda.gov. Retrieved 2023-03-21.
- ^ "Australian Marine Conservation Society - AMCS". Australian Marine Conservation Society. Retrieved 2023-03-26.
- . Retrieved 2023-03-21.