報道発表 「自然保護活動の成功も霞む多くの生物

報道発表
「自然保護活動の成功も霞む多くの生物種の減少」
2015 年 6 月 23 日(IUCN 国際自然保護連合。本部スイス・グラン)
自然保護活動の成功によって、スペインオオヤマネコやグアダルーペオットセイの個体数を増加させる一
方、アフリカゴールデンキャット、ニュージーランドアシカ、ライオンがその生存の危機においやられている
ことが、最新の IUCN レッドリストの発表で明らかとなった。観葉植物として非常に高い金額で取引されるも
のもあるアジア熱帯地域のアツモリソウの 99%が絶滅の危機に瀕している。
今日の発表では、過剰採集や生息地の破壊によって多くの薬用植物に深刻な圧力が係っていることが示
されている。
IUCN レッドリストの最新の発表では、77340 種が評価され、そのうち 22,784 種が絶滅の危機にあるとして
いる。生息地の破壊は IUCN レッドリストに記載されている種の 85%で主な絶滅要因とされ、次いで、違法
取引、外来種の導入が個体数減少の要因と分析されている。
「今回のレッドリストの更新で、効果的な保全活動は、多大な成果をもたらすことが確信できた」とインガー
アンデルセン IUCN 事務局長は語る「地域の暮らしや社会を守りつつ、絶滅の淵からスペインオオヤマネコ
を救ったことは、その最たる見本だろう」「しかし、今回の発表は、私たちの世界が、ますます壊れやすい脆
弱なものになりつつあるということを知らせる警鐘ともなっている。私たちを守り、多くのインスピレーション
を与え、驚かせてくれるこの魅力的な生命の多様さを守りたいならば、国際社会は自然保護の取り組みを
緊急に発展させなければらない」
60 年以上にわたり減少を続けてきた結果、2002 年に成熟個体が 52 頭しかいなくなったスペインオオヤマ
ネコ(Lynx pardinus) は 2012 年までに156頭まで回復した。これをうけ、絶滅危惧ⅠA 類から、絶滅危惧
ⅠB 類へと移された。スペインオオヤマネコの主なえさとなるウサギの個体数の回復、違法な罠の監視、保
全繁殖活動、再導入事業、スペインオオヤマネコが必要とする生態系となるよう土地の使い方を合わせた
土地所有者への補償措置などなど、多くの集中的な保全活動のおかげで生まれた成果である。この生物
種は、スペイン南西部の二つの地域と、再導入事業が行われたポルトガル南東部にのみ見られる。
「スペインオオヤマネコに関する本当にファンタスティックなニュースで、自然保護活動がしっかりと成果を
生み出せるという最高の証となりました」ウース・ブライテンモーサー(Urs Breitenmoser)IUCN 種の保存
委員会ネコ科動物専門家グループ副代表は語る。「しかし、この取り組みはまだまだ終わりではなく、将来
にわたって生息地域の拡大や個体数の回復を確保するための保全活動は継続していかなければならな
い」
狩猟により 1800 年と 1920 年代に二回にわたって絶滅したと考えられたグアダルーペオットセイはその状
態を改善しつつある。生息地の保護やアメリカ合衆国の海洋哺乳類保護法などの法制度強化によって、今
回、準絶滅危惧種(Near Threatened)から、軽度懸念(Least Concern)に移った。グアダルーペオットセイ
は、1950 年代に 200 頭から 500 頭に個体数が回復し、2010 年には 20,000 頭にまで回復した。高級毛皮
の素材として利用される前は、グアダルーペオットセイは、南カリフォルニア諸島でもっとも数の多いオット
セイとされ、およそ20万頭生息していたと考えられている。
今回の更新によると、狩猟から生息地の損失から危機の増大に直面している哺乳類がいることもわかった。
アフリカゴールデンキャット (Caracal aurata)は、個体数の減少により準絶滅危惧種から、絶滅危惧Ⅱ類と
された。世界的にみても極めて珍しいアシカの一種であるニュージーランドアシカ(Phocarctos hookeri) は、
病気の蔓延、漁業による生息地の改変、魚網に引っかかるなどの事故死により、絶滅危惧Ⅱ類から絶滅
危惧ⅠB 類と危機の判断が引き上げられた。19世紀初頭の商用捕獲によっておきた深刻な個体数減少か
らいまだ回復する兆しが見られない。
南アフリカにおける保全活動の成功にもかかわらず、他の地域での減少を理由に、ライオンはいまだ絶滅
危惧Ⅱ類の評価を保持した。西アフリカの地域個体群は、生息地の転換や非持続可能なハンティングによ
って引き起こされた捕食動物の減少、人とライオンの接触を理由に絶滅危惧ⅠA 類と評価された。急速な
減少は、歴史的にはライオン有数の生息域であった東アフリカでも記録され、主として、人とライオンの接
触や捕食動物の減少に起因する。アフリカ地域やアジア地域双方において、伝統的医薬の材料としてのラ
イオンの骨やその他の部位の取引が、新しい、かつ、緊急の危機要因であることが確認された。
最も美しい観葉植物である、熱帯のアジアのアツモリソウ全84種の評価によって、99%が絶滅の危機にあ
ることが明らかとなった。園芸目的による過剰採集と生息地の破壊が主要因である。この種の国際取引は、
ワシントン条約により禁止されている。しかし、国レベルでの適切な法執行の不足から、悪影響の極めて大
きい違法取引が継続していると見られる。これらの種の多くは栽培技術も生まれているが、野生個体の損
失は、遺伝的多様性の損失や種の存続に悪影響をもたらすものと考えられている。例えば、 ベトナム、中
国、香港で見られる珍しい Purple Paphiopedilum (ラン科パフィオペディルム属 Paphiopedilum
purpuratum)は絶滅危惧ⅠA 類とされた。危機要因には、アジアや国際的な園芸取引のための生息地の
断片化や、野生蘭の容赦ない採集がある。
インドで薬用植物とされている 44 種が、今回の IUCN レッドリストのアップデートでリスト入りした。過剰採集
と生息域の損失により、その全てが絶滅の危機に瀕している。強い毒性を持ち、インドとパキスタンのヒマ
ラヤ地域に固有の Aconitum chasmanthum(キンポウゲ科トリカブト属)は、塊茎と根茎の非持続的な採
集と、雪崩と高地への道路建設による生息域の損失により、絶滅危惧ⅠA 類に指定された。アルカロイドを
含む塊茎と根茎は、アユールヴェーダやホメオパシーでの薬として大量に採集されている。
カニの仲間である Karstama balicum と Karstama emdi は、唯一の生息地として知られるバリ島のギリ・
プトリ洞窟への観光客増加と宗教的行事の実施により、絶滅危惧ⅠA 類に指定された。カニの仲間に関す
る研究は、適切な保全戦略作成のために進められている。
カリブ海地域のハゼ類 143 種のうち、19 種が絶滅の危機に瀕している。その原因は、主に 1979 年~2011
年の間におきたサンゴ礁生息地面積の 59%近い減少によるものと、外来種であるミノカサゴ(Pterois
volitans)によるものである。ハゼ類は、海産魚のうち最も大きな科のひとつであり、世界で最も小さな脊椎
動物を含む、2000 種以上から成る。絶滅危惧 IA 類とされている体長 1~1.5cm のパンダカミグミア(Pandaka
pygmaea)や、絶滅危惧Ⅱ類とされている最大で 3cm にしかならないペパーミントハゼ(Coryphopterus
lipernes)を含む。最近、軽度懸念と評価されたグラスハゼ(Coryphopterus hyalinus)は外来種であるミノカ
サゴによる被害の増加から、絶滅危惧Ⅱ類とされた。
一方、今回新たに「絶滅」と判定された種はないが、14 種が絶滅危惧ⅠA 類(絶滅した可能性あり)として
評価された。14 種には、ハイチの固有種であり、前世紀の間に森林生息地の 97%が減少したとされたサカ
キの一種(Magnolia emarginata)が含まれる。マダガスカル固有の 10 種のラン(例:白い花を咲かせる
(Angraecum mahavavense))も、森林生息域の損失と違法採集により、IUCN レッドリストの絶滅危惧Ⅰ
A 類(絶滅した可能性あり)となった。
IUCN のグローバルスピーシーズプログラムのディレクターであるジェーン・スマートは、「保全活動の結果
により、いくつかの種のステータスに改善が見られたことは、励みになります」と述べる。「しかし、今回のア
ップデートは、私達は依然として、生物種個体数が壊滅的に減少している事を示しています。IUCN レッドリ
ストは、私達がどこにもっとも緊急に注力する必要があるか教えてくれる、生物多様性からの声です。この
声は、種を保存し、その損失を止めるため、私達はもっと強い制作を作り、現場の保全プログラムを推進し、
今行動しなければならないと、明確に教えています。」
【仮訳(IUCN 日本委員会による。2015.06.22 12:00 段階) ここまで。以下、原文】
Conservation successes overshadowed by
more species declines – IUCN RedList update
Gland, Switzerland 23 June, 2015 (IUCN) – Successful conservation action has boosted the
populations of the Iberian Lynx and the Guadalupe Fur Seal, while the African Golden Cat, the
New Zealand Sea Lion and the Lion are facing increasing threats to their survival, according
to the latest update of The IUCNRed List of Threatened Species™. Ninety-nine percent of
tropical Asian slipper orchids – some of the most highly prized ornamental plants – are
threatened with extinction.
Today’s update also shows that over-collection and habitat destruction are placing enormous
pressure on many medicinal plants.
The IUCN Red List now includes 77,340 assessed species, of which 22,784 arethreatened with
extinction. The loss and degradation of habitat are identified as the main threat to 85% of all species
described on the IUCN Red List, with illegal trade and invasive species also being key drivers of
population decline.
“This IUCN Red List update confirms that effective conservation can yield outstanding results,” says
Inger Andersen, IUCN Director General. “Saving the Iberian Lynx from the brink of extinction while
securing the livelihoods of local communities is a perfect example.
“But this update is also a wake-up call, reminding us that our natural world is becoming increasingly
vulnerable. The international community must urgently step up conservation efforts if we want to
secure this fascinating diversity of life that sustains, inspires and amazes us every day.”
Following six decades of decline, the population of the Iberian Lynx (Lynx pardinus) increased from
52 mature individuals in 2002 to 156 in 2012. The species has now moved from the Critically
Endangered to Endangered category on the IUCN Red List. This was achieved thanks to intensive
conservation action including the restoration of rabbit populations – the main prey species of the
Iberian Lynx - monitoring for illegal trapping, conservation breeding, reintroduction programmes and
compensation schemes for landowners, which made their properties compatible with the habitat
requirements of the Iberian Lynx. The species can be found in two regions of southwestern Spain,
and in southeastern Portugal, which hosts its small reintroduced population.
“This is fantastic news for the Iberian Lynx, and excellent proof that conservation action really works,”
says Urs Breitenmoser, Co-Chair of the IUCN Species Survival Commission’s Cat Specialist
Group. “However, the job is far from finished and we must continue our conservation efforts to
secure future range expansion and population growth of the species.”
The Guadalupe Fur Seal (Arctocephalus townsendi), which was twice thought to be Extinct due to
hunting in the late 1800s and 1920s, has now improved in status. Is has moved from the Near
Threatened category to Least Concern thanks to habitat protection and the enforcement of laws such
as the USA Marine Mammal Protection Act. The species’ population rebounded from some 200 to
500 individuals in the 1950s to around 20,000 in 2010. Prior to exploitation for its dense, luxurious
underfur, the Guadalupe Fur Seal was likely the most abundant seal species on the islands of
southern California, with a population estimate of 200,000.
According to the update, several mammals are facing increased threats from hunting and habitat
loss. The extremely reclusive African Golden Cat (Caracal aurata) has moved from Near Threatened
to Vulnerable due to population decline. The New Zealand Sea Lion (Phocarctos hookeri) – one of
the rarest sea lions in the world – has moved from Vulnerable to Endangered, mainly due to disease,
habitat modification caused by fishing, and accidental death as a result of bycatch. The species has
never recovered from the severe population depletion which occurred due to commercial hunting
early in the 19 century.
th
Despite successful conservation action in southern Africa, the Lion (Panthera leo)remains listed as
Vulnerable at a global level due to declines in other regions. The West African subpopulation has
been listed as Critically Endangered due to habitat conversion, a decline in prey caused by
unsustainable hunting, and human-lion conflict. Rapid declines have also been recorded in East
Africa – historically a stronghold for lions – mainly due to human-lion conflict and prey decline. Trade
in bones and other body parts for traditional medicine, both within the region and in Asia, has been
identified as a new, emerging threat to the species.
Assessments of all 84 species of tropical Asian slipper orchid – some of the most beautiful
ornamental plants – show that 99% of the species are threatened with extinction, primarily due to
over-collection for horticultural purposes and habitat loss. All international commercial trade in this
species is prohibited under the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species (CITES).
However, highly damaging illegal trade continues due to a lack of adequate enforcement at national
levels. Although these species are mostly represented in cultivated collections, their loss in the wild
will have major impacts on their genetic diversity and the species’ continued existence. For example,
the Purple Paphiopedilum (Paphiopedilum purpuratum), a rare species found in Viet Nam, China and
Hong Kong, is listed as Critically Endangered. Threats include habitat fragmentation and degradation,
and ruthless collection in the wild for the regional and international horticultural trade.
Forty-four Indian species of medicinal plant have been added to the IUCN Red List in this update. All
are threatened with extinction, mainly due to over-collection and habitat loss.Aconitum chasmanthum,
a highly toxic plant endemic to the Himalayan region of India and Pakistan, is listed as Critically
Endangered due to unsustainable collection of tubers and roots, as well as habitat loss from
avalanches and the construction of high-altitude roads. The roots and tubers, which contain alkaloids,
are used in Ayurvedic and homeopathic medicine and are collected in huge quantities.
Two species of crab, Karstama balicum and Karstama emdi, have been listed as Critically
Endangered as their only known habitat – Bali’s Giri Putri Cave – is threatened by increasing tourism
and religious ceremonies carried out in the cave. Studies of the crabs are being carried out in order
to identify appropriate conservation strategies.
Of the 143 species of goby assessed in the Caribbean region, 19 are threatened with extinction
mainly due to a 59% decline in coral reef habitat between 1979 and 2011, and the invasive Lionfish
(Pterois volitans). Gobies are one of the largest families of marine fish. They comprise more than
2,000 species, including some of the smallest vertebrates in the world, such as the Critically
Endangered Dwarf Pygmy Goby (Pandaka pygmaea), which is only 1 to 1.5 cm long. The
Peppermint Goby (Coryphopterus lipernes), which grows to a maximum of 3 cm, has been listed as
Vulnerable. Previously listed as Least Concern, the Glass Goby (Coryphopterus hyalinus) is now
Vulnerable due to increased threat from the invasive Lionfish.
Whilst no new species have been listed as Extinct, 14 species have been assessed as Critically
Endangered (Possibly Extinct). These include the evergreen Magnolia emarginata, a tree endemic to
Haiti, which has suffered from an estimated 97% reduction of its forest habitat during the last century.
Ten species of orchid endemic to Madagascar, such as the white flowering Angraecum
mahavavense, have also entered The IUCN Red List as Critically Endangered (Possibly Extinct)
primarily due to loss of forest habitat and illegal collection.
“It is encouraging to see several species improve in status due to conservation action,” says Jane
Smart, Director, IUCN’s Global Species Programme. “However, this update shows that we are
still seeing devastating losses in species populations. The IUCN Red List is the voice of biodiversity
telling us where we need to focus our attention most urgently – this voice is clearly telling us that we
must act now to develop stronger policy and on-the-ground conservation programmes to protect
species and halt their declines.”
For more information or interviews please contact:
Ewa Magiera, IUCN Media Relations, m +41 76 505 33 78, e [email protected]
Lynne Labanne, IUCN Global Species Programme, IUCN, m +41 79 527 7221, e [email protected]
Notes to editors
The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species™ contributes to the achievement of Target 12 of the 2011 to2020 Strategic Plan
for Biodiversity. Target 12: By 2020 the extinction of known threatened species has been prevented and their conservation
status, particularly of those most in decline, has been improved andsustained.
Global figures for the 2015.2 IUCN Red List of Threatened Species:
TOTAL SPECIES ASSESSED = 77,340
(Total threatened species =22,784)
Extinct = 830
Extinct in the Wild = 69
Critically Endangered = 4,735
Endangered = 7,124
Vulnerable = 10,925
Near Threatened = 5,130
Lower Risk/conservation dependent = 238 (this is an old category that is gradually being phased out of The IUCN Red List)
Least Concern = 35,514
Data Deficient = 12,775
The figures presented above are only for those species that have been assessed for The IUCN Red List todate. Although
not all of the world’s species have been assessed, The IUCN Red List provides a usefulsnapshot of what is happening to
species today and highlights the urgent need for conservation action.Relative percentages for threatened species cannot
be provided for many taxonomic groups on The IUCNRed List because they have not been comprehensively assessed. For
many of these groups, assessmentefforts have focused on threatened species; therefore, the percentage of threatened
species for thesegroups would be heavily biased.
For those groups that have been comprehensively assessed, the percentage of threatened species can becalculated, but
the actual number of threatened species is often uncertain because it is not known whetherData Deficient (DD) species are
actually threatened or not. Therefore, the percentages presented aboveprovide the best estimate of extinction risk for those
groups that have been comprehensively assessed(excluding Extinct species), based on the assumption that Data Deficient
species are equally threatenedas data sufficient species. In other words, this is a mid-point figure within a range from x%
threatenedspecies (if all DD species are not threatened) to y% threatened species (if all DD species are threatened).
Available evidence indicates that this is a best estimate.
The IUCN Red List threat categories are as follows, in descending order of threat:
Extinct or Extinct in the Wild
Critically Endangered, Endangered and Vulnerable: species threatened with global extinction;
Near Threatened: species close to the threatened thresholds or that would be threatened without ongoingspecific
conservation measures;
Least Concern: species evaluated with a lower risk of extinction;
Data Deficient: no assessment because of insufficient data.
Critically Endangered (Possibly Extinct): this is not a new Red List category, but is a flag developed toidentify those
Critically Endangered species that are in all probability already Extinct but for whichconfirmation is required, for example,
through more extensive surveys being carried out and failing to findany individuals.
Highlights from the 2015.2 update
Below are a few examples of species that have been up-listed, down-listed or appear for the first time onThe IUCN Red
List.
Examples of other species that have been added in this update
Tropical Asian Slipper Orchids
Callus Paphiopedilum (Paphiopedilum callosum) – Endangered. Native to Viet Nam, Cambodia, Lao PRD, Malaysia and
Thailand, this species occurs as severely fragmented populations. Threats include ecological disturbance and
degradation of the habitats through logging of forest for wood (timber, fuel), deforestation, random cutting, soil erosion,
irregular fires, trampling and exploitation for horticultural purposes, and ruthless collection for regional and international
trade.
Giant-leaf Paphiopedilum (Paphiopedilum gigantifolium) – Critically Endangered. Endemic to Sulawesi (Indonesia), the
population of this very rare species has been significantly reduced in recent decades. It has numerous threats, especially
ruthless collection for regional and international trade, exploitation for horticultural purposes and hybridization,
deforestation, logging, fires and habitat destruction.
Medicinal Plants
Lilium polyphyllum – Critically Endangered. Found in India, Pakistan and Afghanistan, this species is harvested for its
roots and bulbs. During collection the whole plants is uprooted and disturbed. The species is one of the most important
medicinal plants of India. It has sizeable market demand on account of its commercial use as a drug and the level of
exploitation is high. The bulb is traded at local, regional and national markets. Due to the high volume of trade and
demand, the species is collected from the wild in an indiscriminate way. This has a severe impact on its natural
regeneration. Although it is distributed from Himalayan region of Afghanistan and Pakistan to the Indian Western
Himalaya, the majority of its geographical distribution (80%) is in India.
Ehrenberg's Marjoram (Origanum ehrenbergii) – Endangered. This herb is endemic to Lebanon. Dried and ground leaves
and flowers of this plant are locally added to or substituted for O. syriacum as a principal ingredient of Za'atar, a topping
for traditional breads (Mankousheh). Fresh shoots are used in salads (Fattouch) or as a fresh topping on baked breads
(Ftyreh). It is also used as a seasoning in traditional cuisine and in household remedies in Lebanon. In traditional
medicine this species is not differentiated from co-occurring species of Origanum, Thymbra, and Thymus, known
collectively as Za’atar in Lebanon. These species are traditionally used to stimulate memory, as analgesics and sedatives,
and as remedies for cold, flu and cough, respiratory problems, hypotension, and a wide range of stomach and intestinal
problems. These species are also used externally as emollients and antiseptic ointments. Trade in local markets has
been observed, but wider use and trade has not been documented.
Tea species
Of the 17 species from the tea plant family assessed, nine are threatened with extinction due to habitat destruction and
over-collection. Most of these species are used for tea, ornamental plants, medicinal use or firewood.
Camellia impressinervis - Critically Endangered due to over-collection and habitat destruction. Endemic to China there
are only around 45 individuals remaining in the wild. It is cultivated as an ornamental garden plant, but also collected from
the wild for the horticultural trade.
Camellia chrysanthoides – Endangered. Endemic to China less than 100 mature plants remain in the wild and it is
declining. Reportedly used as an ornamental garden plant, and also harvested for firewood and its yellow flowers. Its
habitat is being seriously destroyed by commercial plantations.
East African Plants
198 species from the family Acanthaceae have been added and of these 121 species are threatened with extinction, many
of which have enormous as yet untapped potential for the horticultural industry. Main threats are habitat loss through the
spread of agriculture, and deforestation.
Justica drummondii – Critically Endangered. This plant occurs in the coastal lowlands of southeast Kenya. It has only
been collected on three occasions (between 1963 and 1996). It is Threatened by habitat loss. At Mwailuganji it was first
found in an area of forest that has since been destroyed by elephants. El Niño floods are likely to have impacted on the
second site at Mwailuganji and the area between Umba and Mwena Rivers has been heavily cultivated.
Isoglossa variegata – Endangered. Restricted to two subpopulations in the East Usambara and Nguru Mountains of
Tanzania. It is highly threatened by agricultural expansion and much of the forest has been lost.
Caribbean Marine Fish
Broadstripe Goby (Elacatinus prochilos) – Vulnerable. This species has been used as an indicator of habitat quality. It is
likely impacted by loss of coral reef habitat; overall 59% decline in coral cover in the Caribbean between 1970-2011, and
specifically an average of approximately 20% within the range of this species. This area is impacted by commercial
shipping activity that enters directly through the marine protected area and runoff contamination from heavy metals, faeces,
fertilizers and pesticide pollutants. The Mexican government has recently been seeking to expand the Port of Veracruz onto
the reef area, which would involve direct removal of reef habitat. There have also been significant declines in Acroporid
corals with no sign of recovery and a high prevalence of disease on stony corals.
Examples of other species that have been uplisted (conservation status is worse)
Eastern Tree Hyrax (Dendrohyrax validus) – Uplisted from Least Concern to Near Threatened
This species is restricted to montane forests of Mt Kilimanjaro and Mt Meru, the Eastern Arc Mountains, and coastal forests
of Tanzania, southern Kenya and offshore islands. The main threats to this species are severe forest loss, degradation,
fragmentation (mainly due to logging and burning), and hunting. The only areas within its range where hunting does not
occur are the most protected and remote forests (Mt. Kilimanjaro in the Udzungwa Mountains National Park). Eastern Tree
Hyraxes are hunted for their meat and skins. Skins are used to make blankets or karosses, dating back to the 1970s when
commercial exploitation was quite severe.
Pseudochazrar amymone – a butterfly has been uplisted from Vulnerable to Endangered.
Endemic to the Mediterranean area of Europe (Greece and Albania) it is threatened by habitat loss in the Devoll Gorge
region (Albania), where construction of a series of hydroelectric power plants will inundate large parts of this butterfly’s
habitat within the next ten years. Initial work has already started on these constructions. Collection is an additional general
threat, although this is unlikely to be a single cause for this species becoming extinct in the near future because the species
occupies areas that are generally difficult for collectors to reach and adults are not easy to capture.
Magnolia lotungensis – Uplisted from Near Threatened (1998) to Endangered
This tree growing to up to 30 m tall is endemic to China. Its population has declined by over 50% in recent years mainly due
to logging and deforestation.
IUCN
International Union for Conservation of Nature and Natural Resources
国際自然保護連合日本委員会とは、
自然および自然資源の保全と持続可能な利用に関する世界最大のネットワーク。
1948 年に、国と市民団体・研究者が共同で設立し、現在、1,100 を越える国・政府機関と NGO、12,000
人を超す専門家、1,000 人を超す事務局からなる。IUCN レッドリストの策定、世界遺産条約の公式諮問
機関、国連総会常任オブザーバー等、世界の環境法制度に大きな影響力を行使。環境法・国際政策など
をはじめとした 15 の世界プログラムを展開している。
日本からは、外務省・環境省、日本自然保護協会や WWF ジャパンなどのリーダー的自然保護団体が加盟。
1980 年世界自然保護戦略の普及や愛知ターゲット達成を目指し、関係者間の連携を進めるため、IUCN 日
本委員会を組織。IUCN 日本委員会は事務局を(公財)日本自然保護協会が務めている。会長は吉田正人
(筑波大学大学院教授)。