Local Extinction - IUCN Subpopulation and Stock Assessments

IUCN Subpopulation and Stock Assessments

While the World Conservation Union (IUCN) mostly only categorizes whole species or subspecies, assessing the global risk of extinction, in some cases it also assesses the risks to stocks and populations, especially to preserve genetic diversity. In all, 119 stocks or subpopulations across 69 species have been assessed by the IUCN in 2006.

Examples of stocks and populations assessed by the IUCN for the threat of local extinction:

• Marsh Deer (three subpopulations assessed)
• Blue Whale, North Pacific stock and North Atlantic stock
• Bowhead Whale, Balaena mysticetus (five subpopulations assessed), from Critically Endangered to LR/cd
• Lake Sturgeon, Acipenser fulvescens, Mississippi & Missouri Basins subpopulation assessed as Vulnerable
• Wild Common carp, Cyprinus carpio (River Danube subpopulation)
• Black-footed Rock Wallaby Petrogale lateralis (MacDonnell Ranges subpopulation and Western Kimberly subpopulation)

The IUCN also lists countries where assessed species, subspecies or subpopulations are found, and from which countries they have been extirpated or reintroduced.

The IUCN has only three entries for subpopulations which have become extinct the Aral Sea stock of Ship sturgeon (Acipenser nudiventris); the Adriatic Sea stock of Beluga (Huso huso); and the Mexican subpopulation of Wolf (Canis lupus) which is extinct in the wild. No plant or fungi subpopulations have been assessed by the IUCN.