Context:

Invasive species and illegal trade push reptiles and cacti closer to extinction, according to the latest IUCN Red List update.

Key Highlights 

• The International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) has issued a stark warning about the threats posed by invasive species and illegal trade to several reptile and cactus species.
• An update to the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species highlights the plight of island reptiles facing competition and predation from introduced snakes.

Reptiles Threatened by Invasive Species 

• The Ibiza wall lizard is now endangered from near threatened due to a 50% population decline since 2010, caused by the invasive horseshoe whip snake. 
• Similarly, the Gran Canaria giant lizard and Gran Canaria skink face extinction threats from the introduced California kingsnake, with both species experiencing over 50% population declines since 2014, resulting in their status being updated to endangered from least concern.

llegal Trade and Threats to Cacti

• The IUCN highlights the illegal trade of ornamental cacti, noting that 82% of Copiapoa cacti (endemic to Chile’s Atacama Desert) are now critically endangered, up from 55% in 2013. 
• High demand for cacti and succulents around the world, and their popularity in Europe and Asia drives illegal trade. These slow-growing plants are further endangered by infrastructure development and climate change. 

Impact of Climate Change

• Climate change threatens Copiapoa cacti as shifting oceanic fog affects hydration, hindering reproduction for long-lived species. 
• It notes that poached Copiapoa cacti have a grey tone and a dusty-looking bloom, while cultivated plants appear greener.

Recommended Actions

• The IUCN urges international collaboration to prevent poached plant trafficking and promote greenhouse cultivation of Copiapoa as a sustainable market alternative.
• It underscores the urgent need for action, noting the sharp increase in Copiapoa cacti facing extinction, prompting immediate conservation measures outlined in the Red List update.

About the IUCN Red List

• Established in 1964, the IUCN Red List is a critical indicator of the health of the world’s biodiversity. 
• It is a vital global tool for assessing extinction risk across animals, fungi, and plants. 
• It provides accessible insights into species' traits, threats, and conservation efforts, guiding conservation decisions and policies worldwide.
• The Red List divides species into 9 categories: NE (Not Evaluated), Data Deficient, Least Concern, Near Threatened, Vulnerable, Endangered, Critically Endangered, Extinct in the Wild and Extinct. 

About the IUCN 

• Created in 1948, IUCN is the global authority on the status of the natural world and the measures needed to safeguard it. 
• It is a membership union of government and civil society organizations collaborating to promote sustainable development and conservation of nature.