Nuova lista rossa degli uccelli nidificanti in Italia

Abstract

The Red Lists were first compiled approximately thirty years ago, to direct conservation planning towards threatened species. The 1981 Italian Red List (FRUGIS & SCHENK 1981), and its updated version (BRICHETTI & CAMBI 1982) led to the production of the regional red lists. This was necessary due to increased knowledge of the status of Italian bird populations gained over the last 15 years. The current list has been compiled according to the guidelines and criteria suggested by the IUCN (1994), including only breeding species and subspecies, and isolated populations of non-migratory species. The classifications proposed by the IUCN and adopted in this paper are: • Extinct (EX), • Critically Endangered (CR), • Endangered (EN), • Vulnerable (VU), • Lower Risk (LR), • Data Deficient (DD). For species breeding irregularly or for those species breeding after 1988, a Non Evaluated (NE) category has been used. Quantitative data are from BRICHETTI & GARIBOLDI (1997), from papers in print, or from unpublished data. Tables include the following information: • IUCN Criteria, • Threat categories in IUCN 1996, • Percentage of the Italian population in the European population, • Conventions (Berne and Bonn) and Bird Directive, • SPEC, • Population size, • Population trend, • Distribution and status in Italy, • Threats, • Conservation actions, • References. Of the 250 species breeding in Italy (BRICHETTI & MASSA, 1997), 121 (48,4%) have been included in the Red List. Of the 157 species representing the whole Red List, 10 are Extinct, 16 Critically Endangered, 28 Endangered, 36 Vulnerable, 41 at Lower Risk, and 26 Non Evalueted. Since the first Red List was first compiled, no extinctions have taken place, and the extinction risk of many species has decreased. Current populations of Egyptian Vulture and Bonelli's Eagle are smaller than those estimated in the previous Red List. Ten species considered at high risk of extinction in 1981 are now classified in a lower risk category.