The SAFE index: using a threshold population target to measure relative species threat
Clements, Gopalasamy Reuben, Bradshaw, Corey J.A., Brook, Barry W., and Laurance, William F. (2011) The SAFE index: using a threshold population target to measure relative species threat. Frontiers in Ecology and the Environment, 9 (9). pp. 521-525.
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Abstract
The International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Red List is arguably the most popular measure of relative species threat, but its threat categories can be ambiguous (eg "Endangered" versus "Vulnerable") and subjective, have weak quantification, and do not convey the threat status of species in relation to a minimum viable population target. We propose a heuristic measure that describes a "species' ability to forestall extinction", or the SAFE index. We compared the abilities of the SAFE index with those of another numerically explicit metric – percentage range loss – to predict IUCN threat categories using binary and ordinal logistic regression. Generalized linear models showed that the SAFE index was a better predictor of IUCN threat categories than was percentage range loss. We therefore advocate use of the SAFE index, possibly in conjunction with IUCN threat categories, because the former indicates the "distance from extinction" of a species, while implicitly incorporating population viability as a variable.
Item ID: | 18797 |
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Item Type: | Article (Research - C1) |
ISSN: | 1540-9309 |
Date Deposited: | 01 Dec 2011 05:14 |
FoR Codes: | 05 ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES > 0502 Environmental Science and Management > 050202 Conservation and Biodiversity @ 100% |
SEO Codes: | 96 ENVIRONMENT > 9609 Land and Water Management > 960906 Forest and Woodlands Land Management @ 100% |
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