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  • From: "Lon J. Rombough" <lonrom@hevanet.com>
  • To: NAFEX <nafex@lists.ibiblio.org>
  • Subject: [NAFEX] Fwd: pollinators
  • Date: Mon, 13 Jun 2005 21:41:23 -0700


Pollinator Insects of Conservation Concern
The Xerces Society for Invertebrate Conservation Releases a Red List of North America's Most Vulnerable Pollinators
 
For more information contact:
Scott Hoffman Black, Executive Director of the Xerces Society; 503-534-2706; sblack@xerces.org
 
Pollinators are keystone species in terrestrial ecosystems. They provide the critical ecological function that guarantees rich and diverse plant communities, which, in turn, provide food and other commodities for us, and form habitat for wildlife. And yet, we know remarkably little about many of the most vulnerable species. For many birds and mammals, the basic information that allows people to identify key species in need of conservation action already exists and is accessible. For many pollinator insects, however, information is hidden in scientists' files or is lacking altogether. The first step to effectively protect at-risk pollinators is to identify those species in need of conservation and pull together information on life history, status, and conservation and research needs.
 
To that end, the Xerces Society, in cooperation with scientists across the United States and Canada, has produced the Red List of Pollinator Insects of North America.
 
The Xerces Society's Red List includes 115 species and subspecies: 57 butterflies, 2 moths, and 56 bees from across the U.S., Canada, and Mexico. For each species there is a brief status review that distills the current state of knowledge of life history, distribution, threats, conservation needs, and research needs into a single document. The status reviews also include discussions of taxonomy and identification and lists of contacts, publications, and websites.
 
"For many of these species more research is needed into population distribution, life history, and habitat needs so we can determine the course of conservation action," said Scott Hoffman Black, Executive Director of the Xerces Society. "We hope that this document enables scientists, conservationists, federal and state wildlife managers, zoos, and others to prioritize these species for further research and conservation."
 
Many of the pollinators included in the Xerces Red List suffer from destruction of their habitat for intensive agriculture and urbanization. Pesticides have negatively impacted pollinator populations, and pose a continuing threat. In addition, introduced diseases and parasites are a leading factor in the decline of several species.
 
The Xerces Society's Pollinator Red List represents the most complete assessment of the state of the continent's at-risk pollinators and is the most comprehensive source of information on these insects.
 
The Red List of Pollinator Insects of North America is published as a CD-ROM and is also accessible on-line at the Xerces Society's website, www.xerces.org. To order a copy on CD-ROM, send $10 to the Xerces Society at 4828 SE Hawthorne Blvd. Portland, OR 97215, and ask for the Red List of Pollinator Insects of North America.
 
The Red List was produced with funding from the CS Fund.


______________________________________________________
The Xerces Society for Invertebrate Conservation
Protecting wildlife through science-based advocacy, education,
and conservation projects since 1971. To join the Society, make a
contribution, or read about our work, please visit www.xerces.org.
 
Matthew Shepherd
Director, Pollinator Conservation Program
4828 SE Hawthorne Boulevard, Portland, OR 97215, USA
Tel: 503-232 6639 Fax: 503-233 6794
Email: mdshepherd@xerces.org     
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  • [NAFEX] Fwd: pollinators, Lon J. Rombough, 06/14/2005

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