SSC EDGE Grant
On the EDGE Conservation is supporting the IUCN Species Survival Commission (IUCN SSC), in awarding grants to SSC Groups undertaking red listing and action planning activities for evolutionarily distinct species and lineages.
The aim of the SSC EDGE grants is to contribute to halting the loss of evolutionarily distinct lineages, supporting the IUCN WCC resolution (WCC-2012-Res-019-EN) through improving assessment and planning for overlooked and evolutionarily distinct species. In addition, these grants will also promote the involvement of range-country conservationists and scientists.
The recipients of the first round of grants were announced in November 2020, awarded to six projects to support IUCN SSC Species Conservation Cycle priorities, to be completed by July 2021.
You can find more details about this call for proposals on the IUCN SSC website
Project Descriptions
1. IUCN SSC Palm Specialist Group
Assessment of the palm Parajubaea torallyi, endemic to Bolivia.
The Andean palm genus Parajubaea (Arecaceae) has three threatened species and is estimated to have diverged from its sister genus Allagoptera around 22 million years ago. One of the three species, the Andean palm P. toraylli is endemic to Bolivia, and is one of the few species of palm on Earth to grow at altitudes up to 3,400 m above sea level. It is used for its fruits and the extraction of fibre from its leaves, along with other uses, by local inhabitants.
The species lacks an IUCN Red List assessment of its conservation status, which is essential for its conservation and sustainable use. One large population is located within a Bolivian protected area. However, more than 50% of its distribution range is not under protection, management, or administrative consideration. A formal assessment is urgently needed to provide a foundation for its conservation and implementation of sustainable extraction practices in face of rapid land use change and deforestation in the Andes.
2. IUCN SSC Cetacean Specialist Group
Regional engagement in conservation planning for the Atlantic humpback dolphin (Sousa teuszii).
Atlantic Humpback Dolphins (Sousa teuszii) was assessed as Critically Endangered in 2017. Fewer than 3,000 individuals remain in a restricted nearshore habitat that extends across 7,000 km of Africa’s Atlantic coastline. The main causes of their decline are fisheries bycatch and habitat degradation, related to human population growth and coastal development. A conservation plan is required to engage government and industry stakeholders, who are ultimately responsible for the policies and actions that can harm or protect this species and the habitats in which it occurs.
The IUCN SSC Cetacean Specialist Group project will include the development of a suite of communication tools to use in a series of online engagement sessions in range states known to host Sousa teuszii. Targeted stakeholders will be supported in undertaking conservation planning and action for the species at the national level, and have the information and tools needed to design and enact policy that will reduce identified threats to the species.
3. IUCN SSC Australasian Marsupial and Monotreme Specialist Group
Conservation Strategy and Action Plan for the Critically Endangered Talaud Bear Cuscus (Ailurops melanotis).
The Talaud Bear Cuscus (Ailurops melanotis) is listed as Critically Endangered on the IUCN Red List and protected under Indonesian law. Its geographic distribution is confined to two small islands in Indonesia, Talaud-Sangihe islands; the Large Sangihe island and the Salibabu island, with extremely rare records. This cuscus has been hunted heavily for local consumption, and this threat is exacerbated by the conversion of primary forest, its main habitat, for agriculture.
The Talaud Bear Cuscus is a protected species, but no government action plan exists. Forests on Salibabu island are not protected, and this island is the species’ last stronghold. The IUCN SSC Australasian Marsupial and Monotreme Specialist Group project will support the government in the development of a strategic conservation action plan that is urgently needed to save the species from extinction.
4. IUCN SSC Cuban Plant Specialist Group
Assessment and recovery plans for Endemic genera of Cuban plants.
Cuba has over 7,000 species of vascular plants and 53% of them are endemic to the island. By 2016, the National Red List included two-thirds of Cuban plants. Since then, the IUCN SSC Cuban Plant Specialist Group (CPSG) has been working on completing the evaluation of the remaining taxa, and updating the evaluation of those taxa that need it. This project will set the baseline for the conservation of endemic genera of Cuban plants by assessing or re-assessing at least 50% of these taxa, and designing recovery plans for at least 10.
5. IUCN SSC Indonesian Plant Red List Authority
Conservation of Gnetum loerzingii, a tree endemic to Sumatra.
Gnetum loerzingii (Gnetaceae) is a gymnosperm species endemic to North and West Sumatra, Indonesia. The tree was last collected in 1956 from four localities, and there is no evidence of a recent collection or sighting. It is an Evolutionarily Distinct and Globally Endangered (EDGE) species ranked #35 on the EDGE Gymnosperm list. Therefore, the tree represents disproportionate amounts of unique evolutionary history and requires urgent actions to secure its future.
The IUCN SSC Indonesian Plant Red List Authority project will enhance the conservation of G. loerzingii by providing the most current population status of the species. Seedlings will be collected during the population survey for cultivation at the Bogor Botanic Gardens for their living conservation collection. The project will also update the conservation status, develop conservation action plans for the species, and inform in situ management authorities regarding current condition of G. loerzingii in their managed forests.
6. IUCN SSC Tortoise and Freshwater Turtle Specialist Group
Developing an action plan for the world’s rarest turtle, Rafetus swinhoei.
Swinhoe's Softshell Turtle (Rafetus swinhoei) is one of the larger species within the Trionychidae family, growing to 150 kg or more in size. It is the world’s rarest turtle, with only three animals known in existence globally; one in P.R. China and two in Vietnam. In Vietnam, two wild individuals survive in two lakes on the outskirts of Hanoi which were discovered in 2007 and 2018, respectively. The species suffered extensive hunting throughout its range, often targeted by professional hunters, with animals commonly consumed locally as food.
Current efforts are concentrated on bringing known animals in the wild together to facilitate breeding, either in a semi-wild or captive setting, and the identification of additional animals in the wild. The IUCN SSC Tortoise and Freshwater Turtle Specialist Group will coordinate among its members and governments in each country to develop a comprehensive Species Recovery Action Plan for Rafetus swinhoei, inclusive of the species throughout its range.
If you are interested in knowing more about any of these projects please contact the SSC Chair’s Office who can connect you directly with their focal points.
