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Cactus and Succulent Plant Specialist Group
The goals of the Cactus and Succulent Plant Specialist Group
(CSSG) are; to support field studies in order to understand the
biology and conservation status of succulent plants; to
encourage the creation of protected area networks in order to
maximize in-situ protection for succulent plant species; to
support ex-situ protection of Critically Endangered species; to
support national legislation and effective trade controls for all
wild succulent plant species threatened by exploitation for
international commerce, and to promote education on the
value of succulent plants and the need for their conservation
and sustainable use.
Over the past few years, one of our main priorities has
been our involvement in the Global Cactus Assessment, a
major project with the aim of evaluating all 1,500 species
belonging to the cactus family under The IUCN Red List
Criteria. The project has now been completed, with the
successful participation of many members of our Specialist
Group. Several regional workshops were organized in different
countries throughout the distribution range of the family.
Members of the CSSG, along with a large contingent of
regional experts, including professional botanists, ecologists,
conservation biologists and plant amateurs, assessed the
totality of species in the family. The project counted on the
generous support of several governmental and academic
institutions; including CONABIO, CONANP, Conservation
International, Chester Zoo and the Desert Botanical Garden,
INE, Jardin Exotique de Monaco, UNAM, and the University of
Sheffield. The results, soon to be published on The IUCN Red
E. platyacanthus – Zacatecas, Mexico. © HMHM
List, confirm the highly threatened conservation status of the
Cactaceae.
Dr Héctor M. Hernández
Chair, Cactus and Succulent Plant Specialist Group
Canid Specialist Group (CSG)
The CSG is the world’s chief body of scientific and practical
expertise on the status and conservation of all canid species.
Our mission is to promote the long-term conservation of all
wild Canidae species throughout their ranges. Many wild
canids antagonise with human interests, often resulting in
persecution. Our challenge is to increase tolerance and
mitigate conflict to enable rare and threatened species to
survive. The group currently consists of 85 members from 39
countries, and with expertise in many more. All CSG members
are actively involved in canid conservation and research, and
serve as honorary advisers, bringing with them the experience
and the knowledge gained in their professional careers. The
CSG is housed by WildCRU at Tubney House, University of
Oxford. The Chairs’ position at WildCRU is funded by The
Born Free Foundation. The Forestry Bureau of the Council of
Agriculture, Republic of China (Taiwan), has kindly provided
two small grants to support CSG activities.
The main activities of the CSG include the compilation,
synthesis and dissemination of canid related information
through strategic planning and resulting Action Plans. The
most prolific (and satisfying) role of our Specialist Group has
been networking people with similar interests in canid
conservation and disseminating relevant data and information.
The most frustrating has been our inability to raise financial
resources to support important projects. Our main
dissemination channels include Canid Biology and
Conservation, an electronic, peer-reviewed journal, and
Canids-L, a mailing list exclusively devoted to Canid biology
and conservation with 800+ current members. We maintain a
database of current canid research and conservation projects,
which will be accessible through our new website shortly.
The CSG continues to oversee the implementation of a
conservation strategy for Ethiopian wolves prepared in 2011,
one of the first such strategies following the planning
guidelines developed by a dedicated SSC Task Force. The
Ethiopian Wolf Conservation Programme – established by the
CSG in partnership with the Ethiopian government, the
University of Oxford and donors, to protect the rarest of all wild
Ethiopian Wolf (Canis simensis). © Brent Huffman / UltimateUngulate
Specialist Groups, Task Forces and Red List Authorities
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