Conservation Status of Heron Populations

HeronConservation assesses the conservation status of herons on a population basis. It differs from the IUCN assessment, which is on the species level. As a result of this scale difference, the results for populations of some species may not be identical to the results at a species level. To the extent possible, HeronConservation uses the criteria of the IUCN Red List as its guide, down scaled to the population level. You can find the species scale criteria at the IUCN Website. Assessments are only a good as the data underlying them, and for some populations that information base is slim to nonexistent. As a result many assessments are approximations based on the best professional judgment of those who know the populations best. You are welcome to contribute to increasing the accuracy of these assessments by providing data and analyses, preferably with reference to the IUCN evaluative criteria. Please communicate with a HeronConservation Co-chair or Steering Committee Member. HeronConservation will use such contributions in the next assessment process.

The 2012 Conservation Status of Heron Populations is given below. The categories in the Conservation Status of Heron Populations are the same as the IUCN list. Like all species, herons may be classified the following categories, LC = Least Concern, NT = Near Threatened, VU = Vulnerable, EN = Endangered, CR = Critically Endangered, EW = Extinct in the Wild, and EX = Extinct. More information on the meaning of these categories may be found on the IUCN Red List Categories & Criteria document.