Red Data Book

The term “Red Data Book” entered scientific use in 1966. The word “red” in this context symbolizes danger. The Red Data Books record endangered and rare species of plants and animals on Earth and emphasize the need for their conservation and protection. Each Red Data Book is considered one of the most important official state documents depending on the level of its publication. The idea of publishing such a book was first proposed by the English scientist Peter Scott.

The International Red Data Book is a document of the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN). It records endangered and rare species of plants and animals, including those that have not yet been fully studied scientifically, whose populations are rapidly declining from year to year and therefore require protection.

The issue of animal protection began to be raised at the beginning of the 20th century. In 1902, the International Convention for the Protection of Birds was first signed in Paris. Today, several versions of Red Data Books exist: the Red Data Book of the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN), the national (republican) Red Data Book of each country, and regional (provincial) Red Data Books.

The Red Data Book of Kazakhstan is a special state document designed to record rare and endangered species of plants and animals found within the country. Species listed in the Red Data Book are divided into several categories according to their conservation status in nature.

The first Red Data Book in Kazakhstan began to be published in accordance with a special resolution of the Council of Ministers of the Kazakh SSR dated January 16, 1978 (No. 20). The first edition was devoted to vertebrate animals and included 87 species (4 species of fish, 1 species of amphibians, 8 species of reptiles, 43 species of birds, and 31 species of mammals).

The Red Data Book of Kazakhstan devoted to plants was published in 1981 and included two categories of species:

endangered species;

rare species.

In addition, the 1981 Red Data Book recorded 307 plant species growing in the territory of Kazakhstan. Among them were 288 species of flowering plants, 2 species of ferns, 3 species of horsetails, 10 species of fungi, and 1 species of lichens. Of these, 20 species were endangered, while 287 species were classified as rare.

According to general rules, the national Red Data Book should be revised and supplemented every ten years. However, the second edition of the Red Data Book of Kazakhstan dedicated to plants has not yet been published.

In 1948, the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) adopted a special decision to establish the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN). Species of plants and animals listed in the International Red Data Book are divided into five categories according to the international classification:

1. Endangered species – special conservation measures must be organized to preserve them (nature reserves, national parks, protected areas, etc.).

2. Species with rapidly declining populations – their numbers are still relatively high, but further sharp decline must be prevented.

3. Rare species – their population decrease must be carefully monitored.

4. Insufficiently studied species – these species require thorough scientific research.

5. Recovered species.

The preparation of the Red Data Book for invertebrate animals of Kazakhstan was an important scientific achievement. The number of invertebrate species in the country and their biological and ecological characteristics have not yet been fully studied. Therefore, a detailed analysis and revision of the species included in the first and second editions of the Red Data Book of Kazakhstan devoted to invertebrates was required.

In 2006, the third edition of the Red Data Book of Kazakhstan dedicated to invertebrates was published. This edition included 96 species of invertebrates, including 2 species of annelid worms, 6 species of mollusks, 1 species of scorpions, 2 species of spiders, and 85 species of insects.

The fourth revised and expanded edition of the Red Data Book of Kazakhstan dedicated to vertebrate animals was published in 2010. It includes 128 species of vertebrates: 1 species of cyclostomes, 17 species of bony fish, 3 species of amphibians, 10 species of reptiles, 57 species of birds, and 40 species of mammals. Of these 128 species, 20 are also listed in the IUCN Red Data Book.

Kazakhstan bears great responsibility before the entire world community for the conservation of these species. The Red Data Book cannot leave indifferent any person who feels a civic and environmental responsibility for the protection of nature.

Animals listed in the Red Data Book of the Republic of Kazakhstan:

Plants listed in the Red Data Book of the Republic of Kazakhstan: