Panda Downlisted but not Out of the Woods

Abstract

The giant panda (Ailuropoda melanoleuca) is no longer Endangered on the International Union for the Conservation of Nature's (IUCN) storied Red List. The decision to downlist the panda to Vulnerable has its foundation in a systematic assessment of population parameters as determined by China State Forestry Administration's circa decadal national survey and other scientific outputs, compared to standardized criteria used by IUCN to determine the status of all species. This decision has not been without controversy and disagreement, perhaps reflecting disparities between how people view the term "Endangered" and the criteria established by the IUCN. Here, we explore the architecture of recovery of this iconic "Endangered" species, make transparent the process of the IUCN downlisting decision, evaluate emerging threats to pandas on the horizon, and contemplate the meaning of this milestone for endangered species conservation. Through this revelation, we find profound reasons for hope for species conservation everywhere, and a useful example of success in the making. However, this positive message comes with measured caution. The Chinese government and conservation community must maintain its focus and investment on panda conservation, and contend with strategies to address new threats. If they do not, the panda will return to "Endangered" status once again.

Walking in a heterogeneous landscape: Dispersal, gene flow and conservation implications for the giant panda in the Qinling Mountains

“…During this period, suitable habitat for giant pandas must have declined, with several boundaries hampering dispersal being formed. However, as local and national authorities paid more attention to environmental and wildlife protection, a logging ban in natural forests since 2000 and the construction of tunnels under several sections of traditional road have mitigated against additional disturbance to the Qinling habitat (Li et al., ; Swaisgood, Wang, & Wei, ) and obstructions to gene flow. The lack of evidence for genetic structure within the region could be due to the relatively short timescale involved in habitat patch separation, with giant pandas still being able to use some of the less disturbed regions as corridors to move between patches.…”

Population genetics reveals high connectivity of giant panda populations across human disturbance features in key nature reserve

“…The giant panda ( Ailuropoda melanoleuca ) (Figure ) is an example of a species that has faced historical population declines and been the focus of intensive conservation effort through the establishment of protected areas and habitat restoration (Tuanmu et al, ). Although there is evidence of recent population recovery which resulted in the reduction of their extinction risk on the IUCN red list (Swaisgood, Wang, & Wei, ), pandas still face ongoing increases in habitat fragmentation and subpopulation isolation (Xu et al, ; Yang et al, ). Currently, their occupancy has been reduced to the eastern edge of the Tibetan plateau in six separate mountain ranges (Schaller, Hu, Pan, & Zhu, ).…”

“…Although there is evidence of recent population recovery which resulted in the reduction of their extinction risk on the IUCN red list (Swaisgood, Wang, & Wei, 2017), pandas still face ongoing increases in habitat fragmentation and subpopulation isolation (Xu et al, 2017;Yang et al, 2017). Currently, their occupancy has been reduced to the eastern edge of the Tibetan plateau in six separate mountain ranges (Schaller, Hu, Pan, & Zhu, 1985).…”

Impact of livestock grazing on biodiversity and giant panda habitat

“…This active management has resulted in a 16.8% increase in the wild giant panda population to approximately 1,864 individuals, and an 11.8% increase in the area of giant panda habitat to 258,000 km 2 (Tang et al ). These encouraging results provided the basis for the International Union for the Conservation of Nature (IUCN) to down‐list the giant panda's extinction risk from endangered to vulnerable (Swaisgood et al ).…”

“…Although the giant panda is no longer an endangered species, factors such as human disturbance, habitat fragmentation, and global climate change are still threats to pandas’ long‐term survival (Viña et al , Li et al , Swaisgood et al , Xu et al , Wei et al ), Studies of human disturbance in panda habitat (Hull et al ; Li et al , Zhang et al ; Wang et al , b ) report that livestock grazing is the most prevalent human disturbance throughout giant panda habitat (Tang et al ). For example, in Wolong Nature Reserve, the number of horses has increased 10‐fold from 1996 to 2008 (Wolong Nature Reserve , ).…”