The European Red List is a review of the conservation status of c. 6,000 European species (mammals, reptiles, amphibians, freshwater fishes, butterflies, dragonflies, and selected groups of beetles, molluscs, and vascular plants) according to IUCN regional Red Listing guidelines. It identifies those species that are threatened with extinction at the European level – so that appropriate conservation action can be taken to improve their status. The European Red List is compiled by IUCN's Species Programme, Species Survival Commission and Regional Office for Pan-Europe.

Common Fire Salamander
Salamandra salamandra
Photo © Roberto Sindaco

Comprehensive status assessments have already been completed for mammals, reptiles, amphibians, butterflies, dragonflies and saproxylic beetles. The assessment process is underway for other taxonomic groups, and it is anticipated that European Red Lists for molluscs, freshwater fish and vascular plants will be published in early 2011. The European Red List complements work done by BirdLife International to assess the status of all bird species at the European level.

To find detailed information on a particular species, click the “Search for a Species” button in the top left-hand corner of the page. This website includes background information on the assessment process and methods, along with an overview of the key findings of the European Red List. More detailed results and discussion can be found in the European Red List publications, which can be downloaded in electronic format (see links in menu bar on left) or purchased in hard copy from the European Commission or IUCN bookstores.