Ecosystem Evolution Scenarios in the Ferlo Biosphere Reserve Based on the Iucn Red List of Ecosystems Criteria

Abstract

Diara Sylla*, Aissatou Sene and Aliou Guissé

This study assesses the applicability of the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Red List of Ecosystems criteria in a typically Sahelian environment, namely the Ferlo Biosphere Reserve in Senegal.

The methodology is based on the evaluation of different ecosystem types using five assessment criteria: two criteria related to spatial distribution (qualitative factors), two criteria addressing ecosystem functioning through biotic and abiotic interactions (quantitative factors), and a final criterion based on quantitative risk analysis. Ecosystems are subsequently classified into one of eight threat categories—Collapsed, Critically Endangered, Endangered, Vulnerable, Near Threatened, Least Concern, Data Deficient, and Not Evaluated—according to the thresholds defined by the IUCN framework.

The analysis relies on land-use and land-cover maps of the Ferlo Biosphere Reserve for the years 1965 and 2017, as well as statistical data derived from these datasets and their spatial overlay.

The results indicate that vegetation formations exhibiting regressive trends are the most threatened. Gallery forests within the biosphere reserve are classified as Endangered, while wooded savanna falls into the Collapsed category. Shrub to tree savanna is also classified as Endangered. Conversely, ecosystems that have experienced progressive dynamics—corresponding to the least stable stages of spontaneous vegetation succession—are classified as Least Concern.

The application of the IUCN Red List of Ecosystems methodology in the Ferlo Biosphere Reserve demonstrates that this framework is fully applicable to Sahelian environments, as most of the assessment criteria can be reliably documented.

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