The ''EDGE of Existence programme'' is a research and conservation initiative that focuses on species deemed to be the world’s most "

Evolutionarily Distinct and Globally Endangered Evolutionarily Distinct and Globally Endangered (EDGE) species are animal species which have a high 'EDGE score', a metric combining endangered conservation status with the genetic distinctiveness of the particular taxon. Distinctive species have ...

" (EDGE). Developed by the

Zoological Society of London The Zoological Society of London (ZSL) is a charity devoted to the worldwide conservation of animals and their habitats. It was founded in 1826. Since 1828, it has maintained the London Zoo, and since 1931 Whipsnade Park. History On 29 ...

(ZSL), the programme aims to raise awareness of these species, implement targeted research and conservation actions to halt their decline, and to train in-country conservationists (called EDGE Fellows) to protect them.

Conserving EDGE species

The EDGE of Existence programme is centred on an interactive website that features information on the top 100 EDGE

mammals Mammals () are a group of vertebrate animals constituting the class Mammalia (), characterized by the presence of mammary glands which in females produce milk for feeding (nursing) their young, a neocortex (a region of the brain), fur or ...

reptiles Reptiles, as most commonly defined are the animals in the Class (biology), class Reptilia ( ), a paraphyletic grouping comprising all sauropsid, sauropsids except birds. Living reptiles comprise turtles, crocodilians, Squamata, squamates (lizar ...

birds Birds are a group of warm-blooded vertebrates constituting the class Aves (), characterised by feathers, toothless beaked jaws, the laying of hard-shelled eggs, a high metabolic rate, a four-chambered heart, and a strong yet lightweigh ...

amphibians Amphibians are four-limbed and ectothermic vertebrates of the class Amphibia. All living amphibians belong to the group Lissamphibia. They inhabit a wide variety of habitats, with most species living within terrestrial, fossorial, arbore ...

and top 25 EDGE corals, detailing their specific

conservation Conservation is the preservation or efficient use of resources, or the conservation of various quantities under physical laws. Conservation may also refer to: Environment and natural resources * Nature conservation, the protection and managem ...

requirements. Each of the top 100 species is given an 'EDGE-ometer' rating according to the degree of conservation attention they are currently receiving, as well as its perceived rarity in its natural environment. 70% of the mammals which have been chosen are receiving little or no conservation attention according to the inventors.

EDGE Fellows

EDGE research and conservation is carried out by ZSL researchers, a network of partner organizations and local scientists. An important part of the EDGE programme is a fellowship scheme which provides funding and support to local scientists. EDGE Fellows participate in all phases of a research project. Each project is focused on delivering a conservation action plan. Once the action plan is completed, a meeting is held to make additions and corrections to the document.

References

External links

EDGE of Existence websiteZSL−Zoological Society of London website
{{ZSL . Endangered species Environmental research Zoological Society of London