IUCN Red List Assessment
Red List Category
LC
Least Concern
Red List Criteria
Version
3.1
Year Assessed
2008
Assessor/s
Kovacs, K. & Lowry, L. (IUCN SSC Pinniped Specialist Group)
Reviewer/s
Kovacs, K., Lowry, L. (Pinniped Red List Authority) & Stuart, S.N. (Global Mammal Assessment Team)
Justification
Due to its large population, broad distribution, variable feeding habits and no evidence of a decline, the Bearded Seal should be classified as Least Concern. However, this species is likely going to be negatively impacted by climate change, and should be monitored over the coming decades.
IUCN Evaluation of the Bearded Seals, Erignathus barbatus
Prepared by Seal Specialist Group
A. Population reduction Declines measured over the longer of 10 years or 3 generations
A1 CR > 90%; EN > 70%; VU > 50%
Al. Population reduction observed, estimated, inferred, or suspected in the past where the causes of the reduction are clearly reversible AND understood AND have ceased, based on and specifying any of the following:
(a) direct observation
(b) an index of abundance appropriate to the taxon
(c) a decline in area of occupancy (AOO), extent of occurrence (EOO) and/or habitat quality
(d) actual or potential levels of exploitation
(e) effects of introduced taxa, hybridization, pathogens, pollutants, competitors or parasites.
Similar to most northern phocid seals sexual maturity is reached in bearded seals between 3-5 years of age and maximum longevity is approximately 35 year of age. Thus, the average age of reproducing individuals should be at least 10 years. A population reduction of Bearded Seals has not been observed, estimated, inferred, or suspected in the past 30 years. However, population abundance is poorly known and has not been monitored.
A2, A3 & A4 CR > 80%; EN > 50%; VU > 30%
A2. Population reduction observed, estimated, inferred, or suspected in the past where the causes of reduction may not have ceased OR may not be understood OR may not be reversible, based on (a) to (e) under Al.
A population reduction of Bearded Seals has not been observed, estimated, inferred, or suspected in the past 30 years.
A3. Population reduction projected or suspected to be met in the future (up to a maximum of 100 years) based on (b) to (e) under A1.
A population reduction of Bearded Seals is suspected in the future because of predicted reduction in sea ice habitats due to continued climate warming. The likely amount of population reduction has not been projected and is extremely difficult to predict. Because of the bearded seals broad distribution and current abundance (and perhaps also sufficient behavioral flexibility to use a variety of substrates) declines are unlikely to exceed 30% within the next 30 years. However, there is considerable uncertainty regarding this prediction and monitoring is strongly encouraged.
A4. An observed, estimated, inferred, projected or suspected population reduction (up to a maximum of 100 years) where the time period must include both the past and the future, and where the causes of reduction may not have ceased OR may not be understood OR may not be reversible, based on (a) to (e) under A1.
A population reduction of Bearded Seals has not been observed, estimated, inferred, or suspected in the past 30 years.
B. Geographic range in the form of either B1 (extent of occurrence) AND/OR B2 (area of occupancy)
B1. Extent of occurrence (EOO): CR
The EOO of Bearded Seals is > 20,000 km².
B2. Area of occupancy (AOO): CR
The AOO of Bearded Seals is > 2,000 km².
AND at least 2 of the following:
(a) Severely fragmented, OR number of locations: CR = 1; EN (b) Continuing decline in any of: (i) extent of occurrence; (ii) area of occupancy; (iii) area, extent and/or quality of habitat; (iv) number of locations or subpopulations; (v) number of mature individuals.
(c) Extreme fluctuations in any of: (i) extent of occurrence; (ii) area of occupancy; (iii) number of locations or subpopulations; (iv) number of mature individuals.
C. Small population size and decline
Number of mature individuals: CR
The current abundance of Bearded Seals is poorly known, but the number of mature individuals is certainly > 10,000.
AND either C1 or C2:
C1. An estimated continuing decline of at least: CR = 25% in 3 years or 1generation; EN = 20% in 5 years or 2 generations; VU = 10% in 10 years or 3 generations (up to a max. of 100 years in future)
C2. A continuing decline AND (a) and/or (b):
(a i) Number of mature individuals in each subpopulation: CR or
(a ii) % individuals in one subpopulation: CR = 90–100%; EN = 95–100%; VU = 100%
(b) Extreme fluctuations in the number of mature individuals.
D. Very small or restricted population
Number of mature individuals: CR AND/OR restricted area of occupancy typically: AOO
The current abundance of Bearded Seals is poorly known, but the number of mature individuals is certainly > 1,000. AOO is > 20 km² and the number of locations is > 5.
E. Quantitative Analysis
Indicating the probability of extinction in the wild to be: Indicating the probability of extinction in the wild to be: CR > 50% in 10 years or 3 generations (100 years max.); EN > 20% in 20 years or 5 generations (100 years max.); VU > 10% in 100 years
There has been no quantitative analysis of the probability of extinction for Bearded Seals.
Listing recommendation — Past, poorly documented, estimates of bearded seal abundance suggest a total population size of more than 500,000. Current abundance and population trend are unknown. Based on reports from coastal hunters, and limited catch reporting in the Canadian Arctic Bearded Seals are still thought to be numerous and no major changes in abundance have been reported. Bearded Seals should thus be listed as Least Concern. However, climate warming and reduction in sea ice coverage are occurring and because Bearded Seals depend on sea ice for reproduction they are likely to decline in the decades to come. Because of the potential risk to Bearded Seals associated with global warming and loss of sea this species should be reassessed within a decade.
IUCN Evaluation of the Bearded Seals, Erignathus barbatus
Prepared by Seal Specialist Group
A. Population reduction Declines measured over the longer of 10 years or 3 generations
A1 CR > 90%; EN > 70%; VU > 50%
Al. Population reduction observed, estimated, inferred, or suspected in the past where the causes of the reduction are clearly reversible AND understood AND have ceased, based on and specifying any of the following:
(a) direct observation
(b) an index of abundance appropriate to the taxon
(c) a decline in area of occupancy (AOO), extent of occurrence (EOO) and/or habitat quality
(d) actual or potential levels of exploitation
(e) effects of introduced taxa, hybridization, pathogens, pollutants, competitors or parasites.
Similar to most northern phocid seals sexual maturity is reached in bearded seals between 3-5 years of age and maximum longevity is approximately 35 year of age. Thus, the average age of reproducing individuals should be at least 10 years. A population reduction of Bearded Seals has not been observed, estimated, inferred, or suspected in the past 30 years. However, population abundance is poorly known and has not been monitored.
A2, A3 & A4 CR > 80%; EN > 50%; VU > 30%
A2. Population reduction observed, estimated, inferred, or suspected in the past where the causes of reduction may not have ceased OR may not be understood OR may not be reversible, based on (a) to (e) under Al.
A population reduction of Bearded Seals has not been observed, estimated, inferred, or suspected in the past 30 years.
A3. Population reduction projected or suspected to be met in the future (up to a maximum of 100 years) based on (b) to (e) under A1.
A population reduction of Bearded Seals is suspected in the future because of predicted reduction in sea ice habitats due to continued climate warming. The likely amount of population reduction has not been projected and is extremely difficult to predict. Because of the bearded seals broad distribution and current abundance (and perhaps also sufficient behavioral flexibility to use a variety of substrates) declines are unlikely to exceed 30% within the next 30 years. However, there is considerable uncertainty regarding this prediction and monitoring is strongly encouraged.
A4. An observed, estimated, inferred, projected or suspected population reduction (up to a maximum of 100 years) where the time period must include both the past and the future, and where the causes of reduction may not have ceased OR may not be understood OR may not be reversible, based on (a) to (e) under A1.
A population reduction of Bearded Seals has not been observed, estimated, inferred, or suspected in the past 30 years.
B. Geographic range in the form of either B1 (extent of occurrence) AND/OR B2 (area of occupancy)
B1. Extent of occurrence (EOO): CR
The EOO of Bearded Seals is > 20,000 km².
B2. Area of occupancy (AOO): CR
The AOO of Bearded Seals is > 2,000 km².
AND at least 2 of the following:
(a) Severely fragmented, OR number of locations: CR = 1; EN (b) Continuing decline in any of: (i) extent of occurrence; (ii) area of occupancy; (iii) area, extent and/or quality of habitat; (iv) number of locations or subpopulations; (v) number of mature individuals.
(c) Extreme fluctuations in any of: (i) extent of occurrence; (ii) area of occupancy; (iii) number of locations or subpopulations; (iv) number of mature individuals.
C. Small population size and decline
Number of mature individuals: CR
The current abundance of Bearded Seals is poorly known, but the number of mature individuals is certainly > 10,000.
AND either C1 or C2:
C1. An estimated continuing decline of at least: CR = 25% in 3 years or 1generation; EN = 20% in 5 years or 2 generations; VU = 10% in 10 years or 3 generations (up to a max. of 100 years in future)
C2. A continuing decline AND (a) and/or (b):
(a i) Number of mature individuals in each subpopulation: CR or
(a ii) % individuals in one subpopulation: CR = 90–100%; EN = 95–100%; VU = 100%
(b) Extreme fluctuations in the number of mature individuals.
D. Very small or restricted population
Number of mature individuals: CR AND/OR restricted area of occupancy typically: AOO
The current abundance of Bearded Seals is poorly known, but the number of mature individuals is certainly > 1,000. AOO is > 20 km² and the number of locations is > 5.
E. Quantitative Analysis
Indicating the probability of extinction in the wild to be: Indicating the probability of extinction in the wild to be: CR > 50% in 10 years or 3 generations (100 years max.); EN > 20% in 20 years or 5 generations (100 years max.); VU > 10% in 100 years
There has been no quantitative analysis of the probability of extinction for Bearded Seals.
Listing recommendation — Past, poorly documented, estimates of bearded seal abundance suggest a total population size of more than 500,000. Current abundance and population trend are unknown. Based on reports from coastal hunters, and limited catch reporting in the Canadian Arctic Bearded Seals are still thought to be numerous and no major changes in abundance have been reported. Bearded Seals should thus be listed as Least Concern. However, climate warming and reduction in sea ice coverage are occurring and because Bearded Seals depend on sea ice for reproduction they are likely to decline in the decades to come. Because of the potential risk to Bearded Seals associated with global warming and loss of sea this species should be reassessed within a decade.
History
- 1996Lower Risk/least concern
