Alliance for Zero Extinction (AZE)

Alliance For Zero Extinction (AZEs)

Formed in 2000 and launched globally in 2005, the Alliance for Zero Extinction (AZE) comprises 100 non-governmental biodiversity conservation organizations working to prevent species extinctions by identifying and safeguarding sites where species evaluated to be Endangered or Critically Endangered under International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) criteria only exist at one location on earth. 

AZE members work to rebuild populations of endangered and critically endangered species through efforts to eliminate human threats such as commercial exploitation, disease and the introduction of invasive species. AZE provides expertise on biodiversity goals for the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) and assists party nations in integrating protection of AZE sites and species into National Biodiversity Strategies and Action Plans (NBSAP).

Country-based initiatives, or national Alliances for Zero Extinction, have begun to take shape recently representing partnerships of government agencies and non-government organizations to accelerate the protection of AZE sites in compliance with national commitments under the Convention on Biological Diversity

AZE is first focusing on species that face extinction either because their last remaining habitat is being degraded at a local level, or because their tiny global ranges make them especially vulnerable to external threats. 

CRITERIA

AZE uses the following criteria to identify priority sites (a site must meet all three to qualify):

1. Endangerment. An AZE site must contain at least one Endangered (EN) or Critically Endangered (CR) species, as listed on the IUCN Red List. 
2. Irreplaceability. An AZE site should only be designated if it is the sole area where an EN or CR species occurs, contains the overwhelmingly significant known resident population (>95%) of the EN or CR species, or contains the overwhelmingly significant known population (>95%) for one life history segment (e.g. breeding or wintering) of the EN or CR species. 
3. Discreteness. The area must have a definable boundary within which the character of habitats, biological communities, and/or management issues have more in common with each other than they do with those in adjacent areas.

Candidate List

AZE will develop a "Candidate List" for any areas that are narrowly disqualified or unclear for inclusion. 

Management

There is no management prescribed for AZE sites. Globally, about 23% of AZE sites are covered by protected areas. The management of such sites varies according to the type of protected area they are part of. Due to their small size, these sites are highly susceptible to human activities in the surrounding landscape. The mean human footprint, an aggregate index of human land use, human population and infrastructure at AZE sites is two and a half times the global mean, indicating a high level of threat.

Legal and compliance 

Identification of an area as an AZE site does not automatically lead to legal protection or recognition by national government. 

A Memorandum of Cooperation was signed between the Secretariat of the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) and the Alliance on May 19th, 2010. Under this Memorandum, nations should account for their progress protecting AZE sites and species in their National Biodiversity Strategies and Action Plans. 

Biodiversity importance 

81% of AZE sites occur within biodiversity hotspots, which further indicates their biodiversity significance. 

Social and cultural values 

The AZE sites are not identified based on recognition of any traditional practices, cultural values, rights or involvement of local/indigenous communities in protection, use and management. 

Indian Alliance for Zero Extinction

There are currently 17 recognised AZE species in India (in 2010) (Just remember for prelims that India has AZE species)

Additional info related to Prelims:

• AZE Taxa - mammals, birds, reptiles, amphibians, conifers, and corals
• AZE is not led by any one group. It is a true alliance and all members can contribute to the level they desire and are able.
• AZEs are included under the 'umbrella' classification of Key Biodiversity Areas (KBAs).
• AZE sites form subsets of IBAs and KBAs (Key Biodiversity Areas). 

• Identification of AZEs is an ongoing process, as part of the overall process of identification and subsequent conservation actions in KBAs.
• A site cannot be designated on the basis of unlisted or unevaluated species, Data Deficient species, or Vulnerable species.
• AZE sites are identified at the site-scale 

Reference:

http://www.biodiversitya-z.org/content/alliance-for-zero-extinction-sites-aze

http://zooreach.org/Indianaze/Indianaze.html

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