EDGE: Evolutionarily Distinct & Globally Endangered

Using EDGE to identify raptor conservation priorities

The sixth mass extinction is affecting wildlife populations worldwide and birds are no exception. With limited resources, staffing, and time, it’s important for conservationists and government agencies to carefully prioritize resource allocation to species and regions of concern. The EDGE metric helps researchers prioritize conservation efforts.

What is EDGE?

The EDGE method combines the Evolutionary Distinctiveness and Global Endangerment of a species to get a numerical value (an EDGE Score):

Conservationists can use EDGE Scores to compare species across countries, groupings, and more to further specify conservation priorities. You can read more about the EDGE methodology at the EDGE of Existence program’s website.

How is The Peregrine Fund using EDGE?

The Peregrine Fund uses the best scientific methods to produce evidence which leads to on-the-ground action. With more than half of all raptor species in decline, we have to determine where our immediate efforts should be directed. The EDGE metric provides us with a scientific approach to raptor conservation prioritization.

This method not only allows us to compare individual raptor species, but also helps us identify geographic regions where our actions could make the most impact. For example, our research indicates that African raptor species are rapidly declining and the EDGE metric further supports this. As such, we are now directing resources to prioritize African raptor conservation.