Saving an Endangered Spider

 

 

 

Summary:

As a member of an environmental club, I conducted research on assessing the extinction risk of endemic species,  "Nesticella quelpartensis (Jeju-Cave-baby-spider)", which lived in lava caves in Jeju, South Korea. 

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The research involved field studies on the habitats of the species, and the extinction risk was assessed based on the standards of the IUCN Red List. My team’s research paper was selected in the research paper competition called "the 3rd Environmental Academic Forum of KSHE  Foundation," and I (as one of four presenters of the research paper) gave a presentation in the forum. The forum was for environmental research and discussion with professional experts and citizen scientists. My team earned the award of 2nd in the Biodiversity & Environmental Education section (3rd  place award in all) and the award money of $500. The award money was donated to a non-profit organization named "Future Forest," which aims to tackle the desertification of environments.​​

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Research Abstract:

Nesticella quelpartensis is a species endemic to Korea and distributed only in Jeju lava caves. We evaluated the extinction risk of this species, threatened by cave collapse and tourism, based on Criterion B of the IUCN Red List Assessment System. For this purpose, the extent of occurrence (EOO), continuous decline, and number of locations were measured. The species was evaluated as Nearly Threatened (NT), indicating it could be seriously endangered if no action is taken. However, preventative efforts in the near future, such as proper policies that improve its habitat environment, may prevent the species’ extinction.

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