NM-RARe: A Framework for Regional Arthropod Conservation Assessment: Insights From New Mexico
To address the critical lack of conservation data for New Mexico's diverse arthropods, the authors developed the NM-RARe framework, a standardized and scalable methodology that compiled a regional database of thousands of taxa, assessed hundreds for conservation status, and successfully integrated nearly 100 pollinating insect species into the state's 2025 Wildlife Action Plan.
Original paper licensed under CC BY 4.0 (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/). This is an AI-generated explanation of a preprint that has not been peer-reviewed. It is not medical advice. Do not make health decisions based on this content. Read full disclaimer
In the vast, intricate web of life on Earth, arthropods—the group containing insects, spiders, and crustaceans—are the most numerous and diverse animals. They are essential to the health of ecosystems, pollinating plants, recycling nutrients, and serving as food for countless other creatures. Yet, despite their importance, these small creatures have often been overlooked in formal conservation efforts. While scientists have long tracked the decline of birds and mammals, the status of most insect species remains a mystery, largely because there is no standardized way to determine which ones are rare or in danger. Without this basic knowledge, land managers and policymakers cannot make informed decisions to protect them. This gap in understanding is particularly acute in places like New Mexico, a state known for its dramatic landscapes and rich biodiversity, where many unique species live nowhere else on the planet.
A team of researchers set out to change this reality by creating a new system to identify and protect the rarest arthropods in New Mexico. They developed a project called NM-RARe, which stands for the New Mexico Rare Arthropod Resource. The goal was not just to make a list, but to build a living, accessible database that uses rigorous scientific methods to determine which species are truly at risk. By bringing together experts from universities, museums, and conservation organizations, the team compiled an initial working list of over 7,000 arthropod taxa found in the state. From this massive pool, they focused their attention on those that appeared to be rare, endemic, or threatened, conducting detailed assessments to see how close they might be to disappearing.
The researchers did not rely on guesswork. Instead, they applied two established global standards to evaluate the risk of extinction for each species. The first standard, used by the International Union for Conservation of Nature, looks at the risk of a species dying out anywhere in the world. The second standard, used by NatureServe, focuses specifically on the risk of a species disappearing from New Mexico alone. For many species, the team had to gather data from scattered sources, including museum collections, scientific literature, and reports from local experts, to build a complete picture of where these animals live and how their populations are changing. They also defined specific criteria for inclusion, such as whether a species is found only in New Mexico, whether it has been listed as threatened by federal or state agencies, or whether it has not been seen in the last ten years despite searches.
The results of this massive effort were striking. The team completed preliminary assessments for 285 different taxa, a number that far exceeded all previous assessments of arthropods in the state combined. When they applied the global standards, more than half of the species they evaluated fell into categories indicating they are threatened with extinction. In the state-specific assessments, the picture was even more urgent, with the vast majority of the evaluated species facing a high or very high risk of disappearing from New Mexico. The study identified agriculture, climate change, and alterations to natural systems like fire suppression and water management as the primary threats driving these declines. These findings revealed that the state's unique arthropod fauna is far more imperiled than previously understood.
Perhaps the most significant outcome of this work was its immediate impact on policy. For the first time in New Mexico's history, the data generated by this project was used to formally include arthropods in the state's official conservation plan. Ninety-three pollinating insect species from the database were designated as Species of Greatest Conservation Need, a status that makes them eligible for funding and protection resources. This marked a turning point, moving insects from the shadows of conservation neglect into the spotlight of state-level action. The project also created a public website where anyone can search for these species by location or name, seeing maps and profiles written by biologists. This transparency ensures that the information is available to scientists, land managers, and the public alike.
The researchers acknowledge that this is only the beginning. The current list represents a fraction of the total arthropod diversity in the state, and many groups, such as beetles and spiders, remain underrepresented due to a lack of data and experts. The project is designed to grow over time, with a council of experts overseeing the database to ensure it stays current and accurate. By establishing a clear, repeatable framework for assessing rarity and threat, the team has provided a model that other regions can follow. Their work demonstrates that with the right tools and collaboration, it is possible to bring the invisible world of small creatures into focus, ensuring that conservation efforts can reach the species that need it most.
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