In early 2025, the IUCN Species Survival Commission (SSC) introduced a new Specialist Group dedicated to woodlice, formally known as terrestrial isopods (Crustacea: Isopoda: Oniscidea). This is a significant milestone in the conservation of soil biodiversity, as woodlice have long been overlooked in global conservation efforts, despite their ecological importance.
With over 4,100 species described and often found in high densities across nearly all biogeographic realms and terrestrial environments, woodlice play a significant role as detritivores in maintaining healthy soils. They are key contributors to essential ecosystem functions, such as litter decomposition, nutrient cycling and water retention in soils. Their presence supports the intricate web of life beneath our feet, yet they remain largely absent from conservation planning, Red List assessments, and national and international environmental regulations.
Woodlice face a growing array of threats, including land-use changes, soil contamination, extreme climatic events, mining, the introduction of invasive alien species and the expanding international pet trade. They are poor dispersers and therefore sensitive to environmental changes. The woodlouse pet trade, a relatively recent and under-researched phenomenon, involves the global exchange of woodlouse species prized for their vivid colouration or attractive ornamentations, ease of care, compact housing needs and harmless nature. Many of the traded species have a restricted geographical range, are undescribed scientifically and are often collected from the wild without regulation. Their distributions, microhabitats and ecological requirements are also poorly known, making it difficult to evaluate their conservation status accurately. The troglobitic woodlice are a particularly vulnerable group, with many endemic to single cave systems. In addition, there are also many species endemic to single mountain ranges. The conservation status of few of these species has been assessed, despite their extreme habitat specificity and potential risk of extinction.
Woodlice provide unique opportunities for scientific research and public engagement. Their relatively large size, ubiquity and predictable responses to changes in temperature, soil moisture, and land-use, make them suitable model organisms for studying responses of soil fauna to global environmental change. Moreover, their familiarity to the public provides a valuable bridge for raising awareness about the importance of soil fauna conservation. The newly formed Woodlouse Specialist Group brings together 43 experts, including academics, conservationists and passionate enthusiasts from 21 countries across all major regions of the world. Over the next 4 years, the group will focus on several key initiatives such as a global Red List assessment of woodlouse species, compilation of georeferenced distribution data, research into ecology and habitat requirements, and investigation of the scale and impact of the woodlouse pet trade. Red List assessments will lead to the development of action plans for those species categorized as Critically Endangered, and action plans will facilitate in situ and ex situ conservation actions to ensure the long-term survival and recovery of those species with highest extinction risk.
Enquiries about the newly created Specialist Group can be directed to pallieter.desmedt@ugent.be.
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