Appendix O: How to calculate integrity scores

Step-by-step instructions for generating integrity scores from public data

Integrity scores need to be validated from public data. Accepted sources in order of preference are peer-reviewed research papers, academic theses, public datasets, expert opinion, and NGO/policy reports.

Many rare animals have poor documentation of their characteristics. Most projects will need to satisfy independent expert reviewers for the integrity scores they have decided to use. We have strong hopes that this science will become more standardized and open-source in the future. For now, we've established a database that experts are welcome to contribute to, to make the science and calculations on integrity scores more transparent and robust.

Basic protocols for integrity score determination:

• Integrity scores range from 0 to 1.

• Species with scores of 1:

  • Species that are 'Critically Endangered' according to the global IUCN Red List or national/regional assessments OR

  • Species documented to be highly sensitive to habitat degradation OR

  • Species that are documented apex predators OR

  • Species listed in CITES Appendix 1 OR

  • Tree species are documented old-growth specialists

• Species with scores of 0.9:

  • Species that are 'Endangered' according to the global IUCN Red List or national/regional assessments OR

  • Species listed in CITES Appendix 2 OR

  • Tree species of the same genus are documented old-growth specialists

• Species with scores of 0.8:

  • Species that are 'Vulnerable' according to the global IUCN Red List or national/regional assessments OR

  • Species listed in CITES Appendix 3 OR

  • Trees are documented late-successional specialists

• Species with scores of 0.7:

  • Species that are 'Nearly Threatened' according to the global IUCN Red List or national/regional assessments OR

  • Tree species of the same genus are documented late-successional specialists

• For all other cases, assess integrity scores individually based on the above-mentioned public sources.

• Based on the integrity scores assigned to each reference for a given species, we will use the maximum value for that species in our ISBM.

Example database

An example, open-science public database of integrity score for Savimbo projects is reported below. If you want to contribute to researching the characteristics here we could definitely use the help for a LOT of Indigenous projects. Hit us up! We'll put you to work.