Therefore, the use of IUCN assessment criteria promises considerable added value for future editions of the Red Data Book of Turkmenistan. Research and monitoring staff patrol their reserves on an ad hoc basis and record observations on biodiversity, based on a methodological handbook. Their records (usually in tabular format) are compiled in the annual Nature Chronicles of each State reserve, and are also used to estimate the abundance of key species (typically as individuals per km of linear survey or per unit area). Results are reported reguarly to the Department of Protection of Flora and Fauna.