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The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species (also known as the IUCN Red List or Red Data List), created in 1963, is the world's most comprehensive inventory of the global conservation status of plant and animal species. The International Union for the Conservation of Nature and Natural Resources (IUCN) is the world's main authority on the conservation status of species. A series of Regional Red Lists are produced by countries or organizations, which assess the risk of extinction to species within a political management unit.
The IUCN Red List is set upon precise criteria to evaluate the extinction risk of thousands of species and subspecies. These criteria are relevant to all species and all regions of the world. The aim is to convey the urgency of conservation issues to the public and policy makers, as well as help the international community to try to reduce species extinction. IUCN Red List is widely considered to be the most objective and authoritative system for classifying species in terms of the risk of extinction.
2001 Categories & Criteria
(version 3.1)
Description
An endangered species is a population of an organism which is at risk of becoming extinct because it is either few in numbers, or threatened by changing environmental or predation parameters. The IUCN has issues a Red List which is accurately capable of monitoring the status of the species in question.
Extinct (EX), there is no reasonable doubt that the last individual has died.
Extinct in the Wild (EW), known only to survive in cultivation, in captivity or as a naturalized population (or populations) well outside the past range.
Critically Endangered (CR), facing an extremely high risk of extinction in the wild.
Endangered (EN), considered to be facing a very high risk of extinction in the wild.
Vulnerable (VU), considered to be facing a high risk of extinction in the wild
(1999)Conservation Dependent (LR/cd), the focus of a continuing taxon-specific or habitat-specific conservation program targeted towards the taxon in question, the cessation of which would result in the taxon qualifying for one of the threatened categories below within a period of five years.
Near Threatened (NT or LR/nt), is close to qualifying for or is likely to qualify for a threatened category in the near future.
Least Concern (LC or LR/lc), lowest risk. Does not qualify for a more at risk category. Widespread and abundant taxa are included in this category.
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