Summary
Species at high risk of extinction, listed on the IUCN Red List.
In depth
IUCN categories: Least Concern, Near Threatened, Vulnerable, Endangered, Critically Endangered, Extinct in the Wild, Extinct. About 28 percent of assessed species face extinction.
Listing triggers legal protection. Recovery plans address threats. Some species have recovered thanks to action.
Key idea: extinction risk is assessed by transparent criteria.
The IUCN Red List classifies species by extinction risk: Least Concern, Near Threatened, Vulnerable, Endangered, Critically Endangered, Extinct in the Wild and Extinct. Endangered species face a very high risk of extinction in the wild in the near future.
Causes include habitat loss, overexploitation, invasive species, pollution, disease and climate change. Over 44,000 species are threatened, including about 41 percent of amphibians, 34 percent of conifers and 27 percent of mammals. Legal protection includes CITES (trade controls) and national laws such as the US Endangered Species Act. Recovery combines habitat protection, captive breeding and reducing threats.
Example: the giant panda improved from Endangered to Vulnerable.
Key idea: listing is a call for action, and some species recover.
Frequently asked questions
What is Endangered Species?
Species at high risk of extinction, listed on the IUCN Red List.
Which area of biology covers Endangered Species, and how advanced is it?
Endangered Species is one of the 52 topics in Taxonomy & Biodiversity. It is rated Beginner, so it suits learners who are starting out in biology. Related topics in this area include IUCN Red List Criteria, Threats to Biodiversity, Conservation Biology.
Can you give an example of Endangered Species?
The giant panda was downlisted to Vulnerable in 2016.
What should I learn before Endangered Species?
Endangered Species is a Beginner topic, so no earlier topic is required. Other Beginner topics in Taxonomy & Biodiversity that pair well with it include Taxonomy, Binomial Nomenclature, Taxonomic Hierarchy.
What topics are related to Endangered Species?
The closest topics to Endangered Species are IUCN Red List Criteria, Threats to Biodiversity, Conservation Biology, Endemic Species. Comparing them side by side is a good way to see how the ideas connect.
How can I check that I understand Endangered Species?
Read the summary and the in-depth section, then use the quick check on the interactive lesson for Endangered Species. To practise the whole of Taxonomy & Biodiversity, use the Taxonomy & Biodiversity quiz.
How is Endangered Species different from IUCN Red List Criteria?
Endangered Species: Species at high risk of extinction, listed on the IUCN Red List. IUCN Red List Criteria: Quantitative thresholds for population size, decline and range classify species from Least Concern to Extinct. Read both side by side and note what each one explains.
How should I study Endangered Species step by step?
First, read the summary and write the definition in your own words. Second, read the in-depth section and note any example. Third, compare it with IUCN Red List Criteria and explain the difference aloud. Finally, take the Taxonomy & Biodiversity quiz and come back to this page for any question you miss.