Red List

Definition

The Red List, created by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN), is a comprehensive inventory that assesses the global conservation status of plant and animal species. It categorizes species based on their risk of extinction, aiming to raise awareness and guide conservation actions.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. The IUCN Red List categorizes species into nine groups including 'Least Concern,' 'Vulnerable,' 'Endangered,' and 'Critically Endangered.'
2. Over 138,300 species have been assessed in the latest version of the Red List.
3. The criteria used for assessment include population size, rate of decline, area of geographic distribution, and degree of population fragmentation.
4. The Red List is a critical tool used by governments, NGOs, and researchers to prioritize conservation efforts.
5. Species listed as Critically Endangered face an extremely high risk of extinction in the wild.

Review Questions

• What organization is responsible for creating and maintaining the Red List?
• How many categories are there in the IUCN Red List classification system?
• Why is the IUCN Red List considered an essential tool for biodiversity conservation?

Related terms

Biodiversity: one sentence definition

Endangered Species Act:

U.S. law aimed at protecting critically imperiled species from extinction due to human activities.

Habitat Fragmentation: The process by which large habitats are broken into smaller, isolated patches due to human activities or natural phenomena.