Threatened species

The term "threatened" is used to describe species at risk of extinction, specifically those falling into IUCN's threat categories of Critically Endangered (CR), Endangered (EN) and Vulnerable (VU). The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species is the most comprehensive global standard on the status and distribution of globally threatened species. Individual species are assigned threat categories by a network of specialist groups which convene workshops to compile and review the best available information on species. The categorization of species is based on a set of explicit quantitative criteria and standards which are subject to review and continuous appraisal. Many national and local governments have developed complementary listings of threatened species, many of which contribute towards or are informed by the IUCN Red List. These are often available in national or regional reports, legislation or related policies. Where species have not been evaluated by IUCN Red List or national lists, the criteria for global (IUCN, 2001) or regional (IUCN, 2003) assessments could be used to assign a threat category to them. http://www.iucnredlist.org. Additional national or regional listings should also be used where these may differ from the IUCN Red List.