What is a threatened species?

A threatened species refers to organisms that are likely to become endangered in the near future. This classification serves as an important conservation status, indicating that these species are facing a risk of extinction due to various factors such as habitat loss, climate change, overexploitation, or other environmental pressures. Identifying a species as threatened helps prioritize conservation efforts and implement necessary measures to protect these species before they reach a more critical status.

The other types of species classifications play different roles in the context of conservation: organisms that are no longer found in the wild indicate extinction; those currently endangered are at a higher immediate risk of extinction than threatened species; and organisms that cause harm to crops typically refer to pests rather than a conservation status. Understanding the distinction between these classifications is essential for effective environmental management and conservation strategies.