Conservation Tool

IUCN Red List of Threatened Species

The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species™ is the world’s most comprehensive information source on the global extinction risk status of animal, fungus and plant species. Open to all, it is used by governmental bodies, non-profit organisations, businesses and individuals.

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157,190

Description

species assessed

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44,016

Description

threatened species

A barometer of life

The IUCN Red List is a critical indicator of the health of the world’s biodiversity. It is a powerful tool to inform conservation action and policy. It provides information about species’ range, population size, habitats and ecology, use and trade, threats, and conservation actions that help inform conservation decisions.

The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species™

 

 

 

 

 

The Red List Index shows trends in overall extinction risk for species. Governments use the Index to track their progress towards targets for reducing biodiversity loss.

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Species are classified into one of nine Red List Categories: Extinct, Extinct in the Wild, Critically Endangered, Endangered, Vulnerable, Near Threatened, Least Concern, Data Deficient and Not Evaluated. Vulnerable, Endangered and Critically Endangered species are considered to be threatened with extinction.

The IUCN Red List will be updated with thousands of new species assessments and reassessments on Monday 11 December 2023.

Red List partners and support

The IUCN Red List is made possible through the active participation of the 13 Red List Partner organisations. The growing number of assessed species represents an enormous investment of time, expertise and financial resources by a large number of individuals and organisations. Learn about the assessment process.

Support the Red List

We welcome your support to fund the assessment of species.

featured image

Critically Endangered dawn jewel damselfly (Chlorocypha aurora)

Jens Kipping

Measuring recovery: The Green Status of Species

The IUCN Red List includes the IUCN Green Status of Species, which assesses the recovery of species’ populations and measures their conservation success.

There are eight Green Status Categories: Extinct in the Wild, Critically Depleted, Largely Depleted, Moderately Depleted, Slightly Depleted, Fully Recovered, Non-Depleted and Indeterminate.

A Green Status assessment looks at how conservation actions have affected the current Red List status, what we might expect if conservation actions were halted and how a species’ status might be improved in future with conservation action. This is reflected in a set of conservation metrics.

Featured Red List resources