conservation status

[ kon-ser-vey-shuhn stey-tuhs, stat-uhs ]

noun

, Biology, Ecology.

1. the designation of a plant or animal species’ likelihood of becoming extinct or having already become extinct: the most consulted global ranking system for conservation status is the IUCN Red List:

   Has the conservation status of the narwhal changed over the past five years?

Word History and Origins

Origin of conservation status¹

First recorded in 1965–70