conservation status

American  

[kon-ser-vey-shuhn stey-tuhs, stat-uhs] / ˌkɒn sərˈveɪ ʃən ˌsteɪ təs, ˌstæt əs /

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?

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Etymology

Origin of conservation status

First recorded in 1965–70

Example Sentences

Both the pink waxcap and violet coral are listed as "vulnerable" on The Red List, a conservation status catalogue compiled by the International Union for the Conservation of Nature.

From BBC • Oct. 7, 2025

Many of the conservation status designation decisions — for example, whether a species is endangered — rely on the information available.

From Salon • Apr. 23, 2025

That’s the same conservation status as raccoons and crows.

From Los Angeles Times • Jul. 21, 2024

Founding Director and Principal Scientist at Sea Search Research & Conservation, and at the Department of BotZoo, University of Stellenbosch, Dr. Simon Elwen, is an expert in the ecology, behavior, and conservation status of whales.

From Science Daily • Mar. 2, 2024

The change would allow EU nations to cull wolves at scale for the first time in 4 decades, although countries would still be obligated to ensure that wolves maintain a “favorable” conservation status.

From Science Magazine • Jan. 23, 2024