data deficient

American  

[dey-tuh di-fish-uhnt, dat-uh, dah-tuh] / ˈdeɪ tə dɪˌfɪʃ ənt, ˈdæt ə, ˈdɑ tə /

adjective

Biology, Ecology.

1. (of a plant or animal species) lacking a properly assessed conservation status due to insufficient information on population and distribution, as categorized by the IUCN Red List: DD

   We are tracking the populations of data deficient fishes and mollusks.

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Etymology

Origin of data deficient

First recorded in 1995–2000

Example Sentences

Currently, about one in seven species are classified as data deficient by the International Union for Conservation of Nature.

From Science Daily

Scientists report that information about fireflies is oftentimes "data deficient" which is why so many local, state and nationwide data collection initiatives, including Firefly Atlas or Firefly Watch are invaluable to collectively report firefly sightings and develop other helpful data points.

From Salon

For these “data deficient” species, a new study published in Communications Biology on August 4 suggests that no news is probably not good news.

From Scientific American

The killer whale, for example, happens to be labeled data deficient.

From The Verge

But more than 20,000 species are classified as data deficient.

From The Verge