threatened species

[thret-nd spee-sheez, spee-seez]

noun

Biology, Ecology.

1. a plant or animal species generally perceived as likely, in the near future, to become endangered within all or much of its range.

   The drainage of this wetland promises to leave us with a number of threatened species.

2. a plant or animal species that has been categorized by the IUCN Red List as vulnerable, endangered, or critically endangered.

   In evaluating the conservation status of this threatened species, we must follow closely the population growth rate.

Example Sentences

Jonathan Growcott added: "We believe there needs to be a paradigm shift in wildlife monitoring and a large-scale change to using passive acoustic techniques. As bioacoustics improve, they'll be vital for the effective conservation of lions and other threatened species."

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The trees — which are actually succulents — are protected by a special state conservation law and are candidates for California’s threatened species list.

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They are however classed as endangered on the International Union for Conservation of Nature's Red List of Threatened Species -- primarily due to overfishing of the species which commercial fish farms cannot breed in captivity.

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"We found the patterns of today's threats to be different from those of past extinctions. For example, most extinct species are mollusks and vertebrates on islands that were driven extinct by invasive species, but most threatened species today are mainland species facing habitat destruction."

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For instance, the Nature Conservancy has been working for some time to curb illegal and improper ocean fishing practices External link —such as catching endangered or threatened species—by employing electronic monitoring technology.

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