Introduction: Understanding Endangered Species

Endangered species are a vital part of the ecosystem. These are species that are at risk of becoming extinct, which means their entire population can disappear from the planet. The loss of any species can have a significant impact on the environment and the human population. Many of these species are critical in maintaining the balance of nature and offer several ecological, economic, and medicinal benefits. Therefore, it is essential to understand the causes of their endangerment and effective conservation strategies to protect them.

Defining and Categorizing Endangered Species

Endangered species are classified into three categories: endangered, threatened, and vulnerable. Endangered species are those that are at high risk of extinction, with a population decline of more than 50%. Threatened species are those that are likely to become endangered in the near future. Vulnerable species have a population decline of fewer than 50%. The International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) maintains the Red List of Threatened Species, which is globally recognized as the most comprehensive inventory of the conservation status of species. The list indicates the risk of extinction for various species and categorizes them accordingly.