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The IUCN Red List (also known as the "Red Data List"), created in 1963, is the world's most comprehensive inventory of the global conservation status of plant and animal species. It is maintained by the IUCN. The most recent update was November 17, 2004. There are currently 15,589 threatened species on the list, of which 7,266 are animals and 8,323 are plants and lichen.784 extinctions have been recorded since 1500 AD. This is an increase of 18 from the 766 recorded as of 2000.
The list is set upon precise criteria to evaluate the extinction risk of thousands of species and subspecies. These criteria are relevant to all species and all regions of the world.
The Red List is established upon strong scientific base, and is often recognised as the most authoritative guide to the status of biological diversity.
The Red List aims at conveying the urgency of conservation issues to the public and policy makers, as well as helping the international community to try to reduce species extinction.
Species are classified in 8 groups, set through criterias such as rate of decline, population size, area of geographic distribution, and degree of population and distribution fragmentation.
- Extinct;
- Extinct in the Wild;
- Critically Endangered;
- Endangered;
- Vulnerable;
- Lower Risk;
- Data Deficient;
- Not Evaluated.
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