Conserveringsstatus

Conserveringsstatus, or conservation status, is a designation describing the level of risk of extinction or decline faced by a species, subspecies, population, or habitat. It is used to inform conservation priorities, monitor biodiversity, and guide policy and action at local, national, and international levels.

Global frameworks provide the most widely used benchmarks. The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species classifies taxa into categories such as Least Concern, Near Threatened, Vulnerable, Endangered, Critically Endangered, Extinct in the Wild, and Extinct, with a separate Data Deficient category for poorly known cases. In addition to species, the IUCN maintains the Red List of Ecosystems. Many countries maintain national or regional red lists that adapt criteria to local conditions and priorities.

Assessment criteria typically include population size and trends, geographic range and fragmentation, habitat quality and extent, subpopulation structure, and, when possible, quantitative analyses of extinction risk. A taxon can be listed with a global status or a national status; statuses are usually reviewed on a standardized cycle, such as every several years, as new data become available.

The assessment process involves qualified experts who gather and evaluate data, apply standardized criteria, and subject findings to peer review before publication in the Red List or national lists. Conservation status informs protection measures, resource allocation, research priorities, and public awareness campaigns. Limitations include data gaps, uncertainty, time lags between data collection and assessment, and potential biases toward well-studied species. Statuses should be interpreted as indicators of risk rather than precise predictions.