Nonthreatened

Nonthreatened is an informal descriptor used to indicate that a species or population is not currently at significant risk of extinction or rapid decline. It is not an official conservation status and is not defined by the IUCN Red List. In formal assessments, terms such as Least Concern are used; 'nonthreatened' is more a general, qualitative characterization.

In practice, nonthreatened often aligns with Least Concern, but the term can be used loosely. It may also describe regional populations within a globally secure species that face local threats, or reflect insufficient data to assign a formal category. Consequently, 'nonthreatened' lacks precise criteria and varies by source.

The term appears in conservation journalism, policy discussions, and public communications. It should not substitute for formal assessment, as threats can emerge; changes in habitat, climate, or exploitation can alter status quickly. It does not convey population size or trend.

Bottom line: nonthreatened is useful for quick, non-technical communication but for scientific or policy decisions, consult official status such as IUCN categories. See also: IUCN Red List, Least Concern.