Útrýmingarhætta

Útrýmingarhætta is an Icelandic term meaning “extinction risk” and is used in conservation biology to describe the probability that a species, taxon, or ecosystem will become extinct within a specified time period. The concept is central to assessments carried out by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) and national conservation agencies such as the Icelandic Institute of Natural History.

Assessment of útrýmingarhætta follows quantitative criteria that evaluate factors including population size, rate of decline, geographic range, and degree of fragmentation. Based on these criteria, species are classified into categories such as Least Concern, Near Threatened, Vulnerable, Endangered, Critically Endangered, and Extinct. The categories are defined by specific thresholds; for example, an Endangered species may have experienced a population reduction of 50‑70 % over the last ten years or three generations, whichever is longer.

The use of útrýmingarhætta allows policymakers and conservation practitioners to prioritize actions, allocate resources, and monitor the effectiveness of interventions. It also informs legal protection and international agreements, such as the Convention on Biological Diversity.

In Iceland, the term is applied to native flora and fauna, and to marine and Arctic ecosystems that face pressures from climate change, invasive species, and human activities. Icelandic conservation legislation mandates the integration of útrýmingarhætta assessments into land‑use planning and wildlife management, ensuring that vulnerable species receive targeted protection and that ecosystem resilience is maintained for future generations.