|
| Dear Yahoo!: |
| How does an animal make the endangered species list? |
Danielle
Marion, North Carolina |
|
| Dear Danielle: |
According to the World Conservation Monitoring Centre (WCMC), there are several criteria for defining an endangered species. A species only has to meet one of the following conditions to qualify: - A population reduction of at least 50% over the last 10 years or three generations.
- An area of occupancy estimated to be less than 500 square kilometers.
- A population estimated to number less than 2500 mature individuals with clear evidence that this number is declining quickly.
- A total population estimated to number less than 250 mature individuals.
- Quantitative analysis showing the probability of extinction in the wild is at least 20% within 20 years or 5 generations.
These are just the
basics -- for more specific definitions, check the WCMC page. For a great meta-index of pages devoted to defining endangered species, visit the Definitions Links at EE Link. And don't forget the Yahoo! Full Coverage page on endangered species for continually updated news on the subject.
|
|
|
|
|
