threatened species

[ thret-nd spee-sheez, spee-seez ]

noun

, Biology, Ecology.

1. a plant or animal species generally perceived as likely, in the near future, to become endangered within all or much of its range:

   The drainage of this wetland promises to leave us with a number of threatened species.

2. a plant or animal species that has been categorized by the IUCN Red List as vulnerable, endangered, or critically endangered:

   In evaluating the conservation status of this threatened species, we must follow closely the population growth rate.

Example Sentences

In the first Trump presidency, the administration weakened the Endangered Species Act by making it easier to remove a species from the endangered list and reducing protections for threatened species.

From Los Angeles Times

If you eat seafood, there is a chance you could be misled as a consumer and end up eating threatened species.

From Salon

A statistical test found that ambiguous names were more important than mislabelling in hiding threatened species.

From Salon

In the US, polar bears are classified as a threatened species; scientists say the biggest threat to their future is the continuing loss of sea ice habitat, which they depend on as a platform from which to pounce on their marine prey.

From BBC

The tortoise is listed as a threatened species by the federal government, but California officials earlier this year escalated its status to endangered.

From Los Angeles Times