Least-concern species facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Conservation status
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Capybara, a species with a conservation status of least-concern.
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Related topics
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 Comparison of Red list classes above and NatureServe status below  |
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A least-concern species is an animal or plant that the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) has checked and found to be doing well in the wild. This means there are lots of them, and they are not currently in danger of disappearing. They do not qualify as threatened, nearly threatened, or needing special conservation help.
For a species to be called 'least concern,' scientists must have enough information about its population and where it lives. This helps them be sure it's safe and not at risk of extinction.
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What Does "Least Concern" Mean?
The International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) is a group that studies how many animals and plants are left in the world. They give each species a special status to show if it's in danger or not.
When a species is labeled "Least Concern" (LC), it means it's not a main focus for conservation efforts right now. This is because there are still many of them living in their natural homes.
How Species Are Evaluated
To decide if a species is "Least Concern," scientists need to gather enough facts. They look at how many individuals there are and where they live. If there's enough information to show the species is widespread and numerous, it gets the "LC" status.
Since 2001, the official abbreviation for this category has been "LC." Before that, it was part of a "Lower Risk" group and had a different code.
How Many Species Are "Least Concern"?
Even though "Least Concern" isn't a "red listed" category (which means endangered), the IUCN still keeps track of these species. In 2006, over 15,000 different kinds of animals and plants were listed as "Least Concern."
Most of these are animal species, including many types of frogs, mammals, and birds. There are also many plant species in this category. Interestingly, Humans were officially assessed as a least-concern species in 2008.
See Also
In Spanish: Especie bajo preocupación menor para niños
