International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN)

Definition

The International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) is an international organization that assesses the conservation status of species and ecosystems. It provides a framework for identifying and categorizing the level of threat faced by different species.

Analogy

Think of the IUCN as a global watchdog for nature. Just like how a watchdog keeps an eye on things to ensure safety, the IUCN keeps an eye on species and ecosystems to determine their conservation status.

Related terms

Endangered Species: Species that are at high risk of extinction in the near future.

Threatened Species: Species that are likely to become endangered if no action is taken to protect them.

Vulnerable Species: Species that are at moderate risk of endangerment due to declining population or habitat loss.