Vulnerable Species

Vulnerable species are plants and animals that are most at risk of becoming threatened or endangered in the near future. These species are identified using criteria set by the International Union for Conservation of Nature, and are designated as such if their numbers are declining significantly, or if their populations are especially small or isolated. Vulnerable species are particularly important because of the role they play in their ecosystems, and the many vital services they provide, such as pollination of crops, water filtration through wetlands, and maintaining healthy soil. Furthermore, the protection of vulnerable species often helps to protect entire ecosystems, on which all life on our planet depends. As such, there is a great importance placed on conservation efforts to protect vulnerable species, both through direct conservation actions and through raising awareness of their plight.