What is the difference between endangered and threatened?

Definitions

endangered

- Referring to a species that is at risk of extinction due to various factors such as habitat loss, climate change, or human activities.

- Describing a situation where something is in danger of disappearing or becoming extinct.

- Talking about a person or group that is at risk of harm or danger.

threatened

- Referring to a species that is likely to become endangered in the near future due to various factors such as habitat loss, climate change, or human activities.

- Describing a situation where something is at risk of harm or danger.

- Talking about a person or group that is at risk of harm or danger.

List of Similarities

• 1. Both words describe a state of being at risk or in danger.
• 2. Both words can be used to refer to species that are at risk of extinction.
• 3. Both words can be used to describe situations where something is in danger of disappearing or being harmed.
• 4. Both words can be used to describe people or groups that are at risk of harm or danger.

What is the difference?

• 1. Severity: Endangered implies a higher degree of risk and danger than threatened.
• 2. Timeframe: Endangered refers to a current state of risk, while threatened refers to a potential future state of risk.
• 3. Legal status: Endangered is a legal term used by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) to classify species at high risk of extinction, while threatened is not a formal classification.
• 4. Scope: Endangered is a broader term that can refer to a wider range of risks and dangers, while threatened is more specific to the risk of extinction.
• 5. Usage: Endangered is more commonly used than threatened in scientific and conservation contexts.

📌

Remember this!

Endangered and threatened are synonyms that describe a state of being at risk or in danger. However, endangered implies a higher degree of risk and danger than threatened, and it refers to a current state of risk, while threatened refers to a potential future state of risk. Additionally, endangered is a legal term used by the IUCN to classify species at high risk of extinction, while threatened is not a formal classification.