Question

which of the following describes a species that is likely to become endangered?
a a species that is not a focus of species conservation.
b a species that only exists in captivity.
c a species that will qualify as vulnerable in the near future.
d a species that has declined 30 percent to 50 percent in population over ten years.

Explanation:

• Option A: Just because a species is not a focus of conservation doesn't mean it's likely to become endangered. There could be many reasons it's not a focus (e.g., it's abundant in the wild).
• Option B: A species that only exists in captivity is already in a very precarious situation. But the question is about a species "likely to become" endangered. A captive - only species may already be considered endangered or extinct in the wild, not just "likely to become" endangered.
• Option C: The IUCN Red List categories (e.g., vulnerable, endangered) are based on specific criteria. If a species will qualify as vulnerable in the near future, it is on a trajectory that may lead to it being endangered if the negative trends continue. Vulnerable is a step before endangered in terms of risk of extinction.
• Option D: A 30 - 50% population decline over ten years is a significant decline. However, the IUCN Red List criteria for endangered usually require more severe declines (e.g., a 50 - 70% decline over a certain time period depending on other factors like the cause of decline)

Answer:

C. A species that will qualify as vulnerable in the near future.