Page 85 - Science Class 08

THREATENED SPECIES maximum number of threatened species in this

There are many species of animals which have book.
greatly reduced in number that they are likely IUCN has categorised threatened species into
to ex nct in near future, if proper precau ons three categories on the basis of present and
are not taken. You have already studied about past distribu on decline in the number of the
more major causes behind this problem. popula on in course of me, abundance and
quality of natural habitat and the biological and
There is an interna onal organisa on which
poten al value of the species.
maintains the record of threatened species. It
is Interna onal Union of Conserva on of These categories are:
Nature (IUCN). Its headquarters is at Morge, Endangered Species
Switzerland. This organisa on in presently Species which are on the verge of ex nc on are
known as World Conserva on Union. referred to as endangered species. If the causal

RED DATA BOOK factors con nue, these species would become
ex nct soon. Some endangered species are
IUCN has various record books on which it
Indian rhinoceros, Asia c lion, blue whale,
maintains the
great Indian bustard, crocodile, etc.
record of all
the Vulnerable Species
threatened There are certain species which may get into
animals and the list of endangered species if the responsible
plants. These factors are not corrected on me. Popula on of
these species have been seriously depleted and
books are
there are black buck, golden langur, chinkara
called Red
deer, blue pheasant, etc.
Data Books.
There are Rare Species
different Red There are certain species whose popula on are
Data Books for originally small and sca ered in the world.

plants, These species have been kept in the list of rare
animals and species. These are localised in certain geogra-
other species. phic areas and exhibit sca ered popula on
considering the global environment. These
There are 497 mammls, 1037 birds, 343 fishes,
species may enter the category of vulnerable or
50 amphibians, 170 rep les and 1355
endangered species in near future.
invertebrates in the list of these records. But,
the number of plants is over 20,000. India has For example, golden cat, monk seal, great Indian
bustard, wild buffalo, etc.

Hectare : A large piece of land
Fauna : The animals of a particular region
Biodiversity : Variation of life at all levels of biological organisation

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