# Explain how the IUCN Red List criteria are used to assess the conservation status of a species and how this information can guide conservation prioritisation.

> IB DP Biology Higher Level (2023 syllabus) — A4.2 Conservation of biodiversity · Explain · 4 marks

## Mark scheme (4 marks)

1. The IUCN Red List uses quantitative criteria to categorise species into threat categories (e.g. Critically Endangered, Endangered, Vulnerable, Least Concern).
2. Assessment criteria include rate of population decline, geographic range size / restriction, small or declining population size, and quantitative probability of extinction within a defined time frame.
3. Red List status identifies species most at risk of extinction, allowing conservationists to direct limited resources (funding, management effort) towards the most threatened taxa first.
4. Red List data can also inform legal protection decisions (e.g. national legislation, international agreements such as CITES) and guide habitat protection or restoration in areas with high concentrations of threatened species.

## Key terms

- [IUCN Red List](https://www.gradenine.co.uk/glossary/iucn-red-list)
- [conservation status](https://www.gradenine.co.uk/glossary/conservation-status)
- [conservation prioritisation](https://www.gradenine.co.uk/glossary/conservation-prioritisation)

## Related

- [Revision notes for IB DP Biology Higher Level (2023 syllabus)](https://www.gradenine.co.uk/learn)
- [How to answer "Explain" questions](https://www.gradenine.co.uk/tools/command-word-cheatsheet)
- [Practice this with AI marking (free)](https://www.gradenine.co.uk/start)

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Source: [GradeNine](https://www.gradenine.co.uk/q/explain-how-the-iucn-red-list-a339122c) · Published by Druglandscape Ltd.