The New Zealand Threat Classification System is used by the Department of Conservation to assess conservation priorities of species in New Zealand.[1]
The system was developed because the IUCN Red List, a similar conservation status system, had some shortcomings for the unique requirements of conservation ranking in New Zealand. As of 2011,[update] plants, animals, and fungi are evaluated, though the lattermost has yet to be published.[2] Algae were assessed in 2005 but not reassessed since.[2] Other protists have not been evaluated.[2]
Species that are ranked are assigned categories:[3]
A series of qualifiers are used to give additional information on the threat classification:[1][3]
Qualifier | Definition | |
---|---|---|
CD | Conservation Dependent | Likely to move to a higher threat category if current management ceases |
DP | Data Poor | Confidence in the listing is low due to the poor data available for assessment |
De | Designated | The criteria does not completely apply to the taxa |
EW | Extinct in the Wild | Exists only in cultivation or in captivity |
EF | Extreme Fluctuations | Extreme unnatural population fluctuations, or natural fluctuations overlaying human-induced declines, that increase the threat of extinction |
Inc | Increasing | Population thought to increase 10% over 3 generations or 10 years |
IE | Island Endemic | Endemic only to a single archipelago and not the main islands |
OL | One Location | Found at one location (geographically or ecologically distinct area) in which a single event (such as a predator irruption) could soon affect all individuals of the taxon |
PD | Partial Decline | Taxa has one or more secure populations but otherwise is declining |
RR | Range Restricted | taxa confined to less than 1,000 km2 (390 sq mi) |
RF | Recruitment Failure | Current population may appear stable but the age structure is such that catastrophic declines are likely in the future |
SO | Secure Overseas | Secure in other parts of its natural range outside New Zealand |
Sp | Sparse | Taxa in small, scattered populations |
ST | Stable | Total population stable |
TO | Threatened Overseas | Threatened in those parts of its natural range outside New Zealand |