Species in danger of extinction are called threatened species. There are many causes why a species become threatened, and some causes are hard to detect.
Species in danger of extinction
Species in danger of extinction from our nature are characterized by either being rare, or the number of individuals is in strong decrease. A typical situation for many threatened species is when the population consists of few individuals, and have only few or reduced remaining habitats. The term 'threatened' is used only for species that suffer more than a 10% probability of becoming extinct in the next 100 years. In Norway, there are 1988 species that can be classified as threatened.
The number of species that become extinct is increasing in modern times, and the speed of this process is far higher than what can be considered natural. Human activities are considered as an important effect. In Norway, around 80 species have probably disappeared in the last 150 years. These are mainly vascular plants and beetles.
Causes for threatening of species
Both natural and man-made factors affect nature, and human activities that change the nature can lead to a negative development for many species and ecosystems.
Human influence has increased considerably with the use of modern technology in new areas. Today, changing use of areas (construction included) is the largest threat to biodiversity. Other important threat factors are pollution, climate changes, exploitation and introduced species. Several factors often work together, increasing the complexity of threats and the risk of extinction. Some species are found only in a few areas or in limited areas, and they are particularly exposed if their living areas disappear.
The role of the Norwegian Biodiversity Information Centre
The role of NBIC towards threatened species is to disseminate available, quality reassured knowledge on the state and development of Norwegian species. This is done primarily through the development of a national Red List. It is, however, important to emphasize the fact that the Red List comprises more than an evaluation of threatened species. A new and revised Norwegian Red List was published on December 6th, 2006.