Species of concern

An informal term referring to a species that might be in need of con-servation action. This may range from a need for periodic monitoring of populations and threats to the species and its habitat, to the necessity for listing as threatened or endangered. Such species receive no legal protection and use of the term does not necessarily imply that a species will eventually be proposed for listing. A similar term is Aspecies at risk,@ which is a general term for listed species as well as unlisted ones that are declining in population. Canada uses the term in its new ASpecies at Risk Act.@ “Imperiled species” is another general term for listed as well as unlisted species that are declining.