t is estimated there are 8–10 million species on Earth. Of these, around two million have been formally described which, in simple terms means these species have been discovered, have been shown to be different from other species previously described and have been given a unique scientific name. These are the scientifically named species.
Of these two million named species, over 120,000 have been assessed by the International Union for Conservation of Nature for their Red List of Threatened Species. A list which is commonly referred to as the IUCN Red List. The Red List was established in 1964 by the IUCN and is generally recognized as the most comprehensive information source on the global conservation status of plant, animal and fungi species. According to the IUCN website, the IUCN Red List is updated at least twice each year.
The IUCN Red List divides the status of species into nine categories: