What term is used for species whose population is reduced to the point of nearing extinction?

The term used for species whose population is reduced to the point of nearing extinction is "endangered species." This classification indicates that the species faces a very high risk of extinction in the wild in the near future. Factors contributing to a species being labeled as endangered can include habitat loss, overexploitation, pollution, disease, and climate change, among others.

Vulnerable species, while still at risk, face less immediate threats and have larger populations than endangered species. Threatened species represent those that are likely to become endangered in the future, emphasizing a spectrum of risk rather than the immediate crisis faced by endangered species. Protected species are those that are legally safeguarded from harm or trade, which may include both endangered and threatened categories but does not specifically define the risk level of extinction based on population size.