WHAT ARE THREATENED AND ENDANGERED SPECIES?
An “endangered” species is one that is in danger of extinction throughout all or a significant portion of its range. A “threatened” species is one that is likely to become endangered in the foreseeable future. The US Fish and Wildlife Service also maintains a list of species that are candidates or proposed for listing as threatened or endangered. In California, the state has designated two additional categories: rare species, and species of special concern. Collectively, endangered, threatened, rare, special concern species are referred to as special status species. Special status species may be animals (including birds, fish, and insects), or plants. Today there are 50 species of plants and animals (26 animal and 22 plant species) that occur in or near San Francisco Bay wetlands that are listed as threatened of endangered under the state and federal endangered species act. In addition to state and federally listed species, the Bay Area is home to 16 fish and wildlife species and 13 pl
