The Species at Risk (Table) KPI provides a detailed analytical view of threatened plant and animal species present in the study area, classified according to the European Red List (EEA, 2024). Unlike the companion Species at Risk (Pie) KPI which shows a gauge and pie distribution, this KPI presents a scrollable rich-text panel containing an expert-written or AI-generated biodiversity analysis together with a full species table listing the scientific name, taxonomic category, and IUCN threat level for each species detected.
Biodiversity loss is accelerating under human pressure: Ceballos et al. (2015) estimate that the current extinction rate is 8 to 100 times higher than the natural background rate — a true sixth mass extinction event. The detailed species inventory provided by this KPI enables targeted conservation interventions and longitudinal monitoring.
The KPI produces two quantitative indicators: a total species count (not inverted: more species = richer biodiversity) and an at-risk species count covering species with threat level VU or higher (inverted: more at-risk species = worse ecological conditions).
IUCN categories covered: the full European Red List scale with 11 categories is shown in the panel, from NE (Not Evaluated) to EX (Extinct). The at-risk count includes only species with VU or higher (VU, EN, CR, CR(PE), EW, EX, ER, RE).
For each study area, species are identified via spatial intersection between the site polygon and the European Red Lists of Species (EEA, 2024). Extinct (EX) or Extinct in the Wild (EW) species without occurrence geometry are supplemented from the IUCN Red List (2025). For each identified species, the scientific name, taxonomic category (Birds, Insects, Plants, Fish, Mammals, etc.), and IUCN threat code are recorded.
The at-risk species count includes species with threat category VU (Vulnerable) or higher — specifically VU, EN, CR, CR(PE), EW, EX, ER, and RE.
The panel text (analysis narrative) is generated by an AI model using the full species list as input data, or can be written and edited by an expert via the admin interface. A species-level CSV is available for download.
Detail Card. Scrollable rich-text HTML panel displaying an expert or AI-generated conservation analysis of the site's species composition.
Purpose: What is the full conservation status and species composition of this area — which individual species are present, and what threat level do they face?
Description: The panel occupies the right column of the 2-column "Species at risk" grid under Assessment > State of biodiversity > State of species. The card header shows the title "Species at risk" with action buttons: Edit (admin), Download CSV, Source (data origin dialog), AI Commentary (triggers AI analysis), and Embed Widget. The scrollable body contains an HTML narrative that includes: (1) a description of threatened species and the pressure factors driving extinction risk; (2) a coverage note on taxonomic groups (mammals, amphibians, fish, reptiles, insects, plants, fungi); (3) the IUCN threat level legend with all 11 categories; (4) the full species data table with columns: Category (taxonomic group), Name (scientific name), Threat Level (IUCN code).
How it's calculated: The panel content is built from the full species list returned by the conservation status API, which provides species with category, count, percentage, and individual taxa. The AI commentary uses this structured data as a prompt. The species table sorts entries by decreasing threat severity (RE/EX first, then CR, EN, VU, then lower categories).
Interpretation example:
If the panel shows "Geronticus eremita — RE (Locally extinct)" and "Vanellus gregarius — CR (Critically endangered)", the site is in a historically significant area for these species, with strong indications of ecological degradation and high conservation priority. A panel with only LC/NT entries signals a healthier ecosystem with low immediate extinction risk.
Data Table. Structured table of all species detected in the site polygon, accessible within the scrollable panel.
Purpose: Provide the full species-level inventory with threat classification, enabling species-specific conservation planning and regulatory reporting.
Description: Embedded within the "Species at risk" detail card, the table has three columns: Category (taxonomic group: Birds, Insects, Plants, Fish, Mammals, Reptiles, Amphibians, Fungi), Name (scientific species name in italics), Threat Level (IUCN code). Rows are sorted by decreasing severity. The panel header above the table shows badge counters for total surveys and number of threatened species.
How it's calculated: Each row corresponds to one species identified via spatial intersection of the site polygon with the EEA European Red Lists 2024 and IUCN Red List 2025 sources. The full IUCN scale is represented:
| Code | Threat Level |
|---|---|
| NE | Not assessed |
| DD | Data deficient |
| LC | Least concern |
| NT | Near threatened |
| VU | Vulnerable |
| EN | Endangered |
| CR | Critically endangered |
| CR (PE) | Critically endangered, possibly extinct |
| EW | Extinct in the wild |
| RE | Locally extinct |
| EX | Extinct |
Interpretation example:
If the table shows 3 entries with CR or RE and 12 entries with VU, the site supports a significant number of threatened species, with some facing immediate extinction risk locally — a strong signal for targeted habitat protection and restoration.
Assessment Sidebar Row. Row in the assessment sidebar showing the at-risk species KPI with Site and Control indicators. Shared with the Species at Risk (Pie) KPI.
Purpose: Provide quick access to the Site vs Control comparison for the at-risk species indicator when navigating any section of the assessment.
Description: The assessment sidebar is always visible in all assessment pages. The "At-risk species" row sits under the "E4 | Biodiversity" group and shows two colored badges: the site value and the control value, both with their A–E grade. Clicking the row navigates to the State of species section.
How it's calculated: The displayed value is the A–E grade of the at-risk species indicator for the site and control area respectively. The quality scale uses the ranges: 0–1 species (A, Excellent), 2–5 (B, Good), 5–10 (C, Moderate), 10–15 (D, Poor), > 15 (E, Critical).
Note: This indicator is inverted — lower values (fewer at-risk species) indicate better conditions.
Interpretation example:
If the row shows "Site: E — Control: C", it means the site has far more at-risk species (> 15) than the surrounding control area (5–10), signaling a site-specific local pressure on biodiversity that warrants conservation intervention.
Highlights Table Row. Column in the multi-site comparison table on the Highlights page showing the number of at-risk species per site. Shared with the Species at Risk (Pie) KPI.
Purpose: Enable quick comparison of at-risk species counts across all monitored sites to prioritize conservation resources.
Description: The "At-risk species" column shows the numeric count of at-risk species for each site row. The column tooltip reads: "Indicates the number of at-risk species that have been identified in the analysis area." The table is filterable by LEAP Framework and Theme.
How it's calculated: The value is the raw count of species with threat category VU or higher identified within the site polygon.
Interpretation example:
If the table shows "Site A: 3, Site B: 21", Site B faces far higher biodiversity pressure and should be prioritized for conservation interventions. Values > 15 correspond to a Critical (E) grade.
| Source | Provider | Coverage | Resolution | Period |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| European Red Lists of Species | EEA (European Environment Agency) | Europe | Species-level per site polygon | 2024 |
| IUCN Red List (supplemental for EX/EW) | IUCN | Global | Species-level | 2025 |
For each study area, species are identified by performing a spatial intersection between the site polygon and the European Red Lists of Species (EEA, 2024). Species classified as Extinct (EX) or Extinct in the Wild (EW) that lack occurrence geometry in GBIF are supplemented from the IUCN Red List (2025 edition).
For each identified species, three attributes are recorded: scientific name, taxonomic category (Birds, Insects, Plants, Fish, Mammals, Reptiles, Amphibians, Fungi), and IUCN threat code. The at-risk species count includes all species with threat category in {VU, EN, CR, CR(PE), EW, EX, ER, RE} — a total of 8 at-risk categories.
The panel analysis text is generated by an AI model using the complete species list as structured input. Admin users can edit or replace the AI-generated text via the Edit button in the card header; the manually edited version is persisted in the database.
EEA — European Environment Agency (2024). European Red Lists of Species. Available at: www.eea.europa.eu
IUCN (2024). The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. Version 2024. Available at: www.iucnredlist.org
Ceballos, G., Ehrlich, P.R., Barnosky, A.D., Garcia, A., Pringle, R.M., Palmer, T.M. (2015). "Accelerated modern human-induced species losses: Entering the sixth mass extinction". Science Advances, 1(5), e1400253.