Which term describes a species with low risk of extinction and a broad distribution?

• A. Least concern
• B. Endangered
• C. Vulnerable
• D. Near threatened

Answer: (A)

Extinction risk is assessed by looking at population size and whether it’s increasing or declining, how widespread the species is, and what threats it faces. If a species is found over a wide area and has a large, stable population with no major threats driving rapid decline, it fits the lowest risk category. This label describes organisms that are widespread and abundant and are not currently at significant risk of extinction.

That’s why this option is the best choice: it captures both the low risk and the broad distribution. The other terms describe increasing levels of threat: endangered means a very high risk of extinction in the wild, vulnerable indicates a high risk, and near threatened means it’s close to meeting the criteria for being threatened but isn’t there yet.