What term is used to describe a species that could become endangered in the near future?

The term that describes a species that could become endangered in the near future is "threatened species." This classification is used in conservation biology to identify species at risk. A threatened species currently has sufficient population numbers to avoid immediate extinction, but it faces threats that could lead to a decline in its numbers or habitat, making it susceptible to becoming endangered if those threats are not addressed.

For context, a vulnerable species may be at risk but not to the extent of being classified as threatened, while an endangered species is one that is currently facing a very high risk of extinction in the wild. An extinct species is one that no longer exists at all. Understanding these classifications helps prioritize conservation efforts and implement necessary measures to protect species at various levels of risk.