Final answer:
The Red List, maintained by the IUCN, categorizes species based on their conservation status, including Critically Endangered, to prioritize and guide conservation efforts. It provides a global assessment, supported by scientific research, to inform about species threatened with extinction.
Step-by-step explanation:
The Red List is compiled by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) and includes categories such as Extinct, Extinct in the Wild, Critically Endangered, Endangered, Vulnerable, and Near Threatened. It serves as a standardized tool for assessing the conservation status of species globally. The list is supported by scientific research with documented evidence for each species included. As of 2007, the Red List assessed over 41,000 species, revealing that 16,306 were globally threatened with a high risk of extinction in the medium-term future.
To address the student's question, the Red List is a compilation of animals categorized as Critically Endangered, among other statuses. For example, birds and mammals have been comprehensively assessed, revealing that a significant percentage of these groups are listed as critically endangered, endangered, or vulnerable on the Red List.