Final answer:
The statement is false; species that could become endangered in the near future are referred to as threatened or endangered, not extinct. The IUCN Red List records such species, and conservation efforts are critical to preventing further extinctions driven by human activities.
Step-by-step explanation:
The statement that species that could become endangered in the near future are called extinct species is false. Species on the brink of extinction are termed endangered if they are at great risk of extinction, not extinct. Extinct species are those that have already died out, meaning there are no surviving individuals left. Species that could become endangered in the near future are often referred to as threatened. Endangered species may become extinct if protective measures are not taken.
Species that are likely to face extinction in the future are usually rare, either due to very small geographic ranges or due to low population densities over larger areas. The IUCN Red List maintains records of such species, providing a comprehensive list of endangered and extinct species, although it is not exhaustive. Human activities, such as habitat destruction and pollution, have accelerated the rate of extinctions beyond the natural background rate, leading to a significant decrease in biodiversity. Conservation efforts like the Biodiversity Action Plan are underway worldwide to attempt to prevent the extinction of threatened and endangered species.