a taxon is Lower Risk when it has been evaluated, but does not satisfy the criteria for any of the categories Critically Endangered, Endangered or Vulnerable. Taxa included in the Lower Risk category can be separated into three subcategories:
 1. Conservation Dependent (cd). Taxa which are 
 the focus of a continuing taxon-specific or 
 habitat-specific conservation programme 
 targeted towards the taxon in question, the 
 cessation of which would result in the taxon 
 qualifying for one of the threatened categories 
 above within a period of five years.
 2. Near Threatened (nt). Taxa which do not qualify 
 for Conservation Dependent, but which are 
 close to qualifying for Vulnerable.
 3. Least Concern (lc). Taxa which do not qualify for
 Conservation Dependent or Near Threatened.
Alternative form for Lower risk : LR.