By summarising and synthesising recent knowledge of a threatened species, a status assessment can also inform other management decisions, such as the implementation and assessment of recovery plans, or development approval decisions and associated conditions.
Assessing the conservation status of a plant, animal or ecosystem requires detailed knowledge of its distribution, population size and trends, and critical threats (e.g., habitat loss or fragmentation).
Endangered species assessments include synthesis and analysis of scientific information on a species' or stock's population structure, life history characteristics, abundance, and threats—particularly those caused by human activities.