Denmark

1,369 threatened species · Biodiversity Intelligence Dashboard

Threatened Species

1,369

CR + EN + VU

Critically Endangered

241

Highest risk

Endangered

373

Very high risk

Vulnerable

755

High risk

Declining

6%

82 species

Category Breakdown
CR 241
EN 373
VU 755
CR: 241
EN: 373
VU: 755

Critically Endangered

24118%

Extremely high risk of extinction in the wild.

Endangered

37327%

Very high risk of extinction in the wild.

Vulnerable

75555%

High risk of extinction in the wild.

Threatened total — 1,369 species

Species by Group
🦗

insects

826

826 threatened

🕷️

arachnids

180

180 threatened

🍄

fungi

106

106 threatened

🌱

plants

92

92 threatened

🪱

other invertebrates

35

35 threatened

🐚

molluscs

32

32 threatened

🐟

fishes

31

31 threatened

🐦

birds

28

28 threatened

🦀

crustaceans

17

17 threatened

🐾

mammals

15

15 threatened

🐸

amphibians

4

4 threatened

🪸

corals

2

2 threatened

🐢

reptiles

1

1 threatened

Global Share

2.46%

of globally threatened species

Country Rank

#24

of 250 countries

Endemic Threatened

1

Found only here

Conservation Outlook

Outlook: Deteriorating

Denmark's biodiversity is characterized by temperate coastal and terrestrial ecosystems shaped by its maritime climate and extensive coastline along the North and Baltic Seas. The country's heathlands, deciduous forests, wetlands, and coastal dunes support diverse invertebrate communities. According to IUCN Red List 2025 data, all 84 assessed species in Denmark are threatened, with 100% classified as critically endangered, representing a severe biodiversity crisis concentrated among insects (71 species), arachnids (12 species), and other invertebrates (1 species).

Denmark's intensive agricultural practices, covering approximately 60% of the land area, represent the primary threat to native species through habitat fragmentation and pesticide use. Urban expansion and infrastructure development further compress remaining natural habitats. Climate change affects coastal ecosystems and alters precipitation patterns critical for wetland-dependent species.

The conversion of traditional extensive farming systems to industrial agriculture has eliminated many semi-natural habitats that historically supported diverse invertebrate populations.

The Danish Nature Agency implements habitat restoration programs, particularly for heathlands and coastal areas. EU Natura 2000 designations protect 8% of Denmark's territory. Recent initiatives focus on creating ecological corridors and reducing agricultural chemical inputs. However, the current trajectory indicates continued deterioration, with invertebrate populations showing persistent decline despite conservation efforts.

Temperate Deciduous ForestsCoastal HeathlandsBaltic Sea Coastal EcosystemsWetlands and BogsAgricultural LandscapesCoastal Dunes
Top Threats
1.Habitat fragmentation176 species
2.Agricultural intensification and pesticide use135 species
3.Agricultural intensification115 species
4.Urban development and infrastructure expansion98 species
5.Habitat loss and fragmentation88 species
6.Water pollution from agricultural runoff80 species
7.Urban and residential development78 species
8.Coastal development and urbanization63 species

Protected Areas

40 areas · 28,917 km²

How to Cite

IUCN: IUCN (2025). The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. Version 2025-1. Available at: https://www.iucnredlist.org. doi:10.2305/IUCN.UK.2025-1.RLTS

GBIF: GBIF.org (2025). GBIF Home Page. Available at: https://www.gbif.org

This page: SpeciesRadar (2026). Denmark: Biodiversity Dashboard. SpeciesRadar: Intelligence for Earth's Biodiversity. Available at: https://speciesradar.org/countries/DK

Species counts reflect IUCN Red List threatened categories (CR, EN, VU). · Full citation guide & data usage terms

Frequently asked questions

How many threatened species are in Denmark?
Denmark has 1,369 threatened species recorded on SpeciesRadar — 241 of those are Critically Endangered, facing an extremely high risk of extinction. The figures combine IUCN Red List data with national red list assessments where available.
How many Critically Endangered, Endangered, and Vulnerable species does Denmark have?
Of the 1,369 threatened species in Denmark, 241 are Critically Endangered, 373 are Endangered, and 755 are Vulnerable. Together these three IUCN Red List categories make up the "threatened" total.
What is the most endangered species in Denmark?
Among the 241 Critically Endangered species in Denmark, Megaphyllum sjaelandicum is one of the most at-risk — featured prominently on the country dashboard. The full list of Critically Endangered species is filterable on the Species tab.
What protected areas exist in Denmark?
Denmark has 40 protected areas catalogued on SpeciesRadar, sourced from the WDPA and national designations. Notable sites include North Sea Biosphere Reserve, Great Belt Marine Protected Area, Kattegat Marine Protected Area, and Little Belt Marine Protected Area, among 36 others. The full list is sortable and downloadable on the Protected Areas tab.
Which animal and plant groups are most threatened in Denmark?
The most affected groups in Denmark, by number of threatened species, are insects (826), arachnids (180), and fungi (106). The full taxonomic breakdown is shown on the country dashboard.
What are the biggest threats to wildlife in Denmark?
The leading threats to threatened species in Denmark are habitat fragmentation, agricultural intensification and pesticide use, agricultural intensification, and urban development and infrastructure expansion. Each threat is mapped to the species it affects in the country's threat breakdown.
How many threatened species are found only in Denmark?
Denmark has 1 threatened species that are endemic — found nowhere else on Earth. Because their entire global population depends on this one country, they are especially vulnerable to local habitat loss.
How many of Denmark's threatened species have declining populations?
82 of Denmark's threatened species have populations that are still declining. Reversing these trends is the central focus of the conservation work the country dashboard tracks.
How does Denmark compare to other countries for threatened species?
Denmark ranks #24 of 250 countries by number of threatened species, and accounts for roughly 2.46% of all threatened species tracked worldwide. Threat is geographically concentrated, so a high rank reflects both rich biodiversity and intense pressure on it.
Where does the data for Denmark come from, and can I download it?
SpeciesRadar draws on the IUCN Red List, the Global Biodiversity Information Facility (GBIF), the World Database on Protected Areas, and national red lists. Every table on the Denmark profile — species, national red list, and protected areas — can be downloaded as a CSV spreadsheet or a branded PDF report.