Fifth of world's plants under threat of extinction, according to UK report
The first ever global assessment on the world's plants is the first step in filling critical knowledge gap, say researchers
Around one fifth of our planet's plants are threatened with extinction as a result of threats relating to climate change, invasive species and land use change, according to a new report from the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew.
The report, called State of the World's Plants, took more than a year to produce and benefits from the input of over 80 scientists. It says that there are an estimated 391,000 vascular plants "known to science", with 369,000 of these flowering plants.
"This is the first ever global assessment on the state of the world's plants…I find this remarkable given the importance of plants to all of our lives– from food, medicines, clothing, building materials and biofuels, to climate regulation," says Kathy Willis, director of science at the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew.
"This report therefore provides the first step in filling this critical knowledge gap," Willis added.
Almost four per cent of species were threatened by "climate change and severe weather", with agriculture threatening 31 percent of species. Plants were being directly impacted by climate change, including changes in flowering times, the report said.