Major Threats to Plant Diversity

It is estimated that there are 270,000 plant species in the world, and one in eight are threatened with extinction. Humans are the main cause of extinction and the principle threat to species at risk of extinction.

Habitat loss and degradation are the leading threats.
Introductions of alien species. Some of the worst include cats and rats, green crabs, zebra mussels, the African tulip tree and the brown tree snake. Introductions of alien species can happen deliberately or unintentionally, for example, by organisms "hitch-hiking" in containers, ships, cars or soil.
Over-exploitation. Resource extraction, hunting, and fishing for food, pets, and medicine threatens many species.
Pollution and disease
Climate change induced by humans is increasingly recognised as one of the most serious threats. Climate change has many effects, from altering migratory species patterns to causing coral bleaching.

Threats analysis courtesy IUCN

Find Out More

Forest Restoration Information Service (FRIS)
The FRIS aims to: provide an open-access internet information service to support forest restoration projects world-wide, facilitate exchange of knowledge and experience among forest restoration projects, and provide a basis for analyzing factors determining success.

Plants for a Future
Plants For A Future is a resource centre for rare and unusual plants, particularly those which have edible, medicinal or other uses. The site features a database of plants to help humanity discover and use a wider range than the twenty plants that provide the majority of our food.

The Top 50 Threatened Mediterranean Island Plants
This site and associated booklet present 50 of the most threatened plant species on Mediterranean islands. The site has detailed information in simple language and tells you whether the species is in cultivation. Many of them aren't - can your garden help? Act now - time is running out!

IUCN Red List
The IUCN Red List site includes searchable databases, image galleries, press releases and case studies of conservation successes.

Related News

IUCN Calls On Botanic Gardens To Save Mediterranean Plants

14th November 2005

Global Trees Campaign

Over 8000 tree species, 10% of the world’s total, are threatened with extinction. The Global Trees Campaign is addressing the problems with help from botanic gardens and BGCI.

Green Inheritance: Saving the Plants of the World (Anthony Huxley, 2005)

This book, with a foreword by David Attenborough, illustrates the wonder and worth of plants, their importance and potential (our "green inheritance"). It demonstrates why we must take care not to destroy our life-support system that our plant heritage provides us.

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