Over the past 250 years, twice as many plant species have become extinct than amphibians, mammals and birds combined. The first comprehensive global plant extinction report shows that nearly 600 plants have become extinct since the mid-18th century. These are 2 types of plants per year!
This is a pace that has never been seen before, according to new research.
“Plants support and provide key resources for entire ecosystems around the world. However, much of the research to quantify biodiversity loss around the world has focused on mammals and birds,”said British Ecological Society committee member Rob Salghero-Gomez.
Understanding how much, where and how plant species are disappearing is of paramount importance not only for ecologists, but for the entire human society."
Scientists have found that plant extinction rates are 500 times the baseline of 1 to 5 species per year.
Between 1753 and 2018, 571 plant species were driven to extinction. This is four times higher than previous estimates on the Endangered Species Red List, which suggests that fewer than 150 plant species have become extinct.
Extinctions are highest in biodiversity hotspots such as islands, the tropics, and species with narrow ranges such as certain shrubs and trees. Overall, the researchers have not found a clear genetic or evolutionary model of what makes one species more prone to extinction than another, making predicting ongoing Earth changes more challenging, potentially hampering future conservation efforts.
“We depend on plants directly for food, building materials and also indirectly for 'ecosystem services' such as sequestering carbon, creating oxygen and even improving human mental health while enjoying green space,” said Salghero-Gomez.
Promotional video:
The findings confirm the previously published report of the Intergovernmental Commission on Biodiversity and Ecosystems (IPBES), which highlights an unprecedented acceleration in the rate of species extinction. Today, more than 1 million species are endangered, and 135 species of animals, plants and insects become extinct every day.
Let's hope they have the seeds of these extinct plants in the Doomsday Seed Hopper..