Animal and Plant Extinctions Are Increasing Around the World
The dodo is probably the most famous extinction in history. Sadly, hundreds of other species have followed the dodo into extinction - all due to the effects of human activity such as over-hunting, habitat destruction, and introduced invasive species.
Efforts to protect threatened animals attract widespread media attention today but few people are aware that many species of plants are also threatened with extinction. This is a serious yet seemingly overlooked crisis judging by the scarcity of media coverage. Plants might not have the same charismatic appeal to people as do endangered pandas or lemurs, but they are incredibly important to every aspect of our lives.
Scientists estimate that 25% or more of all known plants living today face extinction in the wild within 20 years. It's likely that the actual figure is much higher than 25%. Left unchecked, this scenario has potentially catastrophic consequences for animals and humans alike since plants are the basis for sustaining all life.
Tom Parker is currently working on a book about plant extinctions and the increasingly important research and conservation work conducted by botanic gardens to address this problem. Botanic gardens around the world grow thousands of plants threatened with extinction and are rapidly becoming essential sanctuaries for plant conservation. As many of these plants become extinct in the wild, the living collections of botanic gardens, along with seed banks, will become the only available resource for species and habitat restoration.
The dodo is probably the most famous extinction in history. Sadly, hundreds of other species have followed the dodo into extinction - all due to the effects of human activity such as over-hunting, habitat destruction, and introduced invasive species.
Efforts to protect threatened animals attract widespread media attention today but few people are aware that many species of plants are also threatened with extinction. This is a serious yet seemingly overlooked crisis judging by the scarcity of media coverage. Plants might not have the same charismatic appeal to people as do endangered pandas or lemurs, but they are incredibly important to every aspect of our lives.
Scientists estimate that 25% or more of all known plants living today face extinction in the wild within 20 years. It's likely that the actual figure is much higher than 25%. Left unchecked, this scenario has potentially catastrophic consequences for animals and humans alike since plants are the basis for sustaining all life.
Tom Parker is currently working on a book about plant extinctions and the increasingly important research and conservation work conducted by botanic gardens to address this problem. Botanic gardens around the world grow thousands of plants threatened with extinction and are rapidly becoming essential sanctuaries for plant conservation. As many of these plants become extinct in the wild, the living collections of botanic gardens, along with seed banks, will become the only available resource for species and habitat restoration.