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One fifth of plant species under threat

29-Sep-2010

Related topics: Science & Nutrition

A new study has warned that around one fifth of the world’s estimated 380,000 plant species are currently under threat of extinction – a worrying finding for biodiversity and for the future of the food supply.

The global analysis of extinction risk for the world's plants, conducted by Kew together with the Natural History Museum, London and the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN).

Called Sampled Red List Index for Plants, the study is a major baseline for plant conservation and is said to be the the first time that the true extent of the threat to plants is known.