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Plants in Peril!

One-fifth of the world’s plant species are at risk of extinction 

April 2017
By Jeanette Ferrara
De Agostini/Getty Images

Deforestation in a section of the Amazon rainforest in Brazil

When most people think about species at risk of dying out, endangered animals such as pandas, elephants, and gorillas often come to mind. But for many scientists, plants are also a big concern.

Plants around the globe are just as threatened by extinction as mammals. More than 1/5 of all plant species are endangered. And that fraction could be much greater. More than 1/3 of plants haven’t been studied well enough to determine whether or not they are at risk. 

What living things come to mind when you think about endangered species? Many people picture animals such as pandas, elephants, and gorillas. But for many scientists, plants are also a big concern.

Plants around the globe are just as threatened by extinction as mammals. More than one fifth of all plant species are endangered. And that fraction could be much greater. More than a third of plants haven’t been studied well enough to determine whether or not they are at risk.

Incredible Plants
A video about how plants adapt to different environments, including deserts, swamps, and harsh alpine climates.

How did plants end up in this position? Most threatened species are in trouble because of human activities. As forests are cleared for industries such as farming, logging, and mining, plants are destroyed. 

The plants that are most at risk around the world have a very small natural habitat. “Their whole population could be eliminated by a single event, natural or man-made,” says plant researcher Eimear Nic Lughadha. 

How did plants end up in this position? Most threatened species are in trouble because of human activities. Sometimes wilderness is cleared for to make farms and businesses. When that happens, plants are destroyed.

The plants that are most at risk around the world have a very small natural habitat. “Their whole population could die out from a single event,” says Eimear Nic Lughadha. She’s a plant researcher.

Zigmund Leszczynski/Animals Animals/Earth Scenes/National Geographic Creative

Ecologists have asked the U.S. government to list Venus flytraps as endangered, due to the plants’ dwindling habitat. 

For example, Venus flytraps live only in bogs in North and South Carolina. Their habitat is threatened. Ecologists recently asked the U.S. government to list the species as endangered.

Nic Lughadha directed a recent project to list threatened plant species around the world. But it’s not an easy task.

It is very hard “to be absolutely positive that a plant species has become extinct,” says Nic Lughadha. “Even if a species has not been seen for many years, it may be able to survive as seed buried underground,” she says.

Why should we care about endangered plants? Most life on Earth depends on plants for survival. Plants provide animals and humans shelter and food. One-third of the calories humans consume come from plants, including corn, wheat, and rice. And the calories that aren’t from plants come from animals that eat plants.

The good news is that you can make a difference. Plant the seeds of local plant species in your backyard or in a community garden. This helps protect them from extinction.

For example, Venus flytraps live only in bogs in North and South Carolina. Their habitat is threatened. Scientists recently asked the U.S. government to list the species as endangered. 

Nic Lughadha directed a recent project to make a list of threatened plant species around the world. It’s not an easy task. It is very hard “to be absolutely positive that a plant species has become extinct,” says Nic Lughadha. “Even if a species has not been seen for many years, it may be able to survive as seed buried underground,” she says.

Why should we care about endangered plants? Most life on Earth depends on plants for survival. Plants provide animals and humans shelter and food. One-third of the calories humans consume come from plants. Corn, wheat, and rice are essential in many people’s diets. And the calories that aren’t from plants come from animals that eat plants.

The good news is that you can make a difference. Plant the seeds of local plant species in your backyard or in a community garden. This helps protect them from extinction.

Adding Fractions

Add fractions to answer the questions below. Use a separate sheet of paper for questions 2 to 5.

Adding Fractions

Add fractions to answer the questions below. Use a separate sheet of paper for questions 2 to 5.

4/5 of all threatened plant species are threatened because of human activity, like logging and agriculture. Plot this fraction on the number line below.

4/5 of all threatened plant species are threatened because of human activity, like logging and agriculture. Plot this fraction on the number line below.

1/3 of all threatened plant species are threatened because of human activities relating to farming. Plot this fraction on the number line above. Is this value greater than or less than 4/5? 

1/3 of all threatened plant species are threatened because of human activities relating to farming. Plot this fraction on the number line above. Is this value greater than or less than 4/5? 

1/5 of known plant species are threatened with extinction. Draw a tape diagram for this fraction.

1/5 of known plant species are threatened with extinction. Draw a tape diagram for this fraction.

1/10 of known plant species are “near threatened.” This means they are not threatened yet, but with their declining numbers, they might be classified as threatened soon. Draw a tape diagram for this fraction. 

1/10 of known plant species are “near threatened.” This means they are not threatened yet, but with their declining numbers, they might be classified as threatened soon. Draw a tape diagram for this fraction. 

What fraction of plant species are threatened or near threatened? Write an equation to solve. Explain how the tape diagrams support your answer.

What fraction of plant species are threatened or near threatened? Write an equation to solve. Explain how the tape diagrams support your answer.

1/3 of the calories Americans consume come from only 12 species of plants. 1/2 of the calories we consume come from animal products. What fraction of our food calories come from these 12 species of plants and from animals? Write an equation and solve.

1/3 of the calories Americans consume come from only 12 species of plants. 1/2 of the calories we consume come from animal products. What fraction of our food calories come from these 12 species of plants and from animals? Write an equation and solve.

Why isn’t the solution 5/12? Explain in words and/or a model drawing.

Why isn’t the solution 5/12? Explain in words and/or a model drawing.

The Millennium Seed Bank Partnership is a plant conservation project that stores seeds. It has stored seeds for 1/10 of all known plant species. The Partnership hopes to have stored seeds for an additional 1/4 of all known plant species by 2020. What fraction of seeds from all plant species will the Partnership have gathered by 2020?

The Millennium Seed Bank Partnership is a plant conservation project that stores seeds. It has stored seeds for 1/10 of all known plant species. The Partnership hopes to have stored seeds for an additional 1/4 of all known plant species by 2020. What fraction of seeds from all plant species will the Partnership have gathered by 2020?

1/20 of all known plant species are classified as data deficient. That means there isn’t enough information on the species to tell if it is in danger or not. Another 17/60 of plant species are awaiting further study. What total fraction of plant species lack enough data to make a conservation decision? 

1/20 of all known plant species are classified as data deficient. That means there isn’t enough information on the species to tell if it is in danger or not. Another 17/60 of plant species are awaiting further study. What total fraction of plant species lack enough data to make a conservation decision? 

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