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.