Habitat Loss

The extent of Itigi thicket (yellow) at Lake Mwera, Zambia, in 1984

and in 1999. (Photo: Justin Moat)

Habitat loss and degradation is the greatest current threat to species, affecting 91% of all threatened plant species described in IUCN Red Lists. This threat is not going away. The Millennium Ecosystem assesment predicts that 10-20% of current grasslands and forests will be converted to other uses between now and 2050. This is mainly due to the expansion of agriculture and secondly, to the expansion of cities and infrastructure. This is expected to cause the extinction of at least 10% of plant species. The actual number will be higher due to other stresses such as climate change and pollution.