Plants under pressure – the drivers of threat

The results of our research show that human actions and activities pose the greatest threat to the future of plant diversity.

Our research shows that human-induced habitat loss is the main threat to plants today. Habitats with the greatest number of threatened plant species are being rapidly converted to agriculture or livestock use. Most of the threatened species identified in this study are restricted to very small areas and many are threatened by habitat destruction. 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, harvesting and the development of cities and infrastructure.

Delve deeper - Use our chart to find out more about the threats facing plant life.

Biodiversity is at risk in some forest areas in Peru. In this location, conditions are extremely dry and rivers only run for two or three days a year (photo by Oliver Whaley).

Human impact - threat to plant life 81%

Human impact threats include human induced activities that have an impact on the population of plant species in different habitats. Threats include:

residential and commercial development and tourism
commercial agriculture
wood plantations
logging and wood extraction
mining and transportation
pollution
human disturbances e.g. war and recreational activities
harvesting (overexploitation) e.g. for food and medicine
competition with invasive "alien" species

Natural events - threat to plant life 19%

Natural events include geological events and disasters that have an impact on the population of plant species in different habitats. Threats include:

intrinsic factors e.g. limited dispersal, restricted range, poor reproduction
natural disasters e.g. volcanic eruptions, earthquakes, tsunamis, avalanches and land slides.
climate change e.g. a reduction in the areas with suitable climate for plant species to grow.

See the difference! Compare the levels of threat with our chart

What plants do for us...

They give us the food and oxygen that we need to survive.
They help to regulate the climate.
They are the primary producers for all terrestrial and almost all aquatic ecosystems.

Why do plants matter anyway?

All life depends on plants. Many vital systems and services will suffer if we continue to put pressure on the precious resource provided by plants.

Plants absorb almost 20% of fossil fuel emissions. This un-noticed ecosystem service will be greatly affected by impending land use change. Rapid, large-scale extinctions of plant species therefore have many knock-on effects on the status of other groups of species, such as mammals and birds, and to man.

Deforestation of tropical forest also accounts for 20% of global carbon emissions. A moratorium on forest destruction is key to reducing biodiversity loss and will also make a significant contribution to tackling climate change.

Pressures on biodiversity will only grow in the twenty-first century, especially through population and economic growth, and the additional effects of climate change and pollution. This is why we need to take action and start saving plants at risk today.

Help Kew save plants at risk - Adopt a seed for £25 or save a species outright.