There are approximately 391,000 species of plants currently known to science. We are talking about vascular plants — that is, plants equipped with a vascular system for conducting water — which in practice means all plants, with the exception of algae, mosses and liverworts. This is what emerged from a study that assessed, for the very first time, the conservation status of vascular plants across the entire world.

The report on the state of the world's plants

The report, entitled "State of the World's Plants" and published by British researchers at the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew, has thus established that there are approximately 391,000 known species of vascular plants; of these, 94 per cent — around 369,000 species — are flowering plants. The document provides baseline information on all vascular plants, including recently discovered ones, and the threats they face.

Information on plants is lacking

Kathy Willis, a researcher at the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew, highlighted the shortage of detailed information about the plant world. "I find it incredible given the importance that plants have in our lives, providing us with food, medicines, clothing, building materials and biofuels, and regulating the climate. The report therefore provides the first step towards filling this critical knowledge gap."

How the study was conducted

The researchers analysed several plant databases, including the Plant List, the International Plant Names Index and the World Checklist of Selected Plant Families, finding that there are approximately 391,000 species of vascular plants currently known to science. The databases are constantly updated, given that around two thousand new species are described every year (the majority of which are already at risk of extinction at the time of their discovery).

How plants can be known and used

Although there are almost 400,000 plant species, only 31,000 of them have at least one documented use. Plants are currently used to produce food, medicines, energy, animal feed and building materials.

The future of plants

For many species, the future would appear bleak, according to the study. Scientists argue that, by an optimistic estimate, 21 per cent of existing plant species are at risk of extinction. The most serious threats are habitat destruction caused by livestock farming, construction and agriculture — such as oil palm plantations, for example. Mangroves and tropical forests are said to be the most severely affected by these phenomena. Climate change also poses a danger, but its impact is currently considered to be limited.

The urgency of conservation

The researchers point out that at present numerous areas of the world that are home to a great variety of plants are not legally protected. There is therefore an urgent need for concrete conservation projects for these areas and their biodiversity.