A significant portion of Australian distinctive plant species remains unassessed for their risk of extinction, posing a serious concern for biodiversity, according to recent research.
A significant portion of Australian distinctive plant species remains unassessed for their risk of extinction, posing a serious concern for biodiversity, according to recent research.
Experts are sounding alarms, pointing out that over half of Australia’s unique flora have not undergone assessments to determine their vulnerability to extinction. This revelation comes at a time when a global study indicates that climate change and other factors may endanger as much as 45% of the world’s known flowering plants.
Conservation specialists have convened in London to present an overview of plant health and evaluate the measures taken by different nations to protect their diverse plant life. The analysis reveals a disconcerting trend, especially for the estimated 100,000 plant species yet to receive formal taxonomic identification. Alarmingly, approximately 75% of these unnamed species face potential extinction.
In terms of safeguarding unique plant species found exclusively within its borders, Australia faces a critical deficiency in conservation assessments.
The research, led by Rachael Gallagher from Western Sydney University, demonstrates that only 39% of Australia’s unique plant species have undergone evaluations of their threats and conservation status. This is significantly lower than the efforts of countries like New Zealand and South Africa, which have assessed over half of their unique plant species.
Gallagher points out the gravity of the situation, stating, “Without comprehensive assessment thousands of unique Australian plant and fungi species could be at risk, and we have no way of knowing which species or where to direct conservation efforts.”
One poignant example is the waratah, New South Wales’ floral emblem, which has never been evaluated for its risk of extinction. Despite being targeted by illegal flower collectors and facing threats from climate change and altered fire patterns, this iconic plant remains in a precarious position.
Australia is also home to nearly 1,000 of the world’s 1,350 acacia, or wattle, species. However, nearly half of these species have not been subjected to threat assessments.
Professor Hugh Possingham from the University of Queensland emphasizes the need for Australia to intensify its conservation efforts, stating, “The countries that are custodians of these unique species have a responsibility to assess if they are at risk and take steps to conserve them if they are.”
The global assessment has additionally identified 32 regions where biodiversity data is severely lacking, leaving scientists in the dark about the state of biodiversity in these areas. Among these data gaps, Western Australia and Queensland are notable concerns.
Dr. Samuel Pironon, affiliated with the UN Environment Programme World Conservation Monitoring Centre, stresses the importance of understanding these knowledge gaps, stating, “Knowing where there are most species remaining unnamed and unmapped, of which many are likely to be threatened, is crucial.”
The report, “The State of the World’s Plants and Fungi 2023,” compiled by the Royal Botanic Gardens Kew with the collaboration of 200 international researchers, draws from 25 major scientific papers to offer a comprehensive assessment of global plant biodiversity.
The findings underscore the urgency of concerted efforts to safeguard the unique plant life that Australia hosts, as well as the importance of closing critical gaps in biodiversity knowledge worldwide.