Scientists say that many the world's plants are danger of dying – of becoming extinct. Dr Paul Smith, from Botanic Gardens Conservation International, said one five of the world's plants is in danger extinction. The world's botanic gardens contain 100,000 species, including a third all the world's endangered plants. Botanic gardens help to protect around 40 per cent of endangered species of plants. They contain many the rarest plants. Dr Smith said: "This is the first time that we have carried a global assessment to look the wide range of plants grown, managed and conserved botanic gardens. For the first time we know what we have and, perhaps more importantly, what is missing botanic gardens."
Researcher Dr Samuel Brockington said the world's botanic gardens were the best hope saving the world's most endangered plants. He said: "Currently, an estimated one-fifth plant diversity is threat, yet there is no technical reason why any plant species should become extinct." Dr Brockington warned that if we do not protect endangered plants, people could have trouble finding food and fuel the future. He said: "If we do not conserve our plant diversity, humanity will struggle to solve the global challenges food and fuel security…and climate change." Most the plants are in danger because of humans cutting forests for farming and cities, and because pests and climate change.
