The Extinction Crisis You Haven’t Heard About Is Happening Right Now

Researchers find that over one-fifth of angiosperms — including trees, crops, and wildflowers — are at risk of extinction, endangering vital species for ecosystems and human communities.

A study by the Royal Botanic Gardens at Kew, the Zoological Society of London, and Boise State University provides the first global assessment of extinction risk for flowering plants. The team used the EDGE tool to evaluate 335,497 known species.

The study evaluated two key factors: threat level and genetic isolation. Extinction risk affects 21.2% of angiosperm evolutionary history, with 9,945 EDGE species classified as high priorities, representing about 3% of known flowering plants.

Researchers have found that the evolutionary history of jawed vertebrates is nearly twice as long as previously believed. The rare plants on this list exist on isolated branches of the tree of life, so their extinction would mean a substantial loss of unique evolutionary history.

The study highlighted that rankings can identify overlooked “irreplaceable and threatened species.” At the time, only about 20% of flowering plants had IUCN Red List assessments, prompting the researchers to use computer modeling to estimate risks for unassessed species.

Several EDGE-listed plants are classified as extinct in the wild, surviving only in cultivation or collections. Flowering plants are essential to life on Earth, providing food, supporting pollinators, stabilizing soil, filtering water, and forming the basis of many ecosystems.

The extinction of a distinct plant species erases millions of years of unique evolutionary history, impacting agriculture, medicine, and ecosystem resilience. This loss affects communities both ecologically and practically.

Wild plant diversity is vital for crop resilience against pests, diseases, and environmental changes. Rare native plants also connect people to their traditions. Losing these species threatens our pursuit of a healthier, more resilient future.

Ecosystems are becoming unstable and struggling to recover from environmental stress, hindering advancements in food and medicine. Conserving the top 5.9% of species based on their EDGE ranking could preserve half of the threatened evolutionary history of flowering plants.

Targeted conservation can be impactful. Kew Gardens uses the EDGE framework for its plant collections, while Boise State researchers are developing the Flora of the World platform to link threat data to wild-species records.

Access to open data could enable conservationists to respond more efficiently by using methods such as seed banking, habitat protection, botanical garden partnerships, or field surveys for species that may be disappearing without warning.

Individuals can help by supporting organizations that protect native habitats and plant conservation programs. Planting native species in yards strengthens ecosystems and supports pollinators, while advocating for land protection can ease pressure on vulnerable plants.

Hosea 4:2 By swearing, and lying, and killing, and stealing, and committing adultery, they break out, and blood toucheth blood.

Hosea 4:3 Therefore shall the land mourn, and everyone that dwelleth therein shall languish=lose or lack vitality; grow weak or feeble, with the beasts of the field, and with the fowls of heaven; yea, the fishes of the sea also shall be taken away.

Matthew 24:37 But as the days of Noah were, so shall also the coming of the Son of man be.

Matthew 24:38 For as in the days that were before the flood they were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, until the day that Noe entered into the ark,

Matthew 24:39 And knew not until the flood came, and took them all away; so shall also the coming of the Son of man be.

2 Chronicles 7:13 If I shut up heaven that there be no rain, or if I command the locusts to devour the land, or if I send diseases among my people;

2 Chronicles 7:14 If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land.

2 Chronicles 7:15 Now mine eyes shall be open, and mine ears attend unto the prayer that is made in this place

Luke 21:11 And great earthquakes shall be in divers places, and famines, and diseases; and fearful sights and great signs shall there be from heaven.

Luke 21:25 And there shall be signs in the sun, and in the moon, and in the stars; and upon the earth distress of nations, with perplexity; the sea and the waves roaring;

Luke 21:28 And when these things begin to come to pass, then look up, and lift up your heads; for your redemption draweth nigh.

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