La scomparsa delle piante potrebbe costare all'umanità la medicina e il cibo del futuro

A new study has identified nearly 10,000 plant species that are both evolutionarily unique and critically endangered, raising concerns over the potential loss of future medicines and food sources. The research, led by scientists at the Royal Botanic Gardens in Kew, England, marks the first time the EDGE method, short for Evolutionarily Distinct and Globally Endangered, has been applied to flowering plants. This approach prioritizes species based on their evolutionary distinctiveness and risk of extinction, offering a more nuanced understanding of conservation priorities than traditional methods that focus solely on numbers of threatened species. The analysis covered 335,497 known flowering plant species, revealing that 21.2 percent of their total evolutionary history is under threat. Researchers pinpointed 9,945 species deemed both highly unique and at high risk of extinction. These include around three percent of all known flowering plants, many of which are irreplaceable due to their distinct evolutionary lineage. According to lead researcher Dr. Felix Forest, these findings help identify overlooked species whose protection could preserve benefits they provide to humanity and future generations. Among the most notable species listed are well-known plants such as Vanilla planifolia, the orchid used to produce natural vanilla, Nymphaea thermarum, the world's smallest water lily, and Amorphophallus titanum, commonly known as the "corpse flower" for its massive bloom and odor resembling rotting meat. However, the majority of the list includes lesser-known species, such as Medusagyne oppositifolia, a tree found exclusively on the Seychelles, and Hondurodendron urceolatum, the sole living representative of its genus. Scientists warn that the disappearance of such species represents more than just a loss of biodiversity. Dr. Matilda Brown from Kew emphasized that the benefits these plants offer society are equally unique and irreplaceable. She noted that losing a branch of the tree of life could mean losing potential future cancer treatments or antibiotics, with no possibility of rediscovery. Similarly, biologist Rikki Gumbs from the Zoological Society in London stressed that plants are not merely backdrops to nature. He pointed out that flowers and forests form the foundation of life on Earth, producing oxygen humans breathe and food people eat. Researchers argue that the findings should guide governments and conservation organizations in directing resources toward species whose preservation would yield the greatest benefit for biodiversity. They caution that the situation is more severe than currently perceived, estimating that over two-fifths of all plant species are already at risk of extinction. Additionally, 75 percent of undiscovered plant species may also be vulnerable. The study highlights the urgent need for a new generation of monitoring and conservation programs aimed at protecting these unique species, which have largely remained outside the focus of current conservation efforts. Scientists urge immediate action to prevent further losses and ensure the survival of these critical components of Earth’s ecosystems.