An international research team, guided by scientists at the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew, in the United Kingdom, has charted 32 global gaps where data on the plant species living in those regions remain unavailable. The study, published in the scientific journal Annual Review of Environment and Resources, highlights these missing data domains as a critical obstacle to understanding plant diversity and guiding conservation actions.
The findings break the gaps down by region, revealing 14 flora diversity gaps in tropical Asia, nine in South America, six in East Asia, two in Africa, and one in North America. Notably, Colombia, New Guinea, and Southern China emerge as hotspots with the largest cumulative data deficits for power plants located there. This emphasis on data absence helps researchers identify where knowledge is weakest and where targeted surveys could yield the most valuable discoveries for biodiversity and ecosystem management.
New Guinea stands out among the regions of concern. Its landscapes harbor an extraordinary variety of plant life, ranging from towering forest giants to understory specialists and many endemic forms found nowhere else. Yet this botanical richness faces threats from ongoing resource extraction and the conversion of wild habitats into agricultural lands. The resultant habitat loss and fragmentation could imperil numerous species before their ecological roles are even understood, underscoring the urgency of filling the data gaps that conceal the true extent of diversity in this pivotal region.
Experts emphasize that prioritizing data collection is essential. By mapping where unknown species are likely to occur and which populations are most at risk, researchers can narrow the field to the most promising areas for field surveys, specimen collection, and long-term monitoring. Such a strategy not only clarifies which species are already endangered but also helps anticipate those at imminent risk, enabling proactive conservation planning and resource allocation. The effort integrates fieldwork with laboratory analyses, herbarium records, and community-based knowledge to build a more complete picture of global plant diversity.
The study also delivers a sobering reminder about extinction risk. Previous assessments suggest a substantial share of yet undiscovered plant species may be facing significant threats, with a large proportion believed to be at risk of extinction before they are ever documented. This reality reinforces the need for rapid, coordinated action to document, protect, and restore plant communities in vulnerable regions. By filling the data gaps, scientists can better estimate species richness, endemism, and the evolutionary value of various plant lineages, all of which inform conservation priorities, climate resilience planning, and sustainable land-use policies across North America and beyond. Researchers advocate for integrating new field surveys with citizen science, remote sensing, and capacity-building in local institutions to sustain ongoing biodiversity assessments and ecosystem monitoring. Source: ARER.