In a stark warning for humanity, a forthcoming analysis warns that the loss of medicinal plants could reduce the global arsenal of medicines by as much as half. The finding comes from the State of the World report, a collaborative effort led by researchers at the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew, and published in the scientific journal Annual Environmental and Resource Review. The study highlights a looming crisis: nearly half of the world’s flowering plants may face extinction, a figure that corresponds to around 100,000 plant species.
The researchers are examining more than 100,000 plant species facing extinction, underscoring the connection between biodiversity and modern medicine. With roughly nine out of ten medicines derived from plants, there is a pressing concern that the loss of plant diversity could erase a significant portion of current and future pharmaceutical options, according to environmental expert Matilda Brown.
Alexander Antonelli, the scientific director of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew, stressed that the findings reveal how little humanity still knows about plants and fungi on Earth. He noted that knowledge of Earth’s fungi lags far behind what is known about other planetary bodies, including Mars, highlighting a critical need for broader ecological understanding.
Antonelli also expressed hope that policymakers would integrate plant and fungal conservation into global protection strategies, contributing to an international effort to safeguard 30 percent of Earth’s nature. He argued that protections should not revolve solely around animals but should also prioritize the habitats that sustain plant and fungal diversity.
Past assessments indicate that about 77 percent of yet undiscovered plant species are at risk of extinction, reinforcing the call for strong conservation action to preserve plant diversity. This diversity is foundational to modern medicine and to the health of ecosystems worldwide.
These warnings resonate strongly in North American and Canadian contexts, where researchers urge integrating plant and fungal protection into national conservation plans. The message is clear: protecting the full spectrum of biodiversity is essential for sustaining medicines, maintaining ecological balance, and supporting resilient natural systems that underpin public health.
The study also places a spotlight on the gaps in our understanding of plant and fungal life, urging investment in botanical and mycological research, field surveys, and long-term monitoring. By expanding knowledge in these areas, scientists aim to improve the precision of conservation priorities and ensure that essential medicinal resources are preserved for future generations.
In practical terms, the report calls for targeted actions that preserve diverse plant communities, protect critical habitats, and support sustainable use of medicinal plants. It emphasizes the need for international cooperation and funding to accelerate conservation measures that protect the plants and fungi that underpin countless medicines and therapeutic discoveries.
The overarching message is urgent but hopeful: with informed policies, robust research, and coordinated conservation efforts, it is possible to guard a substantial portion of plant diversity and the medicines they enable, while also strengthening the resilience of ecosystems and human health for years to come.