'On Borrowed Time': Human Activity Puts One in Five Plant Species at Risk of Extinction

[JEB]

http://www.commondreams.org/news/2016/05/10/borrowed-time-human-activity-puts-one-five-plant-species-risk-extinction

Habitat loss from agriculture and deforestation is a leading threat to world's plants
by
Deirdre Fulton, staff writer


snip>

Culling from three previously-existing databases, the botanists estimate that—excluding algae, mosses, liverworts, and hornworts—there are 390,900 plant species worldwide, of which approximately 369,400 are flowering and about 31,000 have a documented use for medicines, food, and materials.

And they find that fully one in five—21 percent—is at risk of extinction due to threats associated with climate change, land-use change, invasive plants, and diseases.

As the Guardian reports, "the biggest factors threatening plant species with extinction are the destruction of habitats for farming (31%)—such as palm oil production and cattle ranching—deforestation for timber (21%), and construction of buildings and infrastructure (13%)."

<snip>

"Given how absolutely fundamental plants are for human well-being, for food, fuel, climate regulation, it's pretty important we know what's going on," said Kathy Willis, director of science at the RBG. "Unless we look at this information—the knowledge gaps—and then do something about it, we are in a very perilous situation, if we ignore the thing that underpins all our human well-being.

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Well worth a thoughtful read and following the links in the article. We are throwing ourselves out of the Garden of Eden.

http://www.commondreams.org/news/2016/05/10/borrowed-time-human-activity-puts-one-five-plant-species-risk-extinction

[FLPanhandle]

1. Too many humans on the planet

It's not going to get better. Soon we will strain the seas for even the smallest morsel, plow the last of the forests, and eat anything that moves.

This is a symptom of massive overpopulation.

[JEB]

2. We used to discuss this, but ignoring it

has not made it go away.
http://www.nytimes.com/2015/06/01/us/the-unrealized-horrors-of-population-explosion.html?_r=0

[FLPanhandle]

8. There is a backlash here whenever over population is discussed.

Some want to deny it.

Some get angry. I even had someone post "why not start with killing yourself" when the topic came up.

I've learned discussing Overpopulation for DU is akin to discussing climate change to a Right-Winger. Denial, emotions, no willingness to admit there is a problem, dismissal of science and common sense.

Children should be limited. No more than one per woman. Big rewards for women who don't have children, maybe even penalties for parents.

[The2ndWheel]

11. Humans don't like limits

Well, we like the ones we like, but not the ones we don't, which can be different from person to person. As with anything, it's all subjective.

And what governing body would penalize women for having children? Society as we know it, as we want it, is always in need of more people. More young people especially.

Speaking of our unwillingness top admit there is a problem, in what objective way is overpopulation, or even climate change in general, an actual problem? Not in a humans might die sense, or anything like that. Humans dying isn't an objective problem. Neither are polar bears, or sea life. I would say that's why our solutions are never quite enough for the problems we think exist.

[The2ndWheel]

9. And massive overpopulation is a symptom of...

our success at keeping more people alive. Going by that graph, that success is pretty much the Enlightenment's fault. Although if you want to get closer to the root of things, it's the harnessing of fire, tool use, and maybe even walking upright.

[Tsiyu]

3. Lawns and ornamentals don't feed wildlife

like native plants.

My property used to be acres of briars, oaks, blueberries and hollies. Now I have several native beds with medicinals and endangered plants I've rescued before developers plowed them. I also have plants I've bought, propagated or found on my own land.

One of the families who has asked to buy the place will just level the whole thing and park cars everywhere, so I know I will find anyone but them to buy it. Not bad people, they are just typical Americans who don't really give the environment much of a care because the rapture is coming or whatever.

I've been moving the more rare or special plants to a place on the North Shore of Chattanooga where someone I know is putting in terraced beds of native plants. They get all excited when I bring jack-in-the-pulpit and pipsissewa and ferns and bloodroot and these babies:



Helping them establish their gardens in Chat-town helps me not feel so bad about leaving all delicate plants to possibly only be crushed.

[JEB]

5. Not smart enough to post pictures, but thought you might enjoy this.

http://www.npsoregon.org/

[Tsiyu]

7. Thanks JEB

I am going to have to learn all the west coast flowers now. It will be fun.

[hedda_foil]

10. Here ya go.

[JEB]

12. Thanks.

[Jeffersons Ghost]

4. K&R, plants produce oxygen. Animals produce carbon monoxide

Oregon is perhaps the least developed state in the USA. After ultra-wealthy conservatives (aka 1%ers) destroy the environment, what do they plan to breathe? Climate Change is creating an unpredictable Butterfly Effect, which is accelerating faster than anyone is willing to forecast.

[ffr]

6. As our population explodes, the world just keeps getting better & better

We are the root of all that is good.