How many species of flowering plants are there? |
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| Authors: | Lucas N Joppa David L Roberts Stuart L Pimm |
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| Institution: | 1.Microsoft Research, 7 J J Thomson Avenue, Cambridge CB3 0FB, UK;2.Durrell Institute of Conservation and Ecology, School of Anthropology and Conservation, University of Kent, Marlowe Building, Canterbury, Kent CT2 7NR, UK;3.Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew, Richmond, Surrey TW9 3AB, UK;4.Nicholas School of the Environment, Duke University, Box 90328, Durham, NC 27708, USA |
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| Abstract: | We estimate the probable number of flowering plants. First, we apply a model that explicitly incorporates taxonomic effort over time to estimate the number of as-yet-unknown species. Second, we ask taxonomic experts their opinions on how many species are likely to be missing, on a family-by-family basis. The results are broadly comparable. We show that the current number of species should grow by between 10 and 20 per cent. There are, however, interesting discrepancies between expert and model estimates for some families, suggesting that our model does not always completely capture patterns of taxonomic activity. The as-yet-unknown species are probably similar to those taxonomists have described recently—overwhelmingly rare and local, and disproportionately in biodiversity hotspots, where there are high levels of habitat destruction. |
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| Keywords: | angiosperms biodiversity hotspots taxonomic effort threatened species total number of species unknown species |
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