[SOS-PCA] RESEARCH: Cacti among world’s most threatened species

[Haidet, Margaret (Megan)]

New study by NatureServe and IUCN partners finds surprising results

Thirty-one percent of cactus species are threatened with extinction,
according to the first comprehensive, global assessment of the species
group by NatureServe, IUCN, and partners, published today in the journal
Nature Plants. This places cacti among the most threatened taxonomic groups
assessed on The IUCN Red List of Threatened SpeciesTM - more threatened
than mammals and birds.

According to the report, cacti are under increasing pressure from human
activity, with more than half of the world’s 1,480 cactus species used by
people. The illegal trade of live plants and seeds for the horticultural
industry and private collections, as well as their unsustainable harvesting
are the main threats to cacti, affecting 47% of threatened species.

The direct link to the article is
http://www.nature.com/articles/nplants2015142 and the link to NatureServe’s
press release is
http://www.natureserve.org/news-events/news/cacti-among-worlds-most-threatened-species.




Megan Haidet
Seeds of Success
National Collection Curator
Seeds of Success
202-912-7233

www.blm.gov/sos
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