This episode is all about one of the most difficult topics in natural history - extinction. Plants set the foundation for nearly all life on Earth and yet they receive a mere fraction of the attention and effort needed to conserve them. Recent estimates indicate that 40% of the world's plant species are threatened with extinction and that is a scary statistic. One of the biggest hurdles in the fight against plant extinction is figuring out which plants are most at risk. Thanks to my guest today, we now have a much better idea of plant extinctions in North America. Joining is North Carolina Natural Heritage Program Botanist, Wes Knapp. Wes and his colleagues recently published a comprehensive review of plant extinctions in North America which helps set the stage for future conservation efforts on this continent. Join Wes and me as we sit down and grapple with this difficult subject. This podcast was produced in part by Ali, Margaret, Southside Plants, Robert, Keiko, Bryce, Brittany, Helen, Amanda, Mikey, Rhiannon, Michelle, Kate, German, Joerg, Alejandra, Cathy, Jordan, Judy, Steve, Kae, Carole, Mr. Keith Santner, Dana, Chloe, Aaron, Sara, Kenned, Vaibhav, Kendall, Christina, Brett, Jocelyn, Kathleen, Ethan, Kaylee, Runaway Goldfish, Ryan, Donica, Chris, Shamora, Alana, Laura, Alice, Sarah, Rachel, Joanna, Griff, Philip, Paul, Matthew, Clark, Bobby, Kate, Steven, Brittney, McMansion Hell, Joey, Catherine, Brandon, Hall, Vegreville Creek and Wetlands Fund, Kevin, Oliver, John, Johansson, Christina, Jared, Hannah, Katy Pye, Brandon, Gwen, Carly, Stephen, Botanical Tours, Moonwort Studios, Liba, Mohsin Kazmi Takes Pictures, doeg, Clifton, Stephanie, Benjamin, Eli, Rachael, Plant By Design, Philip, Brent, Ron, Tim, Homestead Brooklyn, Brodie, Kevin, Sophia, Mark, Rens, Bendix, Irene, Holly, Caitlin, Manuel, Jennifer, Sara, and Margie.
Read “Vascular plant extinction in the continental United States and Canada”
Learn more about the North Carolina Natural Heritage Program
Follow Wes on Twitter: @wmknapp