Over One-Third of Species and Ecosystems in the United States are at Risk of Disappearing, a New Report by NatureServe Finds
During a time when species are going extinct faster than any period in human history, the survival of species and persistence of healthy ecosystems requires science-based decisions. A new analysis by NatureServe addresses five essential questions about biodiversity–the variety of life on Earth–that need to be answered if we are going to effectively conserve nature. In the first report of its kind, Biodiversity in Focus: United States Edition reveals an alarming conclusion: 34% of plants and 40% of animals are at risk of extinction, and 41% of ecosystems are at risk of range-wide collapse. The analyses presented in the report inform how to effectively and efficiently use our financial resources to make the best conservation decisions.
Read the full report below, or click the button below to view an interactive version of the report. Plus, check out this Reuter's Exclusive: Huge chunk of plants, animals in U.S. at risk of extinction.
Data in the Report:
- Conservation Status of Plants
- Conservation Status of Animals
- Conservation Status of Ecosystems
- Protection Status of Imperiled Plants and Animals
- Protection Status of At-risk Terrestrial Ecosystems
- Threats to Imperiled Species
- Impact of Land Conversion on Ecosystems
- Geography of Species Diversity and Imperilment
- Geography of Ecosystem Diversity and Imperilment
Links in the Report:
- NatureServe Explorer
- NatureServe Explorer | About the Data: Conservation Status Categories
- NatureServe | Conservation Status Assessment
- Building the United States National Vegetation Classification
- U.S. Geologic Survey | Protected Areas (PAD-US)
- A Mesofilter Conservation Strategy to Complement Fine and Coarse Filters
- Increasing Taxonomic Diversity and Spatial Resolution Clarifies Opportunities for Protecting U.S. Imperiled Species
- Long-term Loss in Extent and Current Protection of Terrestrial Ecosystem Diversity in the Temperate and Tropical Americas
- LANDFIRE
Citation:
NatureServe. 2023. Biodiversity in Focus: United States Edition.
NatureServe: Arlington, VA.