New study reveals that over 1000 vascular plants in Nigeria may be undescribed.
Leipzig/Katsina. To date, over 1000 vascular plants in Nigeria may be undescribed, making it impossible to know whether or not these plants are endangered and in need of protection. This is one of the key results of a new study led by researchers from the German Center for Integrative Biodiversity Research (iDiv) and Leipzig University, published in Annals of Botany. In order to meet the targets of the CBD's Global Biodiversity Framework, urgent measures are required that promote local taxonomic activities.
Africa is one of the most biodiverse regions on Earth, hosting a quarter of global biodiversity. The continent is home to 8 of the world's 34 biodiversity hotspots, and of many endemic and endangered species. One of these biodiversity hotspots is the Niger Delta mangrove forest in Nigeria. Nigeria is home to over 4,700 vascular plants – and likely many more undocumented species. "Documenting the full account of plant diversity is essential for protecting threatened species and ensuring they can sustain human needs before they become extinct", says senior author Professor Muellner-Riehl from Leipzig University, who is also an iDiv Member.
A team of researchers from iDiv and Leipzig University set out to update species diversity data from Nigeria, thus supporting plant-species-related indicators in the post-2020 Global Biodiversity Framework (GBF) of the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD). This framework calls for urgent action to recover biodiversity by 2030 for the benefit of both the planet and people, and a key part of the Kunming–Montreal GBF is the goal of a tenfold reduction of the rate of species extinction and risk by 2050. Many international organizations, including the International Union for the Conservation of Nature (IUCN), have called for speeding up species description to better understand and protect biodiversity.
