Losing Paradise? Endangered Plants Here and Around the World Our
Scientist and Illustrator Describe Their Work Our planet's rich
diversity of plant life is currently at risk. Ecosystems are
changing rapidly, and more than 20% of the world's flora is
threatened with extinction. In most cases, plants become
endangered due to human activities, and human efforts will be
needed to reverse this trend. Scientists are racing to gather
information on known plants and to document the estimated 50,000
plant species that have never been scientifically described.
Botanical artists work alongside them to capture plant diversity
for future generations and remind us about our own vanishing
botanical wealth. Losing Paradise? Endangered Plants Here and
Around the World, a traveling exhibition developed by the
American Society of Botanical Artists (ASBA), explores the
conservation efforts of scientists and illustrators around the
globe. The exhibition will be open to the public at the National
Museum of Natural History, First F