Leipzig researchers compile world’s largest inventory of known plant species. It contains 1,315,562 names of vascular plants, thus extending the number of recognised plant species and subspecies by some 70,000 – equivalent to about 20%.

We hear much about the worsening status of species, and in particular, that increasing numbers of species face extinction. Indeed, the landmark Global Assessment from the Intergovernmental Platform on Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services reported that 1 million species may be at risk of extinction.