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Page 1 of 10 Because of the large number of species in Western Australia, it is a difficult task to assess the extent of the threat to particular species or plant communities. Despite the efforts of many botanists and amateur naturalists since the time of the first European settlement, there is still much that needs to be discovered about our flora. We do not know the precise number of species present in Western Australia: the figure is thought to be about 12,000 with between 1,000 and 3,000 species yet to be formally named.
Recent studies have, however, provided information, which indicates the need for conservation:
- Over 2,000 Western Australian plant species are considered threatened, rare or poorly collected.
- Many species are geographically restricted due to specific Habitat preference.
- Many species in these categories are confined to the south west of the State.
- Over 1,500 Western Australian species have been commercially exploited.
- Spread of disease, changes in land usage, drainage, and other Threatening Processes, may place the long-term survival of many species in jeopardy.
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