See subscription information . Fragmentation and genetic erosion are gradually turning the world into small islands of impoverished land, surrounded by a sea of humanity. Most countries refuse to recognise the urgency of the problem, preferring to pursue short-term policies and focus on other priorities. Emptying the gene pool Human beings have exploited nature since the neolithic age, but it was not until the industrial revolution in the 19th century that they were able to do so on a large scale. In the last 50 years the trend has accelerated.
Biodiversity is under threat on two fronts.
It is happening all over the world, but more especially in the developing countries, home to two-thirds of the world's 270,000 plant species. In the last 400 million years one plant species is estimated to have died out naturally every 27 years. The process is now much faster. In the tropics, an average of five species is lost for good each day. Island flora are particularly endangered.