A monumental scientific effort to document our profound relationship with the plant kingdom and tackle global challenges from climate change to food security.
Imagine a single resource that catalogs every plant that has ever fed a family, cured an illness, built a home, or fueled a fire. This is not a fantasy from a botanical wonderland but the very real World Checklist of Useful Plant Species (WCUPS), a monumental scientific effort to document our profound relationship with the plant kingdom.
Documenting plant species known to benefit humanity across multiple categories of use.
Drawing upon a vast network of global knowledge from scientific institutions worldwide.
Supporting conservation, sustainable development, and climate change mitigation.
The World Checklist of Useful Plant Species is a comprehensive database that systematically documents plant species known to benefit humanity. It represents a specialized extension of broader botanical cataloging efforts like the World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP), which alone contains over 996,093 plant names at the species level 2 .
This painstaking process ensures that the checklist remains more than just a list—it's a global consensus view of our botanical heritage and its human applications.
Behind the scenes, botanists and data specialists employ meticulous methodologies to build and maintain these living resources:
Each plant name is systematically mapped to a taxon concept, with the correct name identified for each accepted species.
Family checklists undergo review by taxonomists with specialized knowledge worldwide.
The database is edited daily and updated weekly. In 2019 alone, approximately 500,000 individual edits were made 2 .
Plant names in WCVP
Edits in 2019
Database updates
Expert network
In 2023, scientists demonstrated the power of the World Checklist of Useful Plant Species in a groundbreaking study focused on Colombia, one of the world's most botanically rich nations 3 .
Researchers combined the checklist with 1,045,889 occurrence records for 5,400 native useful species to identify priority conservation sites 3 .
The study identified 980 sites meeting Important Plant Areas criteria, yet only 19.8% fell within existing protected zones 3 .
| Conservation Parameter | Value | Significance |
|---|---|---|
| Total Identified Important Plant Areas | 980 sites | Demonstrates widespread distribution of useful plants |
| Areas Currently Protected | 19.8% | Reveals significant conservation gaps |
| Top Priority Sites Identified | 46 sites | Enables targeted conservation action |
| Bioregions Represented in Top 10 Sites | 6 out of 13 | Shows ecological diversity of priority sites |
| Land Area of Top 10 Sites | 0.27% of Colombian territory | Highlights efficiency of focused conservation |
Data derived from Colombian Important Plant Areas study 3
Another transformative application of the checklist emerged through the development of the GlobalUsefulNativeTrees (GlobUNT) database by World Agroforestry .
useful tree species documented
This represents roughly a quarter of all known tree species worldwide, providing an unprecedented tool for sustainable landscape restoration .
GlobUNT directly supports what scientists call the 'golden rules for reforestation'—principles that emphasize planting native tree mixtures to maximize benefits for both local livelihoods and biodiversity .
Data sourced from GlobalUsefulNativeTrees database
Behind these groundbreaking applications lies a sophisticated array of botanical tools and resources that enable researchers to document, classify, and utilize useful plants effectively.
| Resource | Function | Application in Useful Plant Research |
|---|---|---|
| World Checklist of Useful Plant Species (WCUPS) | Foundation database documenting species utility | Provides core data on human uses of plants across multiple categories 1 |
| GlobalUsefulNativeTrees (GlobUNT) | Database specializing in useful trees | Supports selection of appropriate native trees for reforestation and agroforestry |
| Important Plant Areas (IPA) Methodology | Framework for identifying key botanical sites | Enables prioritization of conservation areas based on useful plant concentrations 3 |
| International Plant Names Index (IPNI) | Authoritative source of plant nomenclature | Ensures accurate species identification and naming 2 |
| GlobalTreeSearch | Comprehensive database of tree distributions | Provides geographic data for understanding species ranges |
| Geographic Information Systems (GIS) | Spatial analysis technology | Maps distributions and identifies conservation priorities 3 |
The power of the WCUPS lies in its integration with other global databases, creating a comprehensive ecosystem of botanical knowledge that supports research, conservation, and sustainable development worldwide.
The World Checklist of Useful Plant Species represents far more than an academic exercise—it is a vital blueprint for a sustainable future.
Engaging local resource users who depend on these plants is crucial for successful conservation 3 .
Learning to utilize natural resources without depleting them for future generations.
Inspiring a new generation of scientists, conservationists, and policymakers.
The work continues, with new species documented, new uses discovered, and new applications developed—each addition strengthening the invisible thread that connects us all to the vibrant, essential world of plants.