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Table 9

Distribution of higher plants (including ferns, cycads, conifers and broad leaved species) by region and sub-region 1


Regions Total number of species

Latin America 85 000
Africa 45 000 - 40 000
North Africa 10 000
Tropical Africa 21 000
Southern Africa 21 000
Tropical & subtropical Asia 50 000
India 15 000
Insular Asia 30 000
China 30 000
Australia 15 000
Mediterranean basin 25 000
North America 17 000
Europe 12 500

WORLD 270 000

Source: Global Biodiversity - WCMC (1992)

1 As subregions may have common species, the numbers cannot be added to make regional totals.


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