Plants fight extinction daily, and a recent study found 29 percent of seed varieties in the United States are threatened, according to the Associated Press.

More than 80 percent of seeds sold a century ago are no longer available, and 30,000 plant species worldwide are near extinction.

In Ohio, there were 642 rare plant species in 1998, and Athens County had 28 species either extinct or potentially threatened in 1996, according to the Ohio Division of Natural Areas and Preserves.

Compared to other counties in Ohio, Athens does not have many rare plants. In 1996, Lucas County had the most with 165.

"There are about 10 varieties of commercial grain crops in the United States and other countries," said Mary Trivett, Ohio University environmental and plant biology technical assistant.

The most common problem leading to crop extinction is insects, she said. Insects have the ability to sweep through crops and destroy everything.

Trivett said another problem is fungal pathogens and extreme weather conditions.

While rare plants are more likely to become extinct, the study found common crops also are on the decline.

Less than 20 percent of vegetable seed varieties listed in a 1904 U.S. national inventory are still sold. Because of heavy commercial demand in various regions, wild plants used for medicinal and other purposes are in depletion.

"The primary method of saving plant species is conservation of the area where the plant inhabits," said Harvey Ballard, Jr., OU environmental and plant biology associate professor.

The last resort, he said, is to reintroduce the species if there is nothing left in the wild. And, if there is no more of the habitat left, purchased lands are being used as preserves.

Another option is to utilize land in areas that need renovation and are not in good condition.

"Large degraded areas can be used after the area is managed for the few rare species left," he said. "Also, legislation at the federal and state levels are trying to protect plants."

The United States currently has 4,669 seed varieties threatened, Australia has 2,245 species and South Africa has 2,215 species, according to the report.