Nearly 2,300 plant species are at risk of disappearing from flora-rich Brazil, many more than once thought, according to an academic study. The research released, carried out by 175 scientists, indicates the Brazilian government has dramatically underestimated the risk to the country's plant species caused by deforestation, fires and urbanisation. Last year Brasilia said 472 plants were at risk in a country that contains an estimated 15 per cent of the world's flora species. Jose Maria Cardoso, a conservation expert who took part in the project, said the 2,291 species identified as being in danger, were many more than the government's "conservative" estimates, as it did not take into account rare species. "Our criteria was to accept that rare plants are automatically in danger," Cardoso said.