AI and Digitization Empower Botanists in Fight Against Plant Extinction
Artificial intelligence and digitization are emerging as crucial tools in the global effort to identify and preserve vital plant species, according to a major report from Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew. These technologies are enabling scientists to track shifts in flowering times globally, rapidly identify new specimens, and extract genetic data from ancient fungus samples. The advancements are seen as a potential turning point in the "race against extinction," opening a "genomic goldmine" of information and providing new insights through online access to millions of specimens, particularly benefiting research in the global south.
A new report from Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew, indicates that the rise of artificial intelligence (AI) and digitization could mark a significant turning point in the urgent effort to save vital plants from extinction. Botanists are utilizing these advanced technologies to identify and preserve species before they vanish.
New technological capabilities are allowing scientists to track how flowering times have shifted by weeks across the globe. This enables a more precise understanding of environmental changes and their impact on plant life. Additionally, the rapid identification of new specimens is being accelerated, contributing to a more comprehensive inventory of global flora.
The report highlights the ability to extract crucial genetic data from historical samples, including fungus specimens as old as 180 years. This process is described as potentially unlocking a "genomic goldmine," offering unprecedented insights into plant evolution and biodiversity.
Furthermore, the digitization and online accessibility of millions of plant specimens, previously confined to physical archives, are generating new research insights. This accessibility is proving particularly beneficial for scientific endeavors and discoveries originating from the global south.
According to The Guardian Tech, these technological advancements are viewed as essential in the ongoing "race against extinction" for vital plant species.
