Tech Aids Race Against Plant Extinction

The advancement of artificial intelligence and digitization is proving to be a turning point in the critical race to identify and save plant and fungi species from extinction. New technologies are enabling scientists to monitor shifts in flowering times, accelerate the identification of new specimens, and even extract vital genetic information from specimens over a century old. This digital access to millions of archived specimens is yielding significant insights, particularly for regions in the global south.

Approximately 40% of assessed plant species are currently at risk, with many more yet to be studied or even named. Fungi face an even more dire situation, with 90% of estimated species unknown to science. AI models are now capable of identifying microscopic plant features, aiding in the faster detection of new or vulnerable species. Digitizing specimen data also enhances international collaboration and access to crucial collections worldwide.

This technological push has revealed that flowering times have shifted by an average of 2.5 days per decade over the last century due to the climate crisis. These changes can disrupt delicate ecological relationships. Furthermore, historical fungal specimens are proving to be a rich source of genetic data, offering potential for new medicines and insights into disease outbreaks. While concerns about the energy consumption of AI data centers exist, the report stresses the importance of continued investment and partnerships to safeguard biodiversity.