The integration of AI and digitisation is transforming the efforts to conserve plant species at risk of extinction. A recent report from the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew, highlights how these technologies can rapidly identify new specimens and track changes in flowering times, which have shifted significantly due to climate change. This advancement is crucial as nearly 40% of assessed plant species face extinction, and many potential new medicines and sustainable crops may disappear before they are even discovered.
AI’s ability to identify challenging plant species, such as sedges and peat mosses, is particularly promising. These models can outperform human specialists, allowing for quicker identification of vulnerable species. Furthermore, the digitisation of over 7.4 million specimens, including those collected by Charles Darwin, has made invaluable data accessible online, enhancing international collaboration and research.
The report also reveals alarming trends in flowering patterns, with an average shift of 2.5 days per decade, disrupting ecological relationships. This shift poses risks to pollinators and other species reliant on specific flowering times. Additionally, AI is unlocking genetic information from historical fungal specimens, which could lead to new medical breakthroughs and insights into disease outbreaks.
While the potential of AI in conservation is significant, concerns about the environmental impact of data centres and the need for equitable access to technology remain. The report calls for partnerships between tech companies and environmental organisations to ensure that these advancements benefit global biodiversity efforts.
Source: The Guardian
