Category

Botany

Image: Image shows a heatmap of the corpse flower when it blooms, with the central appendix heating up to about 20 degrees Fahrenheit above ambient temperature. Credit: of Eric Schaller

Secrets of the Corpse Flower Revealed

By | Botany, News, Plant Science

The corpse flower’s rare, short-lived blooms emit a pungent scent to attract pollinators, fueled by heat from its spadix. Researchers uncovered genes driving heat and odor production, linking sulfur metabolism and amino acids like methionine and putrescine to its smell. This study advances understanding of thermogenesis and pollination in plants.

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Image: Herbarium specimens and community science observations differ in terms of how they are collected and what biodiversity data they record. Credit: Nature Communications (2024). DOI: 10.1038/s41467-024-51899-1

Digitally cataloguing archived plant specimens can transform conservation efforts

By | Botany, News, Plant Science

Researchers emphasize the crucial role of herbarium collections in supporting biodiversity conservation. They advocate for increased funding to herbaria, which face financial threats, citing their effectiveness in generating high-quality, unbiased biodiversity data. While citizen science contributes, herbarium specimens provide a more accurate record of Canada’s plant diversity and distribution, aiding conservation goals.

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The Madrid Declaration

By | Blog, Botany

More than 3,000 botanists from 95 countries gathered at the XX International Botanical Congress in Madrid, held between 21-27th of July 2024, and issued ten calls for action, putting plants at the center of society’s path toward a sustainable future. They urge stronger connections between plants and people for future planetary health and resilience.

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Image credit: Amalophyllon miraculum leaf. Credit: Creative Commons Attribution License (CC BY 4.0)

A tiny new plant species reaffirms the “miraculous” survival of Western Ecuador’s ravished biodiversity

By | Botany, News

A new 5 cm-high plant species discovered in western Ecuador reaffirms the region’s surprising biodiversity. Found in a farmer’s backyard, this tiny plant, named Amalophyllon miraculum, highlights the importance of preserving small forest fragments. The discovery challenges assumptions of widespread plant extinction and underscores the critical role of local conservation efforts.

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Image credit: Matthias Zomer from Pexels

Buzzing decline: landscape is losing insect-pollinated plants

By | Botany, News

Research spanning nearly nine decades reveals a decline in insect-pollinated plant species across the Netherlands. Analyzing datasets, scientists highlight the pivotal role of these plants in biodiversity and food security, with 75% of crops reliant on insect pollination. Urgent conservation measures are proposed to mitigate this trend, emphasizing the need for ongoing monitoring and intervention.

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New satellite dataset sheds light on Earth’s plant growth

By | Botany, News

A groundbreaking satellite dataset, derived from TROPOMI’s observations, revolutionizes our understanding of Earth’s plant growth. The Comprehensive Mechanistic Light Response (CMLR) Gross Primary Production (GPP) dataset utilizes solar-induced chlorophyll fluorescence to accurately quantify global photosynthesis. This advancement holds promise for climate change research, land management policies, and environmental conservation efforts.

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