In an effort to protect the most vulnerable plant species, scientists at the renowned Royal Botanical Gardens (RBG) in London have harnessed the potential of artificial intelligence (AI) to create a comprehensive extinction prediction list for flowering plants. This list, generated using AI algorithms, offers valuable insights into the conservation status of all 328,565 known species of flowering plants.
The original study conducted by RBG Kew in 2023 warned that a staggering 45 percent of known flowering plants, and an alarming 77 percent of undiscovered vascular plants, were at risk of extinction due to climate change. Now, researchers have made this vast dataset accessible to the public, enabling individuals to access and analyze the extinction threat faced by various plant species. The results of these AI-generated extinction predictions have been published in the prestigious journal New Phytologist.
The team at RBG Kew employed a Bayesian Additive Regression Tree (BART) model, a type of AI model, to develop this comprehensive extinction risk assessment. They trained the model on over 53,000 plant species that had already been assessed by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN), the global organization responsible for classifying species based on their extinction risk. By utilizing this existing data, the AI model generated assessments for the remaining 275,004 species that had not yet been officially evaluated.
It is important to note that these assessments are dynamic, as the status of individual plant species can change rapidly. Some plants may improve their situation, while others may deteriorate further. As our planet continues to warm, these fluctuations will likely become more common. To ensure the accuracy of their predictions, the researchers emphasize the importance of regularly updating the baseline datasets, such as IUCN’s Red List and the World Checklist of Vascular Plants.
The implications of accurately assessing a plant’s risk of extinction are significant. Eimear Nic Lughadha, a representative of RBG Kew, highlights how being officially assessed can alter the fate of a plant, allowing it to receive prioritized conservation efforts. With these AI-generated predictions, scientists now have a valuable tool to identify and prioritize species that are likely to face extinction, but have not yet been assessed by the IUCN Red List. Additionally, the predictions include a level of confidence indicator for each species, providing transparency in the assessment process.
The extinction prediction list is not limited to scientists alone; it is also accessible to plant enthusiasts and concerned citizens through RBG Kew’s Plants of the World Online Portal. Understanding the conservation status of plants is crucial, as they offer natural mechanisms to combat climate change, such as carbon sequestration and erosion prevention. By knowing which species are facing extinction, we can better appreciate the tools we still have at our disposal and take action to protect these crucial components of our ecosystem.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
1. How did scientists at RBG Kew use AI to generate the extinction prediction list for flowering plants?
– They utilized a Bayesian Additive Regression Tree (BART) model, trained on existing data from the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) to generate assessments for the species that had not been evaluated.
2. Why is it important to update the baseline datasets that power these AI-generated predictions?
– Plant species’ status can change rapidly, and as the planet continues to warm, these fluctuations are expected to become more common. Regularly updating the datasets ensures the accuracy of the predictions.
3. How can the extinction prediction list be accessed?
– The list is available on RBG Kew’s Plants of the World Online Portal, catering to both scientists and the general public.
4. How can understanding a plant’s extinction risk aid conservation efforts?
– Knowing the risks faced by plant species allows for prioritization of conservation measures, ensuring their protection and preservation.
5. What roles do plants play in combating climate change?
– Plants offer natural solutions for challenges posed by climate change, including carbon sequestration and erosion prevention. Understanding their conservation status helps us leverage these tools effectively.
Definitions:
– Extinction: When a species no longer exists on Earth.
– Artificial Intelligence (AI): The simulation of human intelligence in machines that are programmed to think, learn, and problem-solve like a human.
– Conservation: The act of protecting and preserving ecosystems and species to prevent their decline or extinction.
– Vascular plants: Plants that have a specialized system of vessels for conducting water and nutrients, such as trees and flowering plants.
– Bayesian Additive Regression Tree (BART) model: A type of AI model that uses a statistical approach to analyze and predict outcomes by combining multiple decision trees.
– International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN): A global organization that evaluates the conservation status of species and classifies them based on their risk of extinction.
– IUCN Red List: A list maintained by IUCN that categorizes species based on their extinction risk.
– Ecosystem: A community of living organisms interacting with each other and their environment.
Suggested related links:
– Royal Botanical Gardens (RBG) Kew: The official website of RBG Kew, where the extinction prediction list can be accessed.
– International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN): The official website of IUCN, the organization responsible for evaluating the conservation status of species.
– New Phytologist: The prestigious journal where the results of the AI-generated extinction predictions were published.
– RBG Kew’s Plants of the World Online Portal: The online portal where the extinction prediction list is available for scientists and the general public.
The source of the article is from the blog macholevante.com