Kew views: Why does plant diversity matter?

Summary

The script highlights the alarming fact that one in five of the world's 380,000 plant species are at risk of extinction, emphasizing the importance of plant diversity for resilience in the face of environmental changes. It showcases projects like the Vegetation Atlas of Madagascar and the Harrango tree conservation in Peru, demonstrating how geographical information systems and community involvement are key to preserving biodiversity. The script also mentions the Millennium Seed Bank, which collects seeds globally to ensure future plant propagation and reintroduction to the wild, illustrating the collaborative efforts to combat plant extinction.

Takeaways

• 🌿 There are approximately 380,000 different species of green plants on Earth.
• 🍚 Over half of our caloric intake comes from just three plant species.
• 🌱 One in five plant species is currently threatened with extinction.
• 🌍 Plant diversity is crucial for the resilience of life on the planet.
• 👩‍🔬 Scientists use satellite imagery and geographic information systems to map vegetation globally.
• 🗺️ The Vegetation Atlas of Madagascar is an example of such a project, involving international collaboration.
• 🌳 Kew Gardens partners with organizations worldwide to conserve plant diversity.
• 🌴 The Harrango tree in Peru is a project that shows how conserving one species can help an entire habitat.
• 🌎 Climate change and water scarcity are causing species like the Harrango to disappear, affecting ecosystems.
• 🌡️ The Millennium Seed Bank works to conserve seeds from around the world at -20 degrees Celsius.
• 🌾 There is no technical reason why any plant species should go extinct, with global partnerships and conservation efforts.

Q & A

How many different species of green plants are there approximately?

There are approximately 380,000 different species of green plants.

What percentage of our calories do we get from just three plant species?

We get over half of our calories from just three plant species.

What does the diversity of life on the planet represent in terms of resilience?

Diversity represents resilience; the more different kinds of plants there are, the greater the chance that some will be able to adapt and survive changes.

What tools are scientists using to produce vegetation maps of the world?

Scientists are using satellite imagery and geographic information systems to produce vegetation maps.

What is the significance of the Vegetation Atlas of Madagascar project?

The Vegetation Atlas of Madagascar project is significant as it demonstrates the use of advanced techniques to map and understand plant diversity in a specific region.

Which international partners worked with Q on the Madagascar project?

Q worked with a number of different international partners, including a Malagasy partner who learned geographical information system techniques at Kew.

What is the Harrango tree and why is it important for conservation in Peru?

The Harrango tree is an important species in the south and forests of Peru. The Harrango project aims to conserve and reinstate this species, highlighting the importance of a single species in preserving an entire habitat.

How is the local community involved in the Harrango project in Peru?

The local community is actively involved in the Harrango project by helping with the collection and propagation of the species, showing the importance of local knowledge and participation in conservation efforts.

What is the role of the Millennium Seed Bank in conserving plant diversity?

The Millennium Seed Bank plays a crucial role in conserving plant diversity by collecting seed collections from all over the world and working with around 120 collaborations worldwide.

How does the Millennium Seed Bank contribute to future plant conservation efforts?

The Millennium Seed Bank contributes by conserving seeds at minus twenty degrees, ensuring that they can be germinated and the plants grown back in their wild environment when needed.

What is the current threat to the world's plants according to the script?

One in five of the world's plants is now threatened with extinction.

What does Q demonstrate in terms of plant conservation with its global partners?

Q demonstrates that there is no technical reason why any of the threatened plants should disappear forever, indicating that with the right efforts and collaborations, plant diversity can be preserved.