As the clock ticks down on preventing the extinction of vital plant and fungal species, scientists are turning to artificial intelligence and digitisation as a critical lifeline. A report from the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew highlights how these technologies are revolutionising the way researchers identify new specimens, track environmental changes, and unlock genetic data that was previously inaccessible.
The report reveals that AI is being used to rapidly monitor shifts in flowering times across the globe – sometimes by several weeks – and extract genetic information from fungal specimens as old as 180 years. This 'genomic goldmine' of data is creating unprecedented opportunities for researchers, particularly in the global south, where digitisation has made millions of specimens available online rather than confined to physical archives.
Plants and fungi form the bedrock of all life on Earth, providing essential food sources, medicines, and playing a crucial role in carbon storage and climate regulation. Despite their fundamental importance, approximately 40% of the 70,000 assessed plant species are currently at risk of extinction. An additional 330,000 species have yet to be analysed, and scientists believe around 100,000 more plant species are still awaiting formal naming.
The implications are stark – potential new medicines and sustainable crops could be vanishing before they are even discovered. The situation for fungi is particularly critical; an estimated 90% of the two million species are still unknown to science, and less than 1% of known species have been assessed for extinction risk. Professor Alexandre Antonelli, executive director of science at RBG Kew, expressed optimism, stating, "While documenting and protecting all life on Earth remain formidable challenges, digitisation and accompanying technologies make me increasingly hopeful that we'll succeed."
AI's ability to identify complex plants with microscopic distinguishing features is allowing for faster detection of new or vulnerable species. Professor Antonelli remarked that "These AI models can sometimes now identify better than specialists – that’s incredibly exciting." The digitisation of images and collection data is also fostering international collaboration, making important collections in biodiversity hotspots like Madagascar more accessible.
Landy Rajaovelona, a senior botanist at Kew Madagascar, highlighted the value of digitising 37,000 physical specimens, stating it has "unlocked a treasure of knowledge spanning centuries, offering invaluable insights into today’s biodiversity." Kew has digitised all 7.4 million of its specimens, including those collected over two centuries.