‘Revolutionizing Species Identification’: MOBOT takes ancient plants into 21st Century
Under multi-million dollar program, plant specimens will become readily available for everyone
ST. LOUIS, Mo. (First Alert 4) - When most folks think of the Missouri Botanical Garden they probably think of pretty flowers and seasonal events -- they may not think about the 8 million-plus collection of plants held for research purposes under their feet.
It’s a globally recognized and utilized collection, according to Dr. Gunter Fischer, Senior Vice President Science & Conservation Research, tells First Alert 4. And by scanning these centuries-old plant specimens the collection can become instantaneous.
“The RSI project will transform botany,” MOBOT says. “Scientists will be able to rapidly identify plant specimens and be able to instantly use that information to advance species conservation and restoration of endangered plant species. ”
Historically, any scientists or plant-enthusiasts wanting to see this unique collection would have to visit the Botanical Garden and find the plant in the physical archives. But now, once this project is complete — they can search and find these items online.
Dr. Fischer says he always dreamed of working at the Botanical Garden, even as a young boy growing up in Austria. He’s extremely excited about the Revolutionizing Species Identification project, and what it will mean for conservation.
For those helping with the project, like Emily Hughes, a data processor, it’s mind blowing to know that MOBOT has a plant sample of practically every known plant from the last 300 years. Some of the specimens were picked by Charles Darwin.
MOBOT plans to use artificial intelligence, guided by 20 new positions aimed at feeding and tracking the AI, to help bring this immense physical collection into cyberspace.
“Leveraging cutting-edge artificial intelligence (AI) technology to accelerate plant species identification, the [RSI] project is a transformative initiative to digitize the Missouri Botanical Garden’s extensive herbarium collection—work that will inform taxonomy and plant systematics, aiding restoration and conservation efforts worldwide,“ MOBOT says.
This project was funded by an anonymous $14.4 million grant—and the Garden says this will bring six million plant specimens online—“making critical data freely accessible to scientists, conservationists, and policymakers globally.”
First Alert 4’s Rheanna Wachter, Digital Producer, contributed to this report.
Avery Martinez covers water, ag & the environment for First Alert 4. He is also a Report for America corps member, as well as a member of the Mississippi River Basin Ag & Water Desk. His coverage goes from corn farms to hunting concerns, and local water rates to rancher mental health.
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