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The Loneliest Plant in the World
Paleontologist Richard Fortey once described Encephalartos woodii (E. woodii) as the most solitary organism on Earth. This South African plant, part of the cycad family, stands as a resilient survivor that has outlasted dinosaurs and multiple mass extinctions. Today, it is one of the most threatened species globally.
In 1895, botanist John Medley Wood discovered the only known wild E. Woodii in the Ngoye Forest in South Africa. Despite extensive searches, no other specimens were found. In 1916, the Forestry Department removed the last stem from the wild to protect it in Pretoria, South Africa, resulting in the plant’s extinction in the wild. All current E. woodii plants are clones from the original specimen, all male, facing a dire lack of genetic diversity for natural reproduction.
Research to Save a Species
Inspired by the plight of the lonely E. woodii, our team is utilizing remote sensing technologies and artificial intelligence to search for a female plant in the Ngoye Forest. This innovative approach aims to find a potential mate for the species and revitalize its genetic diversity.
The Evolutionary Journey of Cycads
Cycads, often called “living fossils,” have a history dating back 300 million years to the Carboniferous period. These gymnosperms reproduce using cones, with male and female specimens distinguished by the shape of their cones. Despite their ancient lineage, cycads face extinction threats due to slow growth, habitat loss, and illegal trade.
The E. woodii, highly valued in botanical collections, is protected in botanical gardens to prevent poaching. Finding a female E. woodii would be a monumental conservation breakthrough, allowing for sexual reproduction and genetic diversity to secure the species’ future.
AI Technology in Conservation
Our use of drones and AI technology in the Ngoye Forest aims to locate a female E. woodii efficiently. By training AI models with synthetic images, we enhance the software’s ability to recognize cycads and potentially find a female specimen. This approach represents a beacon of hope for endangered species conservation efforts.
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