Searching for a Lifeline: How AI Saves the World’s Most Endangered Plant from Extinction

The University of Southampton is leading a unique research project that aims to save an ancient and endangered species from extinction. Dr. Laura Cinti, a research fellow at the university, is spearheading the project which utilizes artificial intelligence (AI) to search for a female partner for the only known male Encephalartos woodii plant in the Ngoye Forest in South Africa.

The E. woodii plant, believed to be one of the most endangered on the planet, cannot naturally reproduce as all existing members are male clones. This makes it impossible for the species to reproduce naturally and brings it close to extinction. The project aims to bring the plant back through natural reproduction by using drones and AI technology.

Dr. Cinti explains that AI is being trained to recognize plants by creating images of plants in different ecological settings to help identify potential female E. woodii. The forest has never been fully explored to determine if a female plant could exist, making this project a groundbreaking exploration of a species on the brink of extinction.

The only known male E. woodii was discovered in 1895, and since then, all propagated samples have been male clones. Less than 2% of the 10,000-acre forest area has been covered by drone imaging so far, with AI using image recognition algorithms to identify plants by their shape.

The E. woodii plant is still grown and propagated at the Royal Botanical Gardens at Kew in London, where it is known as the “world’s loneliest plant.” The hope is that through this innovative use of technology, a female partner for the male E. woodii can be found to help save this ancient species from disappearing forever.

This project highlights how cutting-edge technology can be used to solve some of the world’s most pressing environmental challenges and bring hope for endangered species like Encephalartos woodii.

In conclusion, The University of Southampton’s research project utilizing artificial intelligence (AI) to search for a female partner for an endangered species is not only groundbreaking but also shows how innovative technologies can help save some of nature’s most threatened creatures from extinction.