Searching for a female partner for the "loneliest" plant
The Encephalartos woodii, a rare plant from South Africa, is the last of its kind since 1895. Researchers are employing AI and drones to find a female specimen in Ngoye Forest, crucial for species survival.
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The Encephalartos woodii, a plant from South Africa, is considered the loneliest organism in the world as the only known wild specimen was discovered in 1895. All existing plants are clones of this specimen and are male, posing a threat to the species' survival due to the lack of natural reproduction. Researchers are using remote sensing technologies and artificial intelligence to search for a female E. woodii in the Ngoye Forest. Cycads, the oldest surviving plant group, face extinction due to slow growth, habitat loss, and poaching. The discovery of a female E. woodii would bring genetic diversity and hope for the species' conservation. The use of AI and drone surveys has enhanced the search efforts, covering a small portion of the forest to locate a potential female plant. This quest highlights the importance of acting swiftly to protect endangered species and preserve biodiversity on Earth.
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