Dr. Laura Cinti and her team at the University of Southampton are on a mission to find a female partner for the critically endangered Encephalartos woodii plant, known as the world’s loneliest. This ancient species, which predates the dinosaurs, is believed to be one of the most endangered organisms on the planet. All existing members of the species are male clones and cannot naturally reproduce.
The research project involves using drones and artificial intelligence to search for a female E. woodii in the Ngoye Forest where the only known E. woodii was discovered in 1895. Through drone imaging and AI analysis, the team is working to cover the 10,000-acre area of the forest to identify any potential female E. woodii. An image recognition algorithm is being used to recognize plants by their shape, with less than 2% of the area being covered so far.
The project aims to bring the E. woodii back from the brink of extinction through natural reproduction. The plant is currently grown and propagated at the Royal Botanical Gardens in London, where it is dubbed the “world’s loneliest plant”. The forest has never been fully explored to determine if a female plant exists, making this project crucial for the survival of the species.
Dr. Cinti’s team believes that finding a female partner for E. woodii could have significant implications for botany and conservation efforts worldwide.
“If we can find a female partner for this ancient species, it would be a major breakthrough in botany and conservation,” said Dr. Cinti.
“The world’s loneliest plant has captivated people for years, and we hope that our research will help bring it back from danger.”
