The world’s botanical diversity is disappearing at an alarming rate. The number of plant species that have disappeared from Earth since the 1600s now numbers in the millions. Scientists believe another 25% of the world’s plants could disappear by the end of this century if we don’t find new ways to save them. We need more people like Jan Zieger, who has been called one of the world’s top plant collectors. In his lifetime, Zieger has discovered around 2,000 new species, many of which are threatened with extinction. A few examples: a fern that grows on old olive trees; a yellow-blossomed shrub found in only three locations in Turkey; and a type of orchid that exists only in humid forests within 100 miles of one another in Brazil and Venezuela.
What is plant collecting?
Plant collecting is the practice of finding, documenting, and sometimes preserving plants in their natural habitats. While many people collect plants as a hobby, plant collectors are often academics, researchers, or botanical gardens (called herbaria). Plant collectors can be ornithologists, ecologists, entomologists, and other scientists. Biological field surveys often rely on plant collectors to bring specimens back to scientists for identification and further study. Plant collectors make up the “citizen scientists” of the botanical world. The Plant Collector
Why is it important?
People have collected plants for thousands of years. It was one of the first ways humans interacted with the natural world. As knowledge grew, so did the need for collectors to bring plants back to scientists. They are necessary to document plant growth and distribution, monitor endangered species, and provide samples for genetic testing and DNA sequencing.
Why are plants in danger?
Plants are in danger because they can’t run away from threats like animals can. Habitat loss is the biggest threat to plants today. Humans are clearing forests, draining swamps, and paving areas where plants have lived for millions of years. We have also altered the climate by burning fossil fuels, which has led to droughts, floods, extreme temperatures, and other weather events.
How to be a plant collector: Know your landscape and environment.
If you want to become a plant collector, one of the first things you should do is get to know your landscape and environment. This means you need to understand the distribution of plants in your area and what their habitat is. You can start by learning about the native plants in your neighborhood. Confused about what plants are native to your state or region? There are a number of online databases you can use to identify plants and learn more about their distribution.
How to be a plant collector: Go where the plants are and find them.
When you go out in the field to look for plants, there are a few rules of thumb to follow. First, make sure you have permission to be on the land you’re visiting. Second, always be on the lookout for snakes, spiders, and other wild animals (including your fellow humans!). And third, try to collect only healthy plants—if you see one that’s diseased or dying, leave it alone.
How to be a plant collector: Preserve specimens.
To preserve your plants, you’ll want to use a field notebook, herbarium sheet, or plant press. A field notebook is just what it sounds like—a notebook for recording your thoughts, observations, and any other information about the plants you’ve collected. A herbarium sheet is a page in a book that you can use to mount and label your specimens. And a plant press is used to flatten and dry your plants for long-term storage.
Conclusion
When you become a plant collector, you’re not just saving one plant. You’re saving a species. You’re saving a habitat. You’re saving the ecosystem it was a part of. You’re saving the animals that call that habitat home. And you’re saving the world. With each plant you save, you’re also helping researchers better understand the world around us. So if you’re interested in plant collecting, make sure you’re prepared for a lifetime of adventure and discovery.
This article is provided by https://www.theplantcollector.com/
