An international team of scientists from Indonesia and the Philippines found that more than half (60%) of Rafflesia flower species are at risk of extinction due to loss of natural habitat. To work published In the scientific journal Plants, People, Planet (PPP).
Rafflesia is a parasitic plant native to Southeast Asia. It is known for its large flowers, which are among the largest in the world. The diameter of one flower can exceed one meter, and its weight reaches 10 kg. Rafflesia emits a strong smell of rotten meat that attracts insects.
According to biologists, due to environmental threats, some Rafflesia species may become extinct before scientists discover them. Plants have been proven to be very sensitive to the loss of natural areas due to human activities.
“We urgently need a collaborative, cross-regional approach to save some of the world’s most magnificent flowers, many of which are now threatened with extinction,” said study co-author Chris Thorogood.
Scientists noted that one of the ways to preserve raffia could be the development of ecotourism, as well as the propagation of flowers in botanical gardens in Indonesia.
Previous researchers I learnedThe green-cheeked Amazon parrot, an endangered species in the wild, has begun to evolve by adapting to life in urban areas.
Source: Gazeta
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