New technologies are revolutionizing plant conservation by enabling botanists to discover rare and endangered plants in hard-to-reach areas. 

In a fascinating article by Island News, drones, now an essential tool for modern botanists, allow scientists to explore places humans cannot easily access. Ben Nyberg, GIS and drone program coordinator at the National Tropical Botanical Garden (NTBG), highlights that drones have surveyed thousands of acres in Hawaii, reaching areas that previously took a whole day to access in just two minutes.

Historically, botanists risked their lives rappelling down cliffs up to 3,000 feet high to study plants. Environmental reporter Jan TenBruggencate recalls these dangerous expeditions, during which scientists were precariously suspended from ropes. The difficulty of accessing these areas often meant many plants remained undiscovered.

NTBG began its drone program in 2016. Initially, drones allowed botanists to see plants but not collect samples. In 2022, they co-developed a robotic arm to retrieve plant cuttings, which can be grown in nurseries. Future drones will even return plants or seeds to their natural habitats. Nyberg emphasizes the urgency of finding and conserving wild plant populations to maintain genetic diversity and prevent extinction.

Hawaii, known as the Endangered Species Capital of the World, has already lost over 100 plant species. Using drones provides new hope in the ongoing effort to save these rare species, marking a significant advancement in conservation efforts.