Research scientists stress the negative effects of turning away from the botanical world when plants could be the answer to global environmental issues.
In a scientific paper, researchers warn that many people are disconnected from the plant world. The problem has worsened due to the reduction of basic plant science teachings, according to the paper. Fewer plant scientists are being produced, with animal content taking priority when presented to students.
“This drives a self-accelerating cycle we term ‘the extinction of botanical education.’ A process of knowledge erosion, that in this instance contributes to our separation from the natural world, makes us blind to the biodiversity crisis and inhibits our ability to restore it,” said the paper. “We argue that neglecting the importance of plants within education threatens the foundations of industries and professions that rely on this knowledge.”
An examination of data from the Higher Education Statistics Agency showed that botany in university biology degrees and programs is, “‘now practically non-existent in the UK,'” shared a news release from the University of Leeds.
From 2007 to 2019, only one student graduated in botanical sciences for each 185 students in other bioscience disciples, continued the release. Biology curriculum centers around plant communities, reproduction and anatomy, failing to focus on ecology and developing plant identification skills.
“The result of the decline in botany education is a reduced awareness of plants among the public and professionals alike … We are seeing environmental projects that are not just ineffective but adding to environmental problems. Harnessed properly, there is no doubt that plants could provide solutions to the looming climate and ecological crises of the 21st Century,” said Seb Stroud, a PhD researcher at the University of Leeds and lead author of the study. “We ignore the opportunities presented to us by the botanical world at our own peril.”
The paper points to examples where a lack of basic botany skills is hindering environmental improvements. The Scottish Government agrees as they highlight the absence of a skilled workforce to integrate nature-based solutions and believe that nature literacy should be as important to everyday professionals such as planners and engineers as it is for farmers and foresters.
Researchers also fear that the inability to correctly identify plants could intensify the spread of invasive non-native plants.
To combat the decline of botanical education, researchers believe a global assessment of botanical education and “analysis of the skill gaps among scientists and professionals in the environmental and plant sectors” are necessary, said the release. A campaign to raise plant awareness throughout higher education and the public is another next step.
“The extinction of botanical education will only continue to worsen unless we break the cycle of disconnection from the botanical world,” concluded the research team.
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