CIRAD joins the World Flora Online consortium

"CIRAD's membership of the WFO consortium reflects its leading position in the global scientific community, notably via the Pl@ntNet citizen science platform", says Pierre Bonnet, botanist with CIRAD and coordinator of Pl@ntNet and of the EU GUARDEN project. "Pl@ntNet's contributions are crucial for reaching the WFO's targets, particularly as regards the development of new digital methods for identifying species and biodiversity data collection."

Pl@ntNet, a key role in preserving plant biodiversity

By means, among other things, of artificial intelligence and data obtained through a participatory approach, Pl@ntNet aims to improve species identification, particularly for lesser-known plant groups and as yet under-explored regions. "Pl@ntNet is therefore playing an essential role in supporting the aims of the COP on Biodiversity that is under way in Cali, Colombia, notably by sharing data and information required for the sustainable use of global plant resources. By making the available knowledge as accessible as possible, we are helping to ensure that plant biodiversity is taken into account in management and conservation programmes for both natural and manmade areas."

WFO, a world flora for better biodiversity protection

There are probably some 400 000 vascular plant species on Earth, of which almost 40 000 are yet to be discovered. The WFO is a global initiative set up to reach the first target of the Global Strategy for Plant Conservation (GSPC): to create an online flora of all known plants. In offering an overview of the world's plants, the WFO is an essential tool for biodiversity conservation planners, decision-makers and practitioners.
This collaborative online platform, launched in 2012 to consolidate the available knowledge on the flora worldwide, is open-access. The WFO is based on floras, published reference lists and revisions, but also aims to generate new knowledge. The initiative responds to the vital need for a full inventory of plants, and is thus helping to protect threatened species and unlock their potential to tackle the global challenges linked to health, the environment and socioeconomic issues.