Botanists have a long history of heading on expeditions across challenging and new terrains. But plant scientists are beginning to embrace innovative forms of transport in their attempts to study flora in remote areas.
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In a paper, published today in the journal Plants, People, Planet, scientists from Kew, Huarango Nature and paramotorists from Forest Air teamed up to demonstrate the potential for paramotoring as a good way of collecting specimens.
Paramotoring is the use of a motorised paraglider. A pilot has a propeller strapped to their back, which is typically powered by a small engine. The pilot usually runs and then the paramotor kicks into action.
Watch the scientists at work
In many areas of the challenging terrain of the deserts of Peru people are yet to collect and survey plants. By paramotoring, they are able to protect the fragile eco systems that can be damaged using 4x4 cars and motorbikes and cut CO2 emissions by up to two-thirds.
The scientists went to study Peru's fog oasis desert, which are rare and unique island-like eco systems. Known as ‘lomas’ in Peru or ‘oasis de niebla’ in Chile, these ecosystems are home to over 1,700 plant species and are extremely vulnerable to climate change and human activities. Kew scientists have been studying them for almost a century and yet they remain incredibly hard to map and, in some areas, only flourish once every decade.
Kew's scientists partnered with the French nonprofit Forest Air and the Brazilian paramotor team Aita (Escola Nacional De Paramotor). The paramotorist team consisted of three pilots and one ground crew engineer. The paramotorists were trained by Kew and Huarango Nature scientists on how to identify target plant species and how to collect, georeference and preserve them for taxonomic study.
Márcio Aita Júnior, Director AITA Escola Nacional de Paramotor, said: ‘This was a unique experience that will never be forgotten, helping me understand a little about botany and lomas and their role in society, also it helped me to understand plant studies and their importance to the discovery of new medicines and food for the next generation. I was absorbed by the information, drawing me into local culture, and with certainty this experience changed my perception of the world and the importance of preserving nature as a whole.’
