Help Wanted to Gather Plant Trait Data
Are you curious about Artificial Intelligence (AI) and how it can be used to enhance our understanding of native plants? Here’s your chance to get involved in an exciting project that blends technology with botanical research.
We are working with a team of Computing Science students at the University of Technology Sydney (UTS) to develop an AI system capable of searching digitised back issues of the Australian Plants Journal (APJ) for useful plant traits. These traits include information on propagation, care, and characteristics of native plants, particularly those that are locally uncommon. However, to ensure the AI system performs effectively, we need your help.
Begun in 2016 as an initiative between three lab groups, it has grown to be the largest collation of plant trait data for Australian plants. The source of each piece of information is identified and credited in any research.
Understanding Plant Traits
Plant traits refer to the characteristics or features that define a plant. These include growth habits, such as whether a plant is a shrub, ground cover, or tree. Leaf structure is another important trait, encompassing variations in shape, size, and texture. Flowering time and pollination strategies also help define a species, along with its soil and moisture preferences. Some plants have specific adaptations related to fire resistance and regeneration, which play a crucial role in their survival and distribution.
This information is valuable for conservation, horticulture, and ecological studies. However, different sources, including the APJ, may describe traits using various terms. Our goal is to identify these descriptions accurately and align them with standardised scientific terminology.
How You Can Help
We need volunteers to review the AI findings and help train the system. Your role would involve:
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Reading pages of the Australian Plants Journal that the AI has flagged as containing plant trait information.
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Comparing your findings to what the AI system has extracted.
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Identifying any errors and providing feedback to improve the AI’s accuracy.
The time commitment is flexible – you can review as many or as few pages as your schedule allows.
Contributing to a National Database
The data we collect will be offered to AusTraits, a national plant trait database managed by the University of New South Wales. AusTraits aims to map up to 500 traits for each of Australia’s 30,000 native plant species by gathering data from field studies, scientific literature, and taxonomic monographs. Currently, the database holds an average of 30 traits per species, meaning that our contributions could significantly enhance this valuable scientific resource. Each source of information is identified and credited in any research using the data.
Why This Matters: A Special Focus on Acacia pubescens
A notable example of a plant species of interest is Acacia pubescens, an endangered species that thrives in Bankstownbut is found nowhere else. Understanding its traits can help support conservation efforts and ensure its survival. A Brian Walters photograph of Acacia pubescens from the ANPSA website serves as a visual showcase of this important plant.
Get Involved!
This project is a meaningful opportunity for APS members to contribute to a significant national scientific resource. By assisting with plant trait data collection, we are directly enhancing the AusTraits database, an essential tool for researchers, conservationists, and horticulturalists working to understand and protect Australia’s native flora.If you’d like to participate or learn more, please contact Dorothy Luther at dlutherau@yahoo.com.au. This is a great opportunity to contribute to plant science, conservation, and the development of AI technology. Whether you’re a seasoned botanist or just curious about native plants, your help is invaluable!