Half of Heliconia Species Face Extinction: Urgent Conservation Needed

The **Smithsonian's National Museum of Natural History** has unveiled a pivotal study concerning the genus _Heliconia_, revealing that nearly half of these vibrant tropical plants face a dire risk of extinction. Published in **Plants, People, Planet**, the research highlights the absence of these species from protected areas and botanical gardens, urging immediate conservation actions. ### Heliconia: Ecological and Horticultural Significance _Heliconia_ species are visually striking due to their bright, beak-shaped flowers and play an essential role in tropical ecosystems, particularly as pollination resources for hummingbirds and bats. Despite their prominence in horticulture, habitat destruction, climate change, and overexploitation threaten their existence. ### A New Method for Conservation Assessment Instead of traditional labor-intensive surveys, researchers tapped into herbarium collections, utilizing digitized specimens and data from earlier fieldwork. This approach, spearheaded by John Kress and Gary Krupnick, enabled a rapid analysis of almost 10,000 specimens using the **Geospatial Conservation Assessment Tool (GeoCAT)**. ### Alarming Findings and Conservation Priorities The study reveals that **87 species** (47% of the genus) are at risk, with few in protected zones. The research underscores the necessity of safeguarding species outside these areas and calls for reintroducing them to their natural habitats. A list of **45 at-risk species** has been prioritized for conservation efforts. ### Toward a Global Conservation Effort Kress and Krupnick aim to share these findings at a forthcoming international conference, advocating for increased public awareness and responsible tourism to reduce pressures on wild populations. They hope this comprehensive assessment will inspire similar studies across other plant groups, as less than 20% of plant species have undergone such evaluations. The research team, including **Tomáš Fér** and **Mónica Carlsen**, aims to make a global impact by providing a blueprint for conserving _Heliconia_ and fostering broader botanical conservation initiatives.