UKZN’s Professor Benny Bytebier in the field in Zambia.
The latest edition of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew’s State of the World’s Plants and Fungi 2026 (SOTWPF) report has revealed that the full extent of the global biodiversity crisis remains poorly understood, while advances in technology are providing new opportunities to protect endangered species.
The sixth SOTWPF report, published on June 16, draws on the expertise of more than 400 scientists from 40 countries.
The landmark global report on plants and fungi reveals how digital technology helps combat extinction.
The report explores how innovations such as Artificial Intelligence (AI), digitisation and global data-sharing are transforming efforts to document and conserve the world’s plant and fungal diversity.
