My interest in Portugal’s loss of biodiversity was motivated by an article I read that suggests that the Portuguese Association of Science of Vegetation states that in the ‘Red list list of vascular plants’ that of the 110 species of plants that can be found on mainland Portugal, 53 are facing extinction’
According to Professor Alexandre Antonelli, Director of Science at Kew Botanical gardens, and scientists, 45% of flowering plant species are at a risk of extinction.
Orchids, being one of the most sensitive angiosperms, find themselves threatened by climate change and human activities. Consistent threats such as deforestation by logging or burning for agriculture, habitat destruction, increased susceptibility to fire threat, pollinator decline, global warming, and from ex situ propagation and some cultured species are also subjected to collecting for trade or for private orchid collections, landing many species in the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species.
Portugal is one of the last countries where several types of European orchids can grow in natural conditions. It has become crucial to preserve the few places that haven’t been destroyed by man.
I am with this work reflecting on symbiotic relationships in nature, that demonstrate how biodiversity and balance in ecosystems are vital for existential futures on our planet. Living in what has been defined as the Anthropocene geological era, humans are changing biodiversity patterns, which could bring about a homogenised global flora, which will lead to the loss of distinctive ecosystems and the services they provide.
I have used Cork in this work, because it has the unique ability to regenerate its bark. A single cork lives up to 200 years, and can be harvested over 16 times. Portugal is home to the largest collection of cork oak trees, found in forest mosaics alongside other tree species, which are home to a great diversity of species and each year cork oak forests account for 10 million tons of CO2 absorption.
The work is represented in a herbarium format, being a collection of preserved plant specimens and associated data used for scientific study. The specimens may be whole plants or plant parts, usually dried form mounted on a sheet of paper, or kept in boxes or kept in alcohol or other preservative. The making of herbaria is an ancient phenomenon, and according to Kew gardens it’s not just a dried plant, it’s a silent warrior for a greener future.
SEEING GREEN 