Transcript:
Emily Griffou of Betty Ford Alpine Garden in Colorado searched for rocky mountains and found unique plants that have evolved to survive in this high altitude environment with sunny sunshine and heavy snow.
Griffou: “These alpine plants … they are spectacular both visually and from evolutionary perspectives.”
For example, some have long roots that can be secured in loose rocks or tiny hair to protect them from wind.
However, many alpine plants are in trouble. Climate change is warming their cold, mountaintop houses and allowing lower altitude plants to move upwards and replace them.
So Griffou and other scientists are collecting seeds from these alpine plants to retain their genes and help ensure they don't become extinct.
However, before doing so, she must confirm that there are enough plants in the wild so that their seeds do not endanger the species. This can be challenging, especially when the population is small.
So she used historical data and photos of volunteers to determine where she might find it.
Griffou: “And then, once you go out there, it's like the best treasure hunt in the world.”
If she can find enough, she will collect their seeds – adding to the garden’s collection and helping to protect alpine plants for decades.
Report Credit: Ethan Freedman/Chavobart Digital Media
Repost our articles for free under the Creative Commons license, online or in print.
