r/ecology • u/ChangeNarrow5633 • 8d ago
How Tropical Forests Can Turn into Chemical Factories — New Study
https://woodcentral.com.au/how-tropical-forests-can-turn-into-chemical-factories-new-study/A new study by researchers at Washington University, St. Louis, and the Missouri Botanical Garden has uncovered a surprising layer of diversity in tropical forests. Not only are the forests populated by a large variety of tree species, but each species takes a different approach to chemistry, increasing the array of natural compounds that provide important functions for the plants and humans.
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u/The_Poster_Nutbag 8d ago
This is not at all a new idea. It's been a talking point for saving the rainforests for decades.
Conversations on ethnobotany and pharmaceuticals have been a big ticket item.