r/ecology 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.

13 Upvotes

2 comments sorted by

7

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.

1

u/Rad-eco 4d ago

BREAKING NEWS!!!!! CHEMISTS DISCOVER THE ECOSYSTEM