Researchers from the Ugyen Wangchuck Institute for Forest Research and Training and the Department of Forests and Park Services have discovered nine new plant species from different climatic zones as new additions to Bhutan’s flora.
The identification of the new species sheds light on their distribution, conservation, uses and the threats they face, providing valuable data for further research. While the local communities were already familiar with these species and were using them for various purposes, this is the first time they have been documented in botanical expeditions.
Such new discoveries signify that the country’s ecosystem is healthy. Rich biodiversity and a healthy eco-system keep pest diseases in check and provide important natural safeguards against natural disasters such as floods, droughts and landslides and regulate climate.
Tshering Deki
Edited by Sonam Pem
