Ecuador's Cloud Forest Mass Extinction Debunked by New Study

Research reveals that many plant species thought extinct in Ecuador's Centinela range still exist, offering new hope for conservation efforts.

A study published in Nature Plants finds no evidence of the presumed mass extinction of 90 plant species in Ecuador's Centinela range.
The research team discovered that many of these plants persist in small forest fragments and other South American locations.
Botanists have identified more than 50 new species from initial collections, highlighting the complexity of documenting biodiversity in diverse ecosystems.
Centinela's forests are more resilient than previously believed, with several overlooked fragments supporting rare and endangered species.
The findings underscore the importance of continued conservation efforts, as over 45,000 species globally remain at risk of extinction.