Do you know the Carajás Flower? It is a plant that can only be found in the Carajás National Forest, an environmental conservation unit of more than 400,000 hectares in Pará where, in the early 1980s, the world’s largest mining project began. With the scientific name of Ipomoea cavalcantei, the Carajás Flower is threatened with extinction and therefore has received strong attention in scientific research led by the Vale Technological Institute – Sustainable Development (ITV-DS).
One such study was published earlier this month in the scientific journal Frontiers in Plant Science, revealing that, contrary to expectations, the genetic diversity of the species is high, and it manages to maintain a high gene flow throughout its range. This knowledge can contribute to the preservation of the species, since genetic diversity and the degree of isolation of a species determine its ability to survive in the long term. Genes associated with the environmental conditions of the Amazon savannas were also found, which could help in future conservation programs and restoration actions involving this species. The study is freely accessible, and anyone who wants to look for more information or details about the publication can follow this link.