CONTEXT

• The Western Ghats is one of the eight “hottest” biodiversity hotspots globally, home to many endemic evergreen tree species.
• Extensive deforestation and habitat fragmentation have degraded large parts of its evergreen forests.
• Ecological restoration is a key need to rebuild forest ecosystems, support biodiversity, and build climate resilience.

CONCEPT

• PlantWise is a newly launched interactive web tool designed to aid scientific ecological restoration in the Western Ghats.
• Developed by:
  • Nature Conservation Foundation (NCF)
  • BITS Pilani – Hyderabad Campus
  • Thackeray Wildlife Foundation
  • In partnership with the Ecological Restoration Alliance
• Core Purpose:
  • Assist ecologists, forest managers, and restoration practitioners in selecting appropriate native evergreen tree species for restoration.
  • Focuses on species endemic to the Western Ghats (~60% of evergreen tree species).
• Methodology:
  • Uses species distribution models based on:
    • Curated plant occurrence data
    • Environmental variables (climate, elevation)
  • Suggests species best suited for a site’s ecological conditions.

CURRENT

• Bridges a critical data gap: Enables accurate, region-specific tree distribution essential for conservation and afforestation.
• Clarifies native vs. invasive species: Lack of precise data previously led to ecological mismatches.
• Data science meets ecology: Uses a blend of expert fieldwork and advanced modelling.
• Sources: Public research (e.g., French Institute of Pondicherry), NCF data, and ecologist Navendu Page.
• Smart features:
  • Predicts distribution patterns.
  • Reduces false recommendations (commission errors).
  • Mirrors true biogeographic zones of the Western Ghats.