A Tribute to Plant Biodiversity and the question of extinction

During my studies in biology and training as a botanist, I collected and documented a wide variety of plant species. I described them, dried them, and preserved them in a herbarium. As a scientist, I focused on the careful and precise work of naming and documenting the intricate structures of plants. Yet, I found myself yearning for something more - a felt connection beautifully articulated by Robin Wall Kimmerer: a sense of care, love, and compassion for the species that inhabit this world alongside us. In search of a means to express this sentiment, I embarked on the project “A Tribute to Biodiversity” in 2022, which has since continued to evolve and expand. Each plant I have ever gathered in the name of science finds a unique place within this work.

These plants are are far more than mere objects of study; they are vital contributors to the thriving of our biosphere. By transforming water, carbon, and minerals into sugar molecules with the aid of light, they not only sustain themselves but also nourish countless other life forms. In doing so, they uphold the delicate balance of our ecosystems. 

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Through this project, I aspire not only to showcase their beauty and diversity but also to acknowledge their irreplaceable role. It is a gesture of gratitude to those who make our existence possible.