Cacti Data Hub: One Place for Traits, Places, and Family History

A new online resource gathers a wide range of information on more than 1, 000 cactus species. The collection links physical traits, where each plant lives, the climates they occupy, and their evolutionary relationships. It also offers data on how large each species’ range is, the speed at which new cactus species have appeared over time, and a detailed family tree that shows how all cacti are connected. Scientists need these types of linked data to compare species, understand how they adapt, and plan protection efforts. Until now, many plant groups, especially those at high risk of disappearing, have lacked such comprehensive datasets.

The cactus family is very diverse and important to many ecosystems across the Americas, yet many species are endangered. By making all of this information freely available in one place, the database hopes to help researchers study cactus biology, movement across landscapes, and how they might respond to future changes. Researchers can use the database for questions about ecology, evolution, and conservation. Because it is open access, anyone can download the data or explore it online. The creators expect that the community will build on this foundation to keep studying cacti and protecting them.

Actions