How Big Data is Changing the Way We See Medicinal Plants

In today’s world, almost everything is influenced by the internet, from how we learn to how we shop. But did you know the internet is also changing the way we think about plants? A new study from the Federal University of Pernambuco, Brazil, used big data to understand how people interact with medicinal plants, especially those from a special region in Brazil called the Caatinga. This new way of studying plant knowledge, called Conservation Culturomics, is giving scientists new insights into how people connect with plants in the digital age.

What is Conservation Culturomics?

“Conservation Culturomics” may sound complicated, but it’s simply the study of how people’s online behaviors—what they search for, share, and talk about—can help us understand how people care about nature and biodiversity. Traditionally, scientists studied plants by going out into the field and talking to people. But now, they can use the internet to learn what people are interested in by looking at things like Wikipedia pages and social media posts. This study focused on medicinal plants—plants that are used to treat illnesses—and how these plants are talked about online.

Using big data to understand how people interact with medicinal plants

Why Focus on Medicinal Plants from the Caatinga

The Caatinga is a dry region in northeastern Brazil, home to many unique plants. Some of these plants have been used for centuries by local people to treat different kinds of illnesses. In this study, researchers looked at how much interest people have in these plants by tracking online mentions. What they found was surprising: factors like how rare or unique a plant is (called endemism) or whether it’s used in the pharmaceutical industry didn’t seem to matter much for getting attention online. Instead, what seemed to make a big difference was how versatile a plant is—how many different ways it can be used.

The Versatility of Plants

The study found that plants with more medicinal uses attracted more online interest. This is what scientists call versatility—when a plant can be used for different things, like treating more than one illness or being used in food or even beauty products. People online seem to be more curious about plants that can be used in many different ways, rather than just one specific use.

For example, a plant that can be used to treat headaches, help with digestion, and even be used in tea will likely get more attention than a plant that only helps with one illness. The internet allows people to easily search and learn about these many uses, making versatile plants more popular in online discussions.

What About Rare Plants and the Pharmaceutical Industry?

You might think that rare plants or those used in big medicines would be the most talked about, but the study showed that wasn’t the case. Plants that are endemic (only found in one place) or have a connection to big drug companies didn’t get more attention than others. Instead, the focus seemed to be on plants that have practical uses for everyday people.

This finding is important because it shows that interest in plants isn’t just about how rare they are or how much money they could make. It’s about how useful they are to people in real life. And since people are often searching for ways to improve their health or find natural remedies, plants that offer more solutions are more likely to be discussed and shared online.

How Can This Help Save Plants?

This research is important for conservation—the protection of plants and animals. In today’s world, many plants are disappearing because of climate change, deforestation, and pollution. By understanding which plants people are interested in, scientists and conservationists can better focus their efforts on protecting the plants that are most important to people.

Since more people are turning to the internet for information about health and wellness, the study shows that if certain plants are being discussed more often, they may be more likely to be protected and used wisely. In the future, conservation efforts could focus on promoting plants that have a wide variety of uses, helping to raise awareness and support for their protection.

The Importance of Online Engagement

What makes this study different is that it doesn’t just look at plants in the real world—it looks at how plants are talked about and shared online. This is important because the internet is how people learn about many things today. By studying how often plants are mentioned online, we can get a sense of which plants are important to people, which can help guide conservation efforts.

However, there are a few things to be careful about when using the internet to study plant interest. The study points out that some people around the world don’t have the same access to the internet, and that can make it hard to get a full picture of how plants are valued globally. Additionally, not all information online is accurate or representative of everyone’s views, so it’s important to look at the data carefully.

What Does This Mean for the Future?

This study is a great example of how big data and the internet are changing the way we study the world around us. By using Conservation Culturomics, scientists are learning more about how people view plants, not just in real life but also in the digital world. It turns out that versatility—the number of uses a plant has—can make it more popular online, which might help protect those plants in the future.

As we continue to face environmental challenges, understanding how people interact with plants on the internet can help us make better decisions about conservation. This study shows that even in our hyperconnected world, it’s not just about how rare a plant is or how much money it might make—it’s about how useful and versatile it is to people.

So the next time you search for information on a plant online, remember: the more useful it is, the more likely it will be shared and talked about, helping it survive in the digital age and beyond.

Citation

Albuquerque, U. P. 2006. Re-examining hypotheses concerning the use and knowledge of medicinal plants: A study in the Caatinga vegetation of NE Brazil. Journal of Ethnobiology and Ethnomedicine 2(30): 1-10. https://doi.org/10.1186/1746-4269-2-30