Welcome to the Global Metallophyte Database

Metallophytes – plant species that have evolved on metal-enriched soils such as ultramafics – have key ‘values’ that must drive research on their unique properties, and ultimately their conservation. The ability of metallophytes to tolerate extreme metal concentrations commends them as the perfect option for ecological restoration of metal-contaminated sites. Metallophytes have also initiated phytotechnologies, including phytoremediation and phytomining. Action towards conserving the global metallophyte biodiversity is necessary because many species are under threat of extinction from mining and habitat degradation. The last decade has seen an ever-increasing interest in metal-tolerant and metal-accumulating plants both from an academic standpoint and their use in revegetation and phytostabilization.

International metallophyte research

Metallophytes are of esthablished scientific interest, and metallophyte research is carried out at many research institutes around the globe. Current research focuses on the biochemistry, physiology and genetics of mechanisms for metal adaptation, and on mycorrhizal symbiosis, root-associated microbes and metal tolerance, plant–animal interactions, phytoremediation, aspects of the bioavailability of metals in soil and ecotoxicology predominantly in the context of risk assessment and regulatory and legislative aspects of soil contamination.
 
Science lacks coherent insight however into the exact measures for restoration of metallophyte communities. Research into the geographic distribution, ecological amplitude and niche differentiation of metallophytes, and the impact of ecological management and habitat alteration on metallophyte vegetation, is necessary to facilitate conservation and to develop and manage sites in the future. Action towards conserving the global metallophyte resource base is imperative because many species are under threat of extinction from the current quest for base metals and mining boom. We aim at supporting conservational efforts and research in the international context by developing a Global Metallphyte Database that catalogues metallophyte biodiversity worldwide.