Sneže, our miracle from Štitar is a bigger miracle than we had hoped, we have a new breed for science. These are words that every scientist would like to hear during their professional career. Or at least almost every one. However, it does not happen to everyone and, especially, it has not happened recently. However, it did happen Snezani Vuksanovic i Snezani Dragicevic. Two scientists will be remembered for discovering a new plant, Petrolamium crnojevicii, in Štitari, Montenegro, in the 21st century. Dragićević, Vuksanović & Surina.
Vuksanović, a curator at the Natural History Museum, and Dragićević, an independent advisor at the Center for Energy and Ecology (ENEKO) of the Montenegrin Academy of Sciences and Arts (CANU), talk to "Vijesti" about their scientific discovery, its importance for the biodiversity of Montenegro, but also how the state treats science and scientists, as well as what it is like to be a woman in science.
The discovered plant, as previously announced by the Natural History Museum, belongs to the Lamiaceae family, which includes plants such as sage (pelim) and heather. The closest related species, Petrolamium crnojevicii, lives in the most strictly isolated conditions, in the Himalayas, at altitudes of over 5.000 meters. This, as he said Boštjan Surina from the Natural History Museum in Rijeka, "leads to the conclusion that the newly discovered species is something quite special and probably carries a unique evolutionary story."
How did you feel when you realized you had discovered a new plant? Was there any doubt or euphoria?
In the beginning there was doubt. Doubt is always a companion of science and a driving force in the search for truth. When we tried to figure out what the plant in question was, we used all the available literature, we were unable to place it in any known genus of the dicotyledonous family. At that time, we had already largely involved our colleague Boštjan Surina from the Natural History Museum in Rijeka in the research. As time passed, we realized that our plant was something new and great, euphoria set in, especially when we received confirmation from preliminary molecular analyses that we actually had not only a new species for science, but also a higher taxonomic category, a new genus for science!
Can you describe a moment when you could confidently say “this is something new”?
That was the moment when our colleague Surina called us and said, "Sneže, our miracle from Štitar is a bigger miracle than we had hoped, we have a new crop for science." Joy ensued and we danced with happiness and a rush of adrenaline. That moment of intoxication lasted us for an entire day, and then we had to sit down and make a plan for work in the field and in the laboratory. We knew that we had a lot of work ahead of us and a long journey to collect credible evidence with which we would "defend" these discoveries before the professional public.
How are similar discoveries recognized and valued in other countries? Are there examples where such discoveries have had wider significance?
Similar discoveries have not happened in Europe recently, perhaps not even in the last two centuries. The discovery of new, evolutionarily independent genera and species occurs in tropical or mountainous areas of Asia, Africa and America (primarily South America). Relatively recently, a new species for science was discovered in the desert in the USA, it was an accidental discovery by a woman who is not a scientist, but she took a picture of a plant and uploaded the photo to a plant recognition application and asked for an answer as to what plant it was. Scientists who were not familiar with the plant got involved, they received information about where it was photographed and the result is a new species of desert plant for science. The coordinates of where the plant grows are top secret because the location enters a National Park that is busy, this is a way to protect the plant from unscrupulous collectors and to preserve its habitat.
What is the procedure when a new species is discovered, what steps did you have to go through to have the discovery officially recognized?
Field and laboratory research was conducted, which included standard procedures for describing a new genus and species. These included ecological research conducted in the field, by listing all plants growing in the immediate vicinity of Petrolamium, detailed phytocoenological rock surveys with a list of all “first neighbors”. Then, vegetative organs (stem, petiole, leaf, flower stalk and flower parts) and reproductive parts (stamens, pistil and seeds) were measured in the laboratory. Cytogenetic analyses (determination of chromosome number) and molecular analyses on plastid and nuclear DNA were performed in parallel. 9 scientists from the surrounding area, Western Europe and China participated in the collection of evidence.
Could this discovery lead to new knowledge about the Štitar ecosystem or other new discoveries in the future?
It is possible, and we will work on this in the future, because the Montenegrin hot karst on the tri-border of the Lješanska, Riječka and Katunska nahijas is a special type of habitat that is recognized as an area of high endemism and relict, not only when it comes to plants but also other groups of organisms. These high rocks that have been shaped for centuries under the influence of rain (between 1.500 and 3.000 millimeters of rain fall annually) and sun are still mysterious.
What does this discovery mean for Montenegro's biodiversity? Could it spur new research or the protection of certain areas?
The discovery of Petrolamium crnojevicii Dragićević, Vuksanović & Surina, one of the largest in the last two hundred years, brings Montenegro and its flora back into the focus of scientists from all over the world. Petrolamium will be protected, which will be done by the Environmental Protection Agency through the List of Protected Species of Plants, Animals and Fungi and the Red List of Flora of Montenegro, and at the same time we are working on defining the protection of the area where the “miracle from Štitar” grows. In this, we have the support of the residents of Štitar, Đinovići, Bokovo and Kosijeri, on whose land the Petrolamium is located.
Climate change and the impact on rare and endemic species - are such discoveries becoming rarer or more common due to changes in ecosystems?
Climate change will have a negative impact on endemic and rare plants. Like all living organisms, plants respond to changes in the external environment by adapting to a certain extent. In the past, plants migrated in search of optimal living conditions, finding refuge over great distances. This ability is possessed by plants that are widely distributed and whose populations are numerous. Endemic plants, especially stenoendemics such as Petrolamium, have small ranges (the area they inhabit), as a rule, their populations are small, and they are specialized for one type of substrate or for a specific habitat. This reduces the chances of endemics to survive climate change and in fact these plants are the most endangered.
What is the current position of science in Montenegrin society? Do you feel that scientific work receives sufficient attention and support?
Science is in the shadow of politics, but this is nothing new in Montenegro. However, the Ministry of Science, which was once independent and then attached to education, is making efforts to provide funds for scientists through various regional and European projects, scientific mobility, financing scientific journals, scientific conferences, and in other ways. It is interesting, but not negligible, that the Ministry of Science has been headed by women for a long time, and that science gained momentum precisely during their time. The public's approach is varied, and great damage has been done by social networks and "self-proclaimed" experts who misinform and can be very harmful (this primarily applies to medical science). In essence, the state and its institutions must not lose this battle with ignorance and prejudice. It is necessary to be in the public eye as much as possible, explain scientific research and evidence in an accessible way, visit schools, organize public forums, and the like. On the other hand, the public welcomed Petrolamium crnojevicii with joy, delight and sincere congratulations, for which we feel great gratitude and obligation to continue doing science with a lot of love, sincerity and dedication!
How do you see the relationship between science and decision-makers - to what extent is scientific knowledge used in creating policies, especially those related to nature protection?
The nature of Montenegro is a brand, wild, luxurious and mysterious! We are recognized in the world by it. We are not aware of this and we can read or see it in the media every poor day. Raising awareness among the local population has not been very well received, although large amounts of money from European and other international funds have been spent on it. The state has not been generous in financing, but the biggest problem is the lack of vision. We do not know what plans and strategies are, for example, the Biodiversity Strategy has not yet been adopted, although the previous one ceased to be valid in 2020. We are waiting for the Spatial Plan of Montenegro, the National Climate and Energy Plan and many other documents that will chart the path of this country. Until we see the strategies and plans, we will not know whether biodiversity has been taken into account when creating public policies.
How important are such discoveries for the international image of Montenegro in scientific circles?
They are very important. Through such discoveries, Montenegrin science is “strengthening” in international circles. Many young scientists and our colleagues from state institutions, NGOs or as independent experts work hard, engage in scientific research and produce results that rank them highly in science. Our discovery has already traveled the world and of course raised the bar in the image and recognition of Montenegrin science.
What are the next steps in researching Petrolamium crnojevicii? Are there any plans for additional research or protection of this plant?
We continue our research on Petrolamium at the molecular level. We will visit all neighboring areas in search of the plant. However, all efforts will primarily be focused on protecting Petrolamium by preserving the wider area in which it grows. The local population helps us in this, because they are aware of the importance and significance of this plant, and we will soon introduce the Royal Capital and the Mayor with the protection plans. We expect understanding and support to protect Petrolamium and its habitat!
Is there a possibility that the plant could receive a certain protected status and what would that mean for the local community?
Yes, because Petrolamium crnojevicii, due to its narrow distribution, has already been recognized as a critically endangered species according to the criteria of the International Union for the Conservation of Plant Species (IUCN). In the area of Petrolamium, there is the historically and archaeologically significant fortress of Soko Grad, where the Ivan CrnojevicThis is all the more reason for the area to be protected, to become attractive to tourists, which gives the local community the opportunity to engage in eco-tourism.
Believe in yourself and everything is possible.
Is it difficult to be a woman in science in Montenegro and how difficult is it? What challenges do you face?
Being a woman in Montenegro has never been easy, not even today. Montenegrin women are primarily dedicated to their families, but we have managed to be more present in the social life of Montenegro, in science or in sports. It is a privilege, but an even greater struggle through which we show how strong and powerful we are, because the fact that we feel equal in relation to the “stronger” sex is encouraging. But, on the other hand, everything that at some point seems to “suffer” the family because we work in a laboratory or are in the field, we have to make up for because no one will finish some tasks, and it always waits for the mother and the housewife.
Do you see any progress when it comes to gender equality in the scientific community? Is there any support for young female scientists? What advice would you give to girls considering a career in science?
Of course we notice, and this is expected because women in Montenegro have always been hardworking, hardworking, ambitious, but the conditions are also quite different, because Montenegrin families have long invested equally in the education of male and female children. And as soon as Montenegrin women got the chance, society began to recognize them and look at them with different eyes, completely for a reason because they showed that they are smart, wise, and insightful. Today, young female scientists have many more opportunities to choose and to be educated in or outside of Montenegro. Regardless of the fact that our lives are “busy” and that it seems that we lack time, we think that this picture is illusory. You have to know what you want and you have to believe in yourself, and if you organize yourself well, there are no unattainable goals.
Bonus video:
