David Goyder is a distinguished botanist from the UK, specializing in African plants. At 65 years old, he has dedicated his career to studying plant diversity since 1988, when he began his work at Kew Gardens. Recently, David celebrated his 65th birthday during an expedition, reflecting his unwavering commitment to his field. A few days before his birthday, he joined a team of scientists in Upemba National Park, a park established in 1939 but later neglected due to conflicts in the Democratic Republic of Congo. David is part of the team working to understand the park's biodiversity following a previous assessment in 1945.
David's passion for natural history was inherited from his mother, who deeply loved plants. Initially interested in birds, he eventually turned to botany, influenced by his university's modules on vegetation history. Although trained as a botanist specializing in European plants, his interest shifted to African flora.
David's interests include the taxonomy and floristics of the milkweed family Apocynaceae, particularly in tropical Africa and South America. He has written or coordinated Flora treatments for various regions, including Ethiopia, Eritrea, Somalia, Tropical East Africa, and the Flora Zambesiaca region. Additionally, he has contributed to biodiversity assessments in Angola, highlighting areas of exceptional plant diversity and endemism.
Despite formally retiring at the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, David continues his research, driven by the excitement of discovering new plant species and documenting plant diversity. He finds it essential to pass on holistic knowledge to young scientists, emphasizing practical field learning. His work in Upemba Park and the Democratic Republic of Congo is fueled by the unique plant diversity in these little-explored regions, where he hopes to discover species new to science.
Why did you retire or why are you still working?
Why did you retire?
Why are you still working?
I continue to work because the thrill of discovering new plant species and documenting plant diversity never fades. What truly excites me is the diversity of plants, especially in regions inaccessible to biologists, where there's a possibility of finding species entirely new to science. Although I formally retired at the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic, I couldn't imagine leaving science altogether. I would get bored very quickly if I did. My interest in plant diversity keeps me going, and I feel a strong sense of responsibility to contribute to the knowledge of African flora. Passing on this knowledge to the next generation is also crucial to me. It's great to share a more holistic understanding of plants with young scientists, helping them recognize different plant families and understand plant diversity more deeply. Practical field learning is essential, and you only truly learn when you apply it in the field. I continue exploring and documenting plant diversity, contributing to a better understanding of African biodiversity.
Life expectancy 2023
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