Moving beyond seed storage in tackling plant loss: linking seed collection and re-introduction

Abstract

Globally, plants are becoming extinct at an unprecedented rate. Seed banking is considered as the most cost-effective technique to preserve many conservation concern species. From a practical standpoint, however, banking seeds is essentially just the first step in tackling plant loss, as the real-life challenge lies in how well these seeds when re-introduced become whole plants and maintain species count. In the current model, merely very few seed banks extend their efforts in re-introduction problems. Compelling evidence suggests that many re-introduction efforts are less than successful. Such axiom convicts seed banks must also participate in the ‘post-storage’ process and engage working with other ecologists, physiologists and re-introduction practitioners to devise a robust re-introduction practice and exchange information about the seed lot including collection site, maternal environment etc. Bridging these gaps would facilitate enhanced restoration practice and pave way for efficient reconstruction of the ecosystem.