Seed Banks: the final lifeline of the world

Gene banks, seed banks and seed vaults — why are they needed

A small Seed Bank

All of these methods of preserving genetic information and natural species of plants is to prepare for the worst case scenario. That even in the disastrous case of widespread habitat destruction there is the possibility of a varied and healthy ecosystem.

They are often also called seed vaults and many countries have their own reginal collection. But if you have already heard of a seed vault, you probably would have come across the Svalbard Global Seed Vault. Currently containing1,255,332 seed samples, but with the Capacity for many more.

Founded in 2008 the seed bank is now 15 years old. And is located on Svalbard Island, North of Norway, well into the arctic circle. The temperature is kept at -18° Celsius for the seeds.

Svalbard Global Seed Vault

Its also important that not all seed banks are in place to avoid catastrophic environmental extinction. But rather to learn from and understand the world better. Many seed Vaults are connected to educational or environmental institutions that study plants and species.

Local and private seed banks are also formed for a number of reasons. When a armer saves the best seed from their crop each year this is a small seed collection. And as a community does this, they ensure variety in their local ecosystems. Moving on to a regional scale, in the UK The Millennium Seed Bank (MSB) is the largest wild plant bank, and takes contribution currently from 99 countries.

Millennium Seed Bank

Related Topics: Guerrilla Gardening, Heirloom Plant Varieties, Beekeeping.

Learn more about Seed banks

[embed]What Is A Seed Bank And Why Is It Important? - Woodland Trust Protecting trees and woods Threats to woods and trees Threats to woodland, wildlife and the wider environment are…www.woodlandtrust.org.uk