Conventional seed banking to support species survival in the wild: Introduction

Authors: Walters, Christina; MASCHINSKI, JOYCE - Center For Plant Conservation (CPC)

Submitted to: Book Chapter
Publication Type: Book / Chapter
Publication Acceptance Date: 8/13/2019
Publication Date: 8/16/2019
Citation: Walters, C., Maschinski, J. 2019. Conventional seed banking to support species survival in the wild: Introduction. In: Falk, D., Holsinger, K., Wieland, G., Olwell, P., Millar, C., Guerrant, E.O., Havens, J.K., Maunder, M., Haskins, K., editors. CPC Best Plant Conservation Practices to Support Species Survival in the Wild. Escondido, CA: Center for Plant Conservation. p. 1-9.

Interpretive Summary: n/a

Technical Abstract: Conventional seed banking is a fundamental plant conservation practice within the CPC network and around the world. In 1995, CPC published Guidelines for the Management of Orthodox Seeds (Wieland 1995). These guidelines presented practical advice for preserving the genetic diversity of seeds of the rarest plant species in North America based upon the best science of the period. That publication blossomed from a partnership with the ARS-USDA National Laboratory for Genetic Resources Preservation in Fort Collins, Colorado. NLGRP staff, excellent facilities and collaborative research with CPC conservation officers have been central to the growing understanding of how to store wild seed while maintaining viability. Much has stayed the same since the 1995 publication; however, this updated version details some of the technological advances that have emerged over the last 25 years. The introduction describes seed storage behaviors according to traditional categories and puts these into perspective with current biophysical understanding of the preservation stresses and seed responses.