Ex situ conservation of wild plants in the seed bank

Abstract

Ex situ seed conservation is one of the most effective ways to conserve wild forest tree species. We present examples of the millennium seed bank in the United Kingdom and Japanese seed bank projects and examine problems with the seed conservation of wild species. To conserve the seeds of wild species, effective seed collection and appropriate preservation processing adapted to seed traits are important. New methods involving prediction models and simple seed desiccation should be effective. The quality of seed banks should be improved by obtaining information on seed traits, such as desiccation tolerance, germination behavior, and seed dormancy. To increase this body of information, it is necessary to share information through collaboration between domestic and foreign seed banks.