Global Tree Seed Bank Caucasus

This project aims to conserve tree species diversity and within-species genetic diversity of trees in ex situ seed banks and to increase their utility for ecological restoration in the Caucasus Biodiversity Hotspot. 

Plants are under threat of extinction globally and 25% of those in the Caucasus are endemic meaning they only exist in this region. For this project we will protect rare, threatened and endemic tree species from extinction by collecting and conserving seeds in national seed banks and at the Millennium Seed Bank. 

We will increase genetic representativeness of collections so that seed collections can be used for ecological restoration by expanding the number of populations sampled from of more common and ecologically important species. 

We will improve access to knowledge on difficult to store seeds by researching optimal storage conditions and germination protocols to assist in future restoration work. 

The resulting seed collections will support internationally agreed conservation commitments and be available for species reintroductions, habitat restoration and research.