Botanical Resources

Tasmanian Seed Conservation Centre

The Tasmanian Seed Conservation Centre (often referred to as the 'Seed Bank') is an exciting new [Photo]project located in a purpose-built laboratory at the Royal Tasmanian Botanical Gardens.

It aims to ensure the long-term security and conservation of Tasmania's unique native plant species by providing:

  • Ex-situ support for plant conservation programs;
  • Seed material to assist in the scientific study of our native plants; and
  • Long term preservation of plant biodiversity loss caused by environmental degradation.

Target species are identified and selected then seed is collected from naturally occurring specimens during field trips. The seed are then returned to the laboratory it is carefully cleaned, dried, sealed in packages then stored at -20 degrees Celsius. Half of each sample is stored on site, with the other half being sent to the Millennium Seed Bank at Kew to form part of the global collection, and also as an important back up to the local collection.

Little is known about many of Tasmania's native plants, and another benefit of the program is the degree to which it will increase knowledge of our native flora. The testing and trials carried out as part of the seed banking process will increase understanding of their reproduction and germination habits and the environmental factors that can affect them.

The operation is overseen by the Seed Bank Coordinator, with seed collection carried out by staff from the Resource Management and Conservation Unit of the Department of Primary Industries, Water and Environment, as well as by suitably qualified volunteers. Volunteers also assist in the cleaning and preparation of the seed for freezing. All collections are catalogued in a global database.

The project aims to collect and conserve 800 wild plant species from around Tasmania by the end of 2009.