Skip to main content
Top
Published in: Biodiversity and Conservation 3/2017

05-12-2016 | Original Paper

Gaps in seed banking are compromising the GSPC’s Target 8 in a megadiverse country

Authors: Alberto L. Teixido, Peter E. Toorop, Udayangani Liu, Guilherme V. T. Ribeiro, Lisieux F. Fuzessy, Tadeu J. Guerra, Fernando A. O. Silveira

Published in: Biodiversity and Conservation | Issue 3/2017

Log in

Activate our intelligent search to find suitable subject content or patents.

search-config
loading …

Abstract

Ex situ seed conservation is an effective strategy to help safeguarding plants from extinction. The updated Global Strategy for Plant Conservation’s (GSPC) Target 8 aims to include 75% of threatened plant species in ex situ collections by 2020, preferably in the country of origin. Halfway through the updated GSPC program, we evaluate the current state of knowledge and practice of ex situ seed conservation of threatened species from megadiverse Brazilian flora, contributing to this Target. We identify knowledge gaps and costs to achieve Target 8 through seed banking in Brazil within the time constraints of the GSPC and in a scenario of recent science budget funding cuts. Knowledge on seed storage behavior is available only for 24 Brazilian species (1.3%). Seed desiccation tolerance was concluded for 175 of 228 species, feasibly allowing safe storage of most Brazilian species at sub-zero temperatures. However, only 26 species (1.3%) are effectively banked in research institutions. Surprisingly, the percentage of banked threatened species hardly increased in the first 5 years since the update of the Target (0.55%, 2011–2015), and Brazil now faces the challenge of banking almost 1500 species during 2016–2020. Despite a major lack of commitment of Brazilian institutions and of knowledge to achieve the Target, the costs for banking the remaining species were estimated to be only US$3.9 million. We call for a nationwide coordinated effort of government agencies, policy makers and research institutions to include ex situ seed conservation in the environmental agenda to pursue achievement of the Target by 2020.

Dont have a licence yet? Then find out more about our products and how to get one now:

Springer Professional "Wirtschaft+Technik"

Online-Abonnement

Mit Springer Professional "Wirtschaft+Technik" erhalten Sie Zugriff auf:

  • über 102.000 Bücher
  • über 537 Zeitschriften

aus folgenden Fachgebieten:

  • Automobil + Motoren
  • Bauwesen + Immobilien
  • Business IT + Informatik
  • Elektrotechnik + Elektronik
  • Energie + Nachhaltigkeit
  • Finance + Banking
  • Management + Führung
  • Marketing + Vertrieb
  • Maschinenbau + Werkstoffe
  • Versicherung + Risiko

Jetzt Wissensvorsprung sichern!

Springer Professional "Technik"

Online-Abonnement

Mit Springer Professional "Technik" erhalten Sie Zugriff auf:

  • über 67.000 Bücher
  • über 390 Zeitschriften

aus folgenden Fachgebieten:

  • Automobil + Motoren
  • Bauwesen + Immobilien
  • Business IT + Informatik
  • Elektrotechnik + Elektronik
  • Energie + Nachhaltigkeit
  • Maschinenbau + Werkstoffe




 

Jetzt Wissensvorsprung sichern!

Appendix
Available only for authorised users
Literature
go back to reference Alton S, Linington S (2001) The UK Flora Programme of the Millenium Seed Bank Project: the outcome of a collaboration between volunteers and professionals. Plant Genet Resour Newsl 128:1–10 Alton S, Linington S (2001) The UK Flora Programme of the Millenium Seed Bank Project: the outcome of a collaboration between volunteers and professionals. Plant Genet Resour Newsl 128:1–10
go back to reference Bernard E, Penna LAO, Araújo E (2014) Downgrading, downsizing, degazettement, and reclassification of protected areas in Brazil. Conserv Biol 28:939–950CrossRefPubMed Bernard E, Penna LAO, Araújo E (2014) Downgrading, downsizing, degazettement, and reclassification of protected areas in Brazil. Conserv Biol 28:939–950CrossRefPubMed
go back to reference Cai J (2015) Seed conservation of China’s flora through the germplasm bank of wild species. BGjournal 12:22–24 Cai J (2015) Seed conservation of China’s flora through the germplasm bank of wild species. BGjournal 12:22–24
go back to reference CBD (2010) Conference of the Parties 10 Decision X/17. Consolidated update of the Global Strategy for Plant Conservation 2011–2020. Convention on Biological Diversity, Nagoya CBD (2010) Conference of the Parties 10 Decision X/17. Consolidated update of the Global Strategy for Plant Conservation 2011–2020. Convention on Biological Diversity, Nagoya
go back to reference CHABG (2011) Safeguarding Australia’s flora through a national network of native plant seed banks: business plan 2011–2020. The Council of Heads of Australian Botanic Gardens Inc., Canberra CHABG (2011) Safeguarding Australia’s flora through a national network of native plant seed banks: business plan 2011–2020. The Council of Heads of Australian Botanic Gardens Inc., Canberra
go back to reference Dias BS, Hoft R (2013) Challenges facing implementation of the Global Strategy for Plant Conservation in Brazil. In: Martinelli G, Moraes MA (eds) Red Book of Brazilian flora. Nacional Center for Flora Conservation, Rio de Janeiro Botanical Garden, Rio de Janeiro, pp 26–39. http://www.cncflora.jbrj.gov.br. Accessed 10 Oct 2016 Dias BS, Hoft R (2013) Challenges facing implementation of the Global Strategy for Plant Conservation in Brazil. In: Martinelli G, Moraes MA (eds) Red Book of Brazilian flora. Nacional Center for Flora Conservation, Rio de Janeiro Botanical Garden, Rio de Janeiro, pp 26–39. http://​www.​cncflora.​jbrj.​gov.​br. Accessed 10 Oct 2016
go back to reference Ellis RH, Hong TD, Roberts EH (1990) An intermediate category of seed storage behavior? J Exp Bot 41:1167–1174CrossRef Ellis RH, Hong TD, Roberts EH (1990) An intermediate category of seed storage behavior? J Exp Bot 41:1167–1174CrossRef
go back to reference Ferreira J, Aragão LEOC, Barlow J, Barreto P, Berenguer E, Bustamante M et al (2014) Brazil’s environmental leadership at risk. Science 346:706–707CrossRefPubMed Ferreira J, Aragão LEOC, Barlow J, Barreto P, Berenguer E, Bustamante M et al (2014) Brazil’s environmental leadership at risk. Science 346:706–707CrossRefPubMed
go back to reference Forzza RC, Baumgratz JFA, Bicudo CEM, Canhos DA, Carvalho AA, Coelho MAN, Lohmann LG (2012) New Brazilian floristic list highlights conservation challenges. Bioscience 62:39–45CrossRef Forzza RC, Baumgratz JFA, Bicudo CEM, Canhos DA, Carvalho AA, Coelho MAN, Lohmann LG (2012) New Brazilian floristic list highlights conservation challenges. Bioscience 62:39–45CrossRef
go back to reference Fu Y, Ahmed Z, Diederichsen A (2015) Towards a better monitoring of seed ageing under ex situ seed conservation. Conserv Physiol 3:1–16CrossRef Fu Y, Ahmed Z, Diederichsen A (2015) Towards a better monitoring of seed ageing under ex situ seed conservation. Conserv Physiol 3:1–16CrossRef
go back to reference Galluzzi G, Halewood M, López Noriega I, Vernooy R (2016) Twenty-five years of international exchanges of plant genetic resources facilitated by the CGIAR genebanks: a case study on global interdependence. Biodivers Conserv 25:1421–1446CrossRef Galluzzi G, Halewood M, López Noriega I, Vernooy R (2016) Twenty-five years of international exchanges of plant genetic resources facilitated by the CGIAR genebanks: a case study on global interdependence. Biodivers Conserv 25:1421–1446CrossRef
go back to reference Garcia LC, Ribeiro DB, Roque FO, Ochoa-Quintero JM, Laurance WE (2016) Brazil’s worst mining disaster: corporations must be compelled to pay the actual environmental costs. Ecol Applic. doi:10.1002/eap.1461 Garcia LC, Ribeiro DB, Roque FO, Ochoa-Quintero JM, Laurance WE (2016) Brazil’s worst mining disaster: corporations must be compelled to pay the actual environmental costs. Ecol Applic. doi:10.​1002/​eap.​1461
go back to reference Godefroid S, Vyver AV, Vanderborght T (2010) Germination capacity and viability of threatened species collections in seed banks. Biodivers Conserv 19:1365–1383CrossRef Godefroid S, Vyver AV, Vanderborght T (2010) Germination capacity and viability of threatened species collections in seed banks. Biodivers Conserv 19:1365–1383CrossRef
go back to reference Godefroid S, Rivière S, Waldren S, Boretos N, Eastwood R, Vanderborght T (2011) To what extent are threatened European plant species conserved in seed banks? Biol Conserv 144:1494–1498CrossRef Godefroid S, Rivière S, Waldren S, Boretos N, Eastwood R, Vanderborght T (2011) To what extent are threatened European plant species conserved in seed banks? Biol Conserv 144:1494–1498CrossRef
go back to reference Hardwick KA, Fiedler P, Lee LC, Pavlik B, Hobbs RJ, Aronson J et al (2011) The role of botanic gardens in the science and practice of ecological restoration. Conserv Biol 5:265–275 Hardwick KA, Fiedler P, Lee LC, Pavlik B, Hobbs RJ, Aronson J et al (2011) The role of botanic gardens in the science and practice of ecological restoration. Conserv Biol 5:265–275
go back to reference Havens K, Vitt P, Maunder M, Guerrant EO Jr, Dixon K (2006) Ex-situ plant conservation and beyond. Bioscience 56:525–531CrossRef Havens K, Vitt P, Maunder M, Guerrant EO Jr, Dixon K (2006) Ex-situ plant conservation and beyond. Bioscience 56:525–531CrossRef
go back to reference Kildisheva OA, Erickson TE, Merritt DJ, Dixon KW (2016) Setting the scene for dryland recovery: an overview and key findings from a workshop targeting seed-based restoration. Restor Ecol 24:36–42CrossRef Kildisheva OA, Erickson TE, Merritt DJ, Dixon KW (2016) Setting the scene for dryland recovery: an overview and key findings from a workshop targeting seed-based restoration. Restor Ecol 24:36–42CrossRef
go back to reference León-Lobos P, Wayc M, Arandad PD, Lima-Juniore M (2012) The role of ex situ seed banks in the conservation of plant diversity and in ecological restoration in Latin America. Plant Ecol Divers 5:245–258CrossRef León-Lobos P, Wayc M, Arandad PD, Lima-Juniore M (2012) The role of ex situ seed banks in the conservation of plant diversity and in ecological restoration in Latin America. Plant Ecol Divers 5:245–258CrossRef
go back to reference Li DZ, Pritchard HW (2009) The science and economics of ex situ plant conservation. Trends Plant Sci 14:1360–1385CrossRef Li DZ, Pritchard HW (2009) The science and economics of ex situ plant conservation. Trends Plant Sci 14:1360–1385CrossRef
go back to reference Maunder M, Guerrant EO, Havens K, Dixon KW (2004) Realizing the full potential of ex situ contributions to global plant conservation. In: Guerrant EO, Havens K, Maunder M (eds) Ex situ plant conservation: supporting species survival in the wild. Island Press, Washington DC, pp 389–418 Maunder M, Guerrant EO, Havens K, Dixon KW (2004) Realizing the full potential of ex situ contributions to global plant conservation. In: Guerrant EO, Havens K, Maunder M (eds) Ex situ plant conservation: supporting species survival in the wild. Island Press, Washington DC, pp 389–418
go back to reference MMA (2014) Portaria MMA/443/2014 of 17 December 2014 on the “Lista Nacional de Espécies da Flora Ameaçadas de Extinção”. Ministério do Meio Ambiente, Brasília MMA (2014) Portaria MMA/443/2014 of 17 December 2014 on the “Lista Nacional de Espécies da Flora Ameaçadas de Extinção”. Ministério do Meio Ambiente, Brasília
go back to reference MMA (2015) Fifth National Report to the CBD: Brazil. Ministério do Meio Ambiente, Brasília MMA (2015) Fifth National Report to the CBD: Brazil. Ministério do Meio Ambiente, Brasília
go back to reference Myers N, Mittermeier RA, Mittermeier CG, Fonseca GAB, Kent J (2000) Biodiversity hotspots for conservation priorities. Nature 403:853–858CrossRefPubMed Myers N, Mittermeier RA, Mittermeier CG, Fonseca GAB, Kent J (2000) Biodiversity hotspots for conservation priorities. Nature 403:853–858CrossRefPubMed
go back to reference Nepstad D, Soares-Filho BS, Merry F, Lima A, Moutinho P, Carter J et al (2009) The end of deforestation in the Brazilian Amazon. Science 326:1350–1351CrossRefPubMed Nepstad D, Soares-Filho BS, Merry F, Lima A, Moutinho P, Carter J et al (2009) The end of deforestation in the Brazilian Amazon. Science 326:1350–1351CrossRefPubMed
go back to reference Oliveira U, Paglia AP, Brescovit AD, Carvalho CJB, Silva DP, Rezende DT, Leite FSF et al (2016) The strong influence of collection bias on biodiversity knowledge shortfalls of Brazilian terrestrial biodiversity. Divers Distrib. doi:10.1111/ddi.12489 Oliveira U, Paglia AP, Brescovit AD, Carvalho CJB, Silva DP, Rezende DT, Leite FSF et al (2016) The strong influence of collection bias on biodiversity knowledge shortfalls of Brazilian terrestrial biodiversity. Divers Distrib. doi:10.​1111/​ddi.​12489
go back to reference Pritchard HW, Moat JF, Ferraz JBS, Marks TM, Camargo JLC, Nadarajan J, Ferraz IDK (2014) Innovative approaches to the preservation of forest trees. For Ecol Manag 333:88–98CrossRef Pritchard HW, Moat JF, Ferraz JBS, Marks TM, Camargo JLC, Nadarajan J, Ferraz IDK (2014) Innovative approaches to the preservation of forest trees. For Ecol Manag 333:88–98CrossRef
go back to reference Ribeiro GVT, Teixido AL, Barbosa NPU, Silveira FAO (2016) Assessing bias and knowledge gaps on seed ecology research: implications for conservation agenda and policy. Ecol Appl 26:2033–2043CrossRefPubMed Ribeiro GVT, Teixido AL, Barbosa NPU, Silveira FAO (2016) Assessing bias and knowledge gaps on seed ecology research: implications for conservation agenda and policy. Ecol Appl 26:2033–2043CrossRefPubMed
go back to reference Roberts EH (1973) Predicting the storage life of seeds. Seed Sci Technol 1:499–514 Roberts EH (1973) Predicting the storage life of seeds. Seed Sci Technol 1:499–514
go back to reference Schoen DJ, Brown AH (2001) The conservation of wild plant species in seed banks attention to both taxonomic coverage and population biology will improve the role of seed banks as conservation tools. Bioscience 51:960–966CrossRef Schoen DJ, Brown AH (2001) The conservation of wild plant species in seed banks attention to both taxonomic coverage and population biology will improve the role of seed banks as conservation tools. Bioscience 51:960–966CrossRef
go back to reference Sharrock S, Oldfield S, Wilson O (2014) Plant Conservation Report 2014: A review of progress in implementation of the Global Strategy for Plant Conservation 2011–2020. CBD, Montréal, and BGCI, Richmond Sharrock S, Oldfield S, Wilson O (2014) Plant Conservation Report 2014: A review of progress in implementation of the Global Strategy for Plant Conservation 2011–2020. CBD, Montréal, and BGCI, Richmond
go back to reference Soares-Filho B, Rajão R, Macedo M, Carneiro A, Costa W, Coe M et al (2014) Cracking Brazil’s forest code. Science 344:363–364CrossRefPubMed Soares-Filho B, Rajão R, Macedo M, Carneiro A, Costa W, Coe M et al (2014) Cracking Brazil’s forest code. Science 344:363–364CrossRefPubMed
go back to reference Sousa-Baena MS, Garcia LC, Peterson AT (2014) Knowledge behind conservation status decisions: data basis for “Data Deficient” Brazilian plant species. Biol Conserv 173:80–89CrossRef Sousa-Baena MS, Garcia LC, Peterson AT (2014) Knowledge behind conservation status decisions: data basis for “Data Deficient” Brazilian plant species. Biol Conserv 173:80–89CrossRef
go back to reference ter Steege H, Pitman NC, Killeen TJ, Laurance WF, Peres CA, Guevara JE (2015) Estimating the global conservation status of more than 15,000 Amazonian tree species. Sci Adv 1:e1500936CrossRefPubMedPubMedCentral ter Steege H, Pitman NC, Killeen TJ, Laurance WF, Peres CA, Guevara JE (2015) Estimating the global conservation status of more than 15,000 Amazonian tree species. Sci Adv 1:e1500936CrossRefPubMedPubMedCentral
go back to reference Walters C, Wheeler LJ, Grotenhuis JM (2005) Longevity of seeds stored in a genebank: species characteristics. Seed Sci Res 15:1–20CrossRef Walters C, Wheeler LJ, Grotenhuis JM (2005) Longevity of seeds stored in a genebank: species characteristics. Seed Sci Res 15:1–20CrossRef
go back to reference Walters C, Berjak P, Pammenter N, Kennedy K, Raven P (2013) Preservation of recalcitrant seeds. Science 339:915–916CrossRefPubMed Walters C, Berjak P, Pammenter N, Kennedy K, Raven P (2013) Preservation of recalcitrant seeds. Science 339:915–916CrossRefPubMed
go back to reference Weigand Jr R, Silva DC, Silva DO (2011) Metas de Aichi: situação atual no Brasil. UICN, WWF-Brasil and IPÊ, Brasília Weigand Jr R, Silva DC, Silva DO (2011) Metas de Aichi: situação atual no Brasil. UICN, WWF-Brasil and IPÊ, Brasília
Metadata
Title
Gaps in seed banking are compromising the GSPC’s Target 8 in a megadiverse country
Authors
Alberto L. Teixido
Peter E. Toorop
Udayangani Liu
Guilherme V. T. Ribeiro
Lisieux F. Fuzessy
Tadeu J. Guerra
Fernando A. O. Silveira
Publication date
05-12-2016
Publisher
Springer Netherlands
Published in
Biodiversity and Conservation / Issue 3/2017
Print ISSN: 0960-3115
Electronic ISSN: 1572-9710
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1007/s10531-016-1267-7

Other articles of this Issue 3/2017

Biodiversity and Conservation 3/2017 Go to the issue