The Role of Seed Banks in Habitat Restoration and Recovery

Plants are the primary producers of the ecosystems on Earth. However, the alarming decline in plant diversity due to wide scale destruction of natural habitats had initiated conservationists, researchers, and scientists to study plant restoration and recovery extensively. Hence, restoration and recovery of disturbed habitats has become a priority to prevent further loss of ecosystems. Fortunately, there are two broad methods of conservation that are utilized to protect and conserve species: in situ conservation and ex situ conservation. In situ conservation is the process of conserving species within their natural habitat. On the other hand, ex situ conservation utilize the removal of species from its natural habitat to protect plant population from the dangers within their natural habitat that may cause genetic deterioration or physical destruction. Seed banks, a form of ex situ conservation, utilize static genetic conservation that allows for the opportunity to retain their structure, as well as prevent genetic loss of the original population.

Samples of plant species within seed banks are collected and utilized for research and education, material resource for habitat restoration and management, and for the reintroduction and reinforcement of plant species into their natural habitat. Seed banks provide a continuous supply of reproductive material. In order for them to remain viable, the seeds must be stored in low moisture and low temperature conditions (Figure 1).

Figure 1. The critical moisture contents for various seeds. Seeds maintain viability when dried to 5% moisture content and stored at -20º C within the seed bank condition.

A habitat may be disturbed due to a variety of causes, such as invasive species, diseases and pathogens, direct human activity, or climate change. Therefore, it is vital for the seeds of vulnerable plants to be collected for two main reasons. Firstly, it is important to study the species and obtain valuable information regarding how the plants may be stressed due to the disturbance, and examine methods to possibly increase their tolerance or quality so progeny are more suited for the environment. Secondly, any seeds that are collected and are viable provide the opportunity to be replanted if necessary. Typically, seed banks are used complementary to attempts made to recover a habitat directly in the field. Sustainability within the habitat is based on returning abiotic factors such as water pH or soil quality, and biotic factors such as overgrazing, to conditions that are naturally occurring. Restoration and recovery of habitat through seed banks attempts to provide a longer term goal to conserve both genetic diversity, and biodiversity. Together, these two methods provide the greatest likelihood for recovery.

More can be done in order to increase the effectiveness of seed banks in use today. A study on shrub species Lambertia echinate illustrated that upon germination of seeds collected from seed banks, seed survival decreases over time (Figure 2). This indicated that seed banks must shift from being “stamp-collections” of species to a collection that can deliver seeds ready for restoration at scale that exceeds a metric ton.

Figure 2. Mortality rate over growth stages for Lambertia echinate during experimental translocation (Guerrant et al, 2004).

Unfortunately, no seed banks can be found within Glendon Campus at York University. However, implementing a seed bank would be extremely advantageous, as any efforts made to preserve genetic diversity and maintain collections of specimens are useful for future implementation and restoration projects. For example, the Royal Botanical Gardens in Burlington, Ontario, has put together various restoration programs that aim to restore both terrestrial and wetland habitats, and reverse any harm that has been done to their ecosystems. Canadian protected areas agencies work with gardens such as these to implement effective and efficient principles for restoration and recovery. In conclusion, seed banks can be used for industry and community-based restoration initiatives that take into account traditional ecological knowledge.

Resources

Ex situ plant conservation supporting   species survival in the wild.

The role of the seed bank in recovery of temperate heath and blanket bog following wildfires.

The science and economics of ex situ plant conservation.

Restoration seed banks, a matter of scale.

The conservation of wild plant species in seed banks.

Royal Botanical Gardens

Rafflesia arnoldii, the world’s largest flower

You’d think that a plant called the “stinking corpse lily” would not be too pleasant to look at. However, this flower is aesthetically alluring. The troublesome element of Rafflesia arnoldii is their smell, which is similar to that of decaying meat. They use their odor to attract insects such as flies and other pollinators in order to perpetuate the species. Because these plants don’t produce chlorophyll, they can’t complete the entire process of the photosynthesis. As a result, their smell is the only way of survival. Unfortunately, only 10-20% of the seedlings make it. To make matters worse, it only blossoms from 3 to 7 days, every nine months.

As previously mentioned, Rafflesia arnoldii is the largest individually produced flower in the world. They have the potential to grow 3 feet across and weigh up to 25 pounds. Even though they lack any visible leaves, stems or roots, they are still considered vascular plants. Their buds are often used for traditional medicine, such as promoting delivery and recovery during and after childbirth. They are also used as an aphrodisiac. None of these uses are chemically proven, but these plants are an iconic symbol of southeast Asia, particularly Indonesia, and have a superstitious meaning surrounding them.

This species is endemic, meaning that it is unique to the defined geographic location of southeastern Asian rain forests. Rafflesia arnoldii are parasitic plants that live on the vines of Tetrastigma, a genus of plants in the grape family. They obtain nutrients and water from their hosts. 

 

Rafflesia arnoldii are listed as critically endangered, and there are a variety of reasons for this. As mentioned above, only one-fifth of their seedlings go on to be successful, their buds take months to develop, and the duration that they are in blossom is extremely short. Additionally, the flowers are unisexual, meaning that successful pollination only occurs when the pollinators have traveled to both the male and female plants. Because of the uniqueness of this plant, they garner a lot of attention by tourists which often results in disturbed bud production. Eco-tourism is trying its best to raise awareness and increase conservation efforts in the hopes of saving these plants.

 

References

10 of the World’s Strangest Plant Species

Information regarding Rafflesia arnoldii

The World’s Largest Flower

The Art of Botanical Architecture

There are a number of buildings that catch our eye as we’re driving down the highway, or walking through downtown Toronto, but a German design group has taken building architecture to a whole new level. Professor Gerd de Bruyn of the University of Stuttgart initiated a project called “Baubotanik” which translates to “living plant construction”. Baubotanik consists of engineers, architects and natural scientists that focus on transforming trees and plants into living botanical structures.

 

 

These structures combine non-living material and living vegetation that take a few decades to grow, depending on the plants used. Professor de Bruyn describes it as “single plants merge into a new and bigger overall organism”. Plants are the primary components of each building, therefore increasing spatial and aesthetic quality. Not to mention, these buildings literally produce oxygen, and lock in carbon.

One of the many goals of Baubotanik is to utilize these buildings in growing metropolises and urban areas as three-dimensional  “pocket parks”. This would create ecologically friendly spaces within densely populated cities while taking up minimal area. A great advantage of having a botanical building is the fact that, they are self-repairing! These buildings always adjust their growth to the environmental factors of that particular location and repair damages on their own. As these plants grow, less scaffolding and metal beams are necessary to provide support, and are therefore removed. In many cases, you can end up with an entirely living structure.

There are three types of buildings that differ in shape:

1. Plane-Tree-Cube Nagold: the largest of the three buildings, and the most likely to be utilized within urban settings. Primarily uses the tree Platanus acerifolia.
2. The Baubotanik Tower: an area of eight square metres and a height of nine metres, with 3 walk-able levels.
3. The Footbridge: built with approximately 12-15 common osier (Salix viminalis) plants. This particular species of plant absorbs the load of the bridge and redirects it into the ground, where the structure is anchored by its roots.

 

 

The process of creating these buildings include planning out the technical, conceptual, economical and botanical aspects of each structure. A lot of time and effort is taken to decide what species of plants would be best suited for the type of structure that is being built. Baubotanik has tested many types of plants in order to determine what are the most appropriate ecologically and structurally for buildings. They looked for plants that could grow particularly long, be able to bend around a narrow radii, and have the potential of bark or wood tissue fusion. Their research concluded that plane trees (Platanus acerifolia) were the best suited species of tree for these breathing buildings.

At first glance, this may seem like a modern concept. However, these types of buildings can be found in a variety of cultural contexts throughout history. This “prehistorical bio-engineering” has previously been used in Europe, where communities would take advantage of this particular gardening technology. Today, this botanical technique is practiced by a tribe called Khasi, in the Indian rain forest. They utilize the roots of rubber trees, by intertwining them into a net-like structure. Eventually, the entire structure grows together and forms a living bridge.

 

Baubotanik Website

Article by Seeker