Seed Banks

Definition

Seed banks are facilities or organizations that collect, store, and preserve seeds from various plant species to safeguard genetic diversity and provide resources for agriculture, research, and conservation. They play a crucial role in maintaining the genetic material necessary for food security and biodiversity, especially in the context of changing environmental conditions and climate change.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. Seed banks serve as a backup against the loss of crop varieties due to climate change, disease, and other threats, ensuring future food security.
2. Many seed banks also focus on preserving indigenous plant species that may have important cultural and ecological value.
3. The Svalbard Global Seed Vault is one of the most famous seed banks, designed to hold a wide range of seeds from around the world as a global insurance policy.
4. Seed banks can utilize techniques like cryopreservation to keep seeds viable for long periods, sometimes extending to hundreds of years.
5. Seed bank programs often collaborate with local farmers and communities to ensure that traditional varieties are preserved alongside modern agricultural crops.

Review Questions

• How do seed banks contribute to preserving agricultural biodiversity and what impact does this have on food security?
  • Seed banks contribute to preserving agricultural biodiversity by collecting and storing a wide range of plant seeds, including both traditional varieties and modern cultivars. This preservation ensures that diverse genetic material is available to adapt crops to changing conditions and challenges such as pests, diseases, or climate fluctuations. By safeguarding this diversity, seed banks play a crucial role in supporting global food security by providing resources for breeding new varieties that can withstand future environmental stresses.
• Discuss the significance of cryopreservation in seed banks and how it enhances seed viability over time.
  • Cryopreservation is significant in seed banks because it allows for the long-term storage of seeds by cooling them to extremely low temperatures, effectively halting biological activity. This method enhances seed viability by significantly slowing down aging processes and preventing degradation over time. As a result, seeds stored through cryopreservation can remain viable for many years or even centuries, ensuring that genetic diversity is maintained for future agricultural use and research.
• Evaluate the role of seed banks in addressing the challenges posed by climate change on global agriculture and ecosystems.
  • Seed banks play a pivotal role in addressing climate change challenges by preserving a vast array of plant genetic resources that can be utilized in breeding programs aimed at developing resilient crop varieties. As climate change alters growing conditions, these stored seeds become critical for reintroducing diverse traits into agricultural systems. Furthermore, seed banks support ecosystems by ensuring that native plant species are conserved, promoting ecosystem health and stability. Their proactive approach helps mitigate risks associated with climate variability while supporting sustainable agricultural practices.

Related terms

Genetic Diversity: The total number of genetic characteristics in the genetic makeup of a species, which is vital for the adaptability and resilience of populations.

Cryopreservation: A process used to preserve cells, tissues, or organs by cooling them to sub-zero temperatures to halt all biological activity, often used in seed banks for long-term storage.

Agricultural Biodiversity: The variety of plants and animals cultivated for food production, including traditional varieties and modern cultivars, essential for sustainable agriculture.