Collections for Use in Restoration

In South Africa the MSBP has supported the restoration of the natural areas at Kenilworth race course in Cape Town.

In some cases partners are focusing on collecting seeds in support of habitat restoration programmes.

Seed banks can support restoration in many ways. Seed bank material can be used directly in restoration projects or seed banking can provide a back-up to new site management programmes.

In addition, seed banks can provide advice and technical assistance for those carrying out restoration, for example in identifying and monitoring important plant populations, in seed collecting, seed germination and propagation of wild species.

The MSBP seeks to support all such activities. For example, in Madagascar the MSBP works with Quebec Madagascar Minerals. We are helping them to store seed from priority tree species from the littoral forest surrounding the titanium dioxide mine, and providing information on the species' germination and propagation needs.

In South Africa the MSBP has supported the restoration of the natural areas at Kenilworth race course in Cape Town. We provided training and assistance in seed collecting and stored seed from priority species before a burn was carried out to aid the recovery of this habitat.

Bison grazing on Konza Prairie, Kansas. USA (Photo: Chicago Botanic Gardens)

In the USA the Seeds of Success Program aims to increase the number of species and the amount of native seed available for use in stabilising, rehabilitation and restoration of lands in the USA. Partners target collecting at the ecoregion level. In Chicago, partners are aiming to collect all species characteristic of the central tallgrass prairie.