Banking the UK’s Seeds

The MSB (Millennium Seed Bank) has matched this with the development of an ambitious UK Programme, working to ensure the best possible quantity, quality and diversity of seed are stored in the MSB and made available for research and conservation.

The value of UK biodiversity

UK species and habitats contribute to our natural capital and the provision of goods and services such as supporting pollinators, storing carbon, flood control and human health and wellbeing.

The UK government is committed to meeting the Aichi Targets under the Convention on Biological Diversity as laid out in separate strategies of the devolved nations. The 2011 Natural Environment White Paper [1] set out the bold ambition to be the first generation to leave the natural environment of England in a better state than it was inherited. Further framework is provided by Biodiversity 2020: a Strategy for England’s Wildlife and Ecosystem Services which embeds the recommendations of the 2010 Lawton Review [2] to develop more wildlife sites and to make existing sites bigger, better managed and more joined up to form a coherent ecological network. Conservation of individual species is also highlighted.

Challenges and uncertainties

Nevertheless significant challenges are facing us. The UK State of Nature report 2016 [3] shows that biodiversity in the UK continues to show significant overall declines. UK plant species are shown to have mixed fortunes, with around half of species studied showing decline since 1970, but half showing increases in abundance. Agricultural practices are the most significant driver of changes to biodiversity, meaning decisions taken on the future of agri-environment schemes post Brexit may have huge, as yet unknown, impacts.

Climate change is also having a highly significant impact, both positive and negative – again pointing to an unpredictable future for the health of UK species and habitats. Furthermore, our native plants are facing unprecedented threats from the huge rise in new pests and diseases reaching the UK.

UK National Tree Seed Project (UKNTSP)

The UK National Tree Seed Project (UKNTSP) is taking the ambition for genetic representativeness of the collections to a higher level, for the woody flora of the UK. This is only possible through a large network of partner organisations which relies on a significant level of citizen science input.

The Forestry Commission has divided Britain into 24 biogeographic zones. We have mapped the native distribution of the woody flora against these zones and are seeking to make collections in every zone in which a species is found: already over 700 collections have been made. Wherever possible we are banking seed from individual mother trees separately. Because of the intensity of sampling, we are able to use the collections in new and innovative ways. For example, we are planning research collaborations which will compare traits of a given species (e.g. disease resistance, germination requirements) and how they vary within and between both populations and families, across their UK range.

The UK Native Seed Hub (UKNSH)

While MSB UK collections are an important resource for research, Kew has recognised, following the Lawton Review, the vital need to share our collections, knowledge, facilities and skills in order to help meet the recommendations to build bigger, better, more joined up habitats.

The UK Native Seed Hub (UKNSH) was launched to increase the quantity, quality and diversity of native plants and seeds available for conservation and habitat restoration in the UK landscape. It provides material which is not otherwise available, either because the species is difficult to source, produce commercially or because material of a specific known origin is required.

UKNSH seed beds allow us to bulk up larger quantities of priority species, and we can also produce plug plants for users. Sometimes we carry out ‘brush harvesting’ to produce seed mixes from a donor site for a suitable recipient site. The UKNSH also supports UK native seed producers and users through the provision of technical advice, specialist services and research.

We have provided plant materials, technical assistance or scientific expertise to 41 conservation projects, working with organisations including the Wildlife Trusts, the National Trust, the South Downs National Park, Natural England, E.ON-RSK and Toyota. These activities have supported the reintroduction of endangered species and the restoration of priority habitats.

The UKNSH also seeks to build awareness and demand for high quality seeds of UK natives. Such as through the development of a quality assurance mark (used by Kew’s Grow Wild project) which assures the known provenance and high viability of seed.

The UKNSH makes use of collections and data gathered through the UK Flora Project and the UK National Tree Seed Project. Recently we shared UKNTSP field data on small leafed lime to help identify seed stands which could potentially be registered to improve availability of this species.

All three projects include research to better understand the storage, germination and propagation requirements of ‘difficult’ species. The Programme also has close ties with Kew’s conservation genetics team, to better understand the population genetics of our priority species, how they can be best sampled from, and how seed can be appropriately used in the landscape.