Global Heating and Plant Survival: Why Seed Banks May Not Be Enough As global temperatures continue to rise, the survival of plants is of ever-increasing concern. Scientists have developed a method for preserving seeds in “seed banks” that store them in soil until more favorable conditions arrive. Unfortunately, a recent study from the Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences indicates that this traditional method is unlikely to save flora as climate change progresses. What Is a Seed Bank? A seed bank is a method of preserving plant species that have been endangered or threatened by human activities such as deforestation, climate change, and more. It involves collecting the seeds of wild plants and storing them in a safe environment, usually soil, until environmental conditions permit them to germinate and be replanted. The main aim of a seed bank is to enable species to adapt to changes in their environment, even when changes occur very quickly. What Research Has Been Done on Seed Banks and Climate Change? In the recent study from the Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, researchers looked at the effectiveness of seed banks in the face of climate change. They compared seeds stored in soil with seeds stored in a dry environment and found that the dry-stored seeds germinated better and produced healthier seedlings than the soil-stored ones, suggesting that the traditional seed banking method is not successful for preserving species in the face of climate change. Why Are Seed Banks Not Effective in the Face of Climate Change? Many scientists have suggested that the traditional seed banking method is not effective in the face of global warming. This is because the conditions in which the seeds are stored are not ideal for the seeds’ survival. When the ground warms, it increases the speed at which the seeds mature and decreases the number of viable seeds that are produced. Furthermore, warmer climates also tend to reduce the soil’s moisture content, which reduces seed viability even further. What Alternatives to Seed Banks Are Available? While seed banks may not be the best way to preserve endangered species in the face of climate change, there are some alternative strategies that can help. One alternative is to plant the species in colder climates, as this will slow their maturation process. Another option is to collect seeds from the wild and store them in a dry environment until ready for replanting, as this ensures that the seeds will remain viable for a longer period of time. Conclusion The ongoing global heating has placed the survival of plants in jeopardy. For years, seed banks have been a popular method of preserving endangered or threatened species. However, a recent study from the Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences has revealed that storing seeds in soil, the traditional seed banking method, is likely to be ineffective in the face of climate change. As a result, alternative strategies such as planting in cold climates and collecting wild seeds and storing them in dry conditions must be considered if we are to successfully preserve flora in the face of global warming. Keywords: Global Heating, Seed Bank, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, Plant Survival, Climate Change, Wild Plants, Viable Seeds, Dry Environment, Cold Climates
https://www.lifetechnology.com/blogs/life-technology-science-news/natural-seed-banks-are-detrimental-to-biodiversity-according-to-new-study
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