The importance of Seed Banks for the conservation of endangered species

Although in situ conservation strategies are considered the best methods for preserving plant diversity, the ex situ conservation is a necessary and complementary method for ensuring the preservation of endangered species. One of the most effective ways to preserve ex situ the plant diversity is storage germplasm in seed banks, which allows conserving a large amount of genetic material in a small space with low risk of genetic degradation. In addition, the study of germination of seeds and propagation methods, both sexually and vegetatively, carried out by seed banks are a very useful tool to assist in situ activities and ensure effective biodiversity conservation. The Global Strategy for Plant Conservation (GSPC) stimulated the establishment of several networks for ex situ plant conservation activities at international, national and regional level. At international level plant conservation consortia have been set up, such as the Network of Mediterranean Plant Conservation Centers (GENMEDA) and the European Native Seed Conservation Network (ENSCONET). The Sardinian Germplasm Bank (BG-SAR), a facility belonging to the University of Cagliari (Italy), participates actively in these international networks; it is also a founding member of the Italian Network of Germplasm Banks for the ex situ conservation of native flora (RIBES). BG-SAR plays a central role in the conservation of Sardinian endemic, threatened and policy species, as well as taxa from insular territories of the Mediterranean region, and in the preservation of the most sensitive ecosystems of the island. To today, BG-SAR stored at -25°C and +5°C ca. 3,500 seed lots, relating to about 1500 plant taxa. The bank is a partner of the LIFE SEEDFORCE (LIFE20 NAT/IT/001468) “Using SEED banks to restore and reinFORCE the endangered native plants of Italy” (funded by the LIFE + Nature and Biodiversity Program) and of the Prioritized Action Frameworks (PAFs - financed by European funds). The first project aims to recover and reinforce the populations of native Italian plants in danger of extinction thanks to seed banks, while the second one focuses on implement the EU-wide Natura 2000 network (action 6.5.1 POR FESR 2014-2020). As part of the activities of these projects, the study cases of Ribes sardoum and Centranthus amazonum are presented. These plants are two critically endangered (CR) endemic species of priority community interest (included in Annex II of Directive 43/92/EEC) of Central-Eastern Sardinia. An integrated ex situ/ in situ approach is being undertaken to remove the threats and improving habitat and population status of these two species.