Can alpine plant species “bank” on conservation?: Using artificial aging to understand seed longevity
Abstract Premise To conserve native plants, many institutions are turning toward ex‐situ conservation methods, such as storage in seed banks; however, not all seeds are able to survive in seed bank conditions, or may not in the long term. Experimental aging has shown that alpine species lose viabili...
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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Wiley
2022-09-01
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| Series: | Applications in Plant Sciences |
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| Online Access: | https://doi.org/10.1002/aps3.11493 |
| _version_ | 1811251283125862400 |
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| author | Alexandra E. Seglias |
| author_facet | Alexandra E. Seglias |
| author_sort | Alexandra E. Seglias |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Abstract Premise To conserve native plants, many institutions are turning toward ex‐situ conservation methods, such as storage in seed banks; however, not all seeds are able to survive in seed bank conditions, or may not in the long term. Experimental aging has shown that alpine species lose viability more quickly than low‐elevation species. Furthermore, the germination requirements for rare species are largely unknown, but are a necessary first step in understanding storage behavior and viability decline. Methods Five alpine species were subjected to germination and accelerated aging experiments to understand their longevity in storage. For the accelerated aging experiment, the seeds were rehydrated in a dark incubator and subsequently placed in a drying oven. Following the aging process, the seeds were placed into previously determined germination conditions. Results All species had p50 values of <13.7 days, which is the threshold to consider a species short lived. These results suggest that we cannot haphazardly store seeds and assume that all species will survive for decades. Discussion Accelerated aging experiments are not a perfect measure of seed longevity, and true longevity needs to be empirically determined. However, this experimental method allows us to predict which species may be short lived and whether alternative ex‐situ conservation methods might be needed beyond conventional seed banking. |
| first_indexed | 2024-04-12T16:17:15Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-48d68b7a9b5a43d2a0523e3026ec841b |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 2168-0450 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-04-12T16:17:15Z |
| publishDate | 2022-09-01 |
| publisher | Wiley |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Applications in Plant Sciences |
| spelling | doaj.art-48d68b7a9b5a43d2a0523e3026ec841b2022-12-22T03:25:41ZengWileyApplications in Plant Sciences2168-04502022-09-01105n/an/a10.1002/aps3.11493Can alpine plant species “bank” on conservation?: Using artificial aging to understand seed longevityAlexandra E. Seglias0Department of Research and Conservation Denver Botanic Gardens, 909 York Street Denver, Colorado 80206 USAAbstract Premise To conserve native plants, many institutions are turning toward ex‐situ conservation methods, such as storage in seed banks; however, not all seeds are able to survive in seed bank conditions, or may not in the long term. Experimental aging has shown that alpine species lose viability more quickly than low‐elevation species. Furthermore, the germination requirements for rare species are largely unknown, but are a necessary first step in understanding storage behavior and viability decline. Methods Five alpine species were subjected to germination and accelerated aging experiments to understand their longevity in storage. For the accelerated aging experiment, the seeds were rehydrated in a dark incubator and subsequently placed in a drying oven. Following the aging process, the seeds were placed into previously determined germination conditions. Results All species had p50 values of <13.7 days, which is the threshold to consider a species short lived. These results suggest that we cannot haphazardly store seeds and assume that all species will survive for decades. Discussion Accelerated aging experiments are not a perfect measure of seed longevity, and true longevity needs to be empirically determined. However, this experimental method allows us to predict which species may be short lived and whether alternative ex‐situ conservation methods might be needed beyond conventional seed banking.https://doi.org/10.1002/aps3.11493accelerated agingalpineconservationgerminationseed bankingviability |
| spellingShingle | Alexandra E. Seglias Can alpine plant species “bank” on conservation?: Using artificial aging to understand seed longevity Applications in Plant Sciences accelerated aging alpine conservation germination seed banking viability |
| title | Can alpine plant species “bank” on conservation?: Using artificial aging to understand seed longevity |
| title_full | Can alpine plant species “bank” on conservation?: Using artificial aging to understand seed longevity |
| title_fullStr | Can alpine plant species “bank” on conservation?: Using artificial aging to understand seed longevity |
| title_full_unstemmed | Can alpine plant species “bank” on conservation?: Using artificial aging to understand seed longevity |
| title_short | Can alpine plant species “bank” on conservation?: Using artificial aging to understand seed longevity |
| title_sort | can alpine plant species bank on conservation using artificial aging to understand seed longevity |
| topic | accelerated aging alpine conservation germination seed banking viability |
| url | https://doi.org/10.1002/aps3.11493 |
| work_keys_str_mv | AT alexandraeseglias canalpineplantspeciesbankonconservationusingartificialagingtounderstandseedlongevity |