Germination capacity and viability of threatened species collections in seed banks

摘要: Facing the current biodiversity crisis, value of ex situ conservation has been increasingly acknowledged in international treaties and legislations. Seed banks are a good way conserving biodiversity, providing that seeds high quality at maximum viability. However, despite number established facilities, there is little information on seed viability botanic garden banks. This paper analyses status collection National Botanic Garden Belgium by determining germination capacity have stored for 1–26 years. It aims at: (1) ensuring existing storage conditions provide effective threatened species; (2) data (3) planning future efforts West European species value. Results from this study showed percentages 250 tested reached average 59 79% respectively. Some families typically performed better than others. Within species, consistent results were not always obtained. Over quarter accessions exhibited some degree dormancy. Considering lack knowledge dormancy many rare we believe should be estimated its percentage. calls further research order to understand biology range native species.