Decision support for managing conservation seed bank collections: comparing germination and viability

Abstract

Without knowledge of seed germination requirements, conservation seed bank collections cannot be utilised, nor their viability monitored over time. When germination is low, deciding whether to invest further seed, time and resources into investigating why can be difficult. We investigated the germinability of 37 grassy ecosystem seed bank collections, including germination response to fire-related cues. Where germination was < 75% we investigated seed viability using the tetrazolium chloride (TZ) staining test. Germination and TZ test results were then compared to determine next steps in collection management. Using 95% confidence intervals of the difference between germination and viability, the 37 collections were assigned to one of seven different data-informed management decisions. This approach provides a detailed decision support framework for conservation collection management, to strengthen current guidelines and ensure that time and resources are effectively allocated. Other seed banks could customise this approach depending on the number of seeds used in testing and what percentage of germination is considered sufficient.