Critically Endangered Species Pipeline

Critically endangered (CR) species are those believed to be facing an extremely high risk of extinction in the wild. To fall into this IUCN Global Red List category species will have experienced dramatic population reductions, have less than 50 individuals remaining in the wild, or be highly range restricted. The Millennium Seed Bank (MSB) holds CR seed collections from 66 countries and territories. In some cases, there are fewer than 10 individuals of these species remaining in the wild.

As part of routine collection management processes germination tests are undertaken on seed collections, including CR species, to determine germination protocols and track seed viability. This project enables the seedlings of CR species from these tests to be grown on for use in conservation, education and outreach.

As the seedlings grow, they are photographed at each developmental stage. These photos are combined with ones of the seeds themselves, information on seed germination requirements and tested seedling growth conditions to produce propagation protocols. These are then shared, supporting those working on the species’ conservation in their country of origin.

Alongside growing the seedlings, we will gather information on the species in collaboration with the MSB partners who made the original seed collection, particularly stories relating to the making of the seed collections and any conservation efforts being undertaken for the species in its natural habitat.

The plants grown on are used for display and education at Kew, Wakehurst and a range of other botanical gardens and arboreta throughout the UK with the ability to care for them – forming ex situ conservation meta collections. All the plants distributed/displayed are accompanied by information boards sharing the in-country stories of the species.