As Seen on CPC’s Rare Plant Academy: What to Know Before You Go: Maximizing Genetic Diversity in Seed Collections

Ex-situ conservation seed collections are a crucial part of saving rare and endangered plants from extinction, and maximizing the genetic diversity present in these collections is essential. In this short video prepared for the Rare Plant Academy, Joe Davitt of the Center for Plant Conservation and the San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance describes some of the ways seed collectors can ensure maximized genetic diversity in collections while also ensuring the greatest conservation benefits for the species. In order to maximize genetic diversity, collectors should acknowledge and avoid biases which may skew the genetic makeup of collections – such as temporal and land access bias or personal bias towards prettier maternal plants. For more information on seed collecting, visit the Rare Plant Academy Video Library!