Recent Advances in Seed Conservation Physiology in the Hawaiian Flora

The remote archipelago of Hawaii in the Pacific Ocean is a hotspot of endemism with nearly 90% of the native flora being endemic to the islands, many being single-island or even narrower endemics. Seed banking has been recognized as the most efficient and cost-effective means of ex situ plant conservation, however not all species can be stored by conventional seed bank conditions, and a priori knowledge dormancy and germination requirements are necessary to ensure seed banking success. Additionally, as the climate changes, coastal ecosystems are predicted to increase in salinity, however, knowledge of salinity tolerance in coastal plant species is lacking, especially in Hawaii. This presentation focuses on recent advances in Hawaiian seed conservation, specifically; 1) seed germinability from herbarium specimens as a last conservation resort, 2) repurposing routinely collected seed bank data for conservation purposes, 3) germination and dormancy in critically endangered exceptional species, and 4) salinity tolerance and resilience in a suite of coastal plant species. Results will inform seed bank managers, species and land managers, and other stakeholders.