Capturing, protecting and restoring plant diversity in the UK: RBG Kew and the Millennium Seed Bank

Ex situ seed banking emerges as a vital strategy for preserving and restoring plant diversity, offering scientifically robust solutions to conservation challenges. The Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew (RBG Kew) and its Millennium Seed Bank in the UK exemplify this approach by providing high-quality, genetically diverse seeds of known origin, alongside expert data and facilities that overcome barriers in seed collection, production, and use. These resources support single-species recovery, reintroduction efforts, and large-scale habitat restoration. While challenges persist—such as ensuring genetic diversity to adapt to environmental changes—the study underscores the potential for seed banks to mobilize their resources effectively at landscape scales. This work highlights ex situ conservation as a cost-effective complement to in situ efforts, with broad implications for global biodiversity preservation.

Chapman, T., Miles, S., & Trivedi, C. (2019). Capturing, protecting and restoring plant diversity in the UK: RBG Kew and the Millennium Seed Bank. Plant Diversity, 41(2), 124–131. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.pld.2018.06.001