Global Tree Seed Bank Program

The Global Tree Seed Bank Programme is securing some of our planet's most threatened, rare and useful tree species. Funded by the Garfield Weston Foundation and co-ordinated by the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew, the programme aims to collect and store seeds of more than 5,000 of the world's tree species.  In Thailand, under the 3rd phase of the project, FORRU-CMU worked in partnership with the Bangkok Forestry Herbarium (BKF) to collect and conserve seeds of 300 native species. Together, we also produced conservation assessments and distribution maps on 225 rare or species for IUCN's Red List system, with support from RBG Kew’s Plant Assessment Unit (PAU). Full details of FORRU-CMU's contribution to this project can be read in the reports available via the download panel. Using the conservation assessments from this project, we are currently working with RBG Kew, BKF and the National Biobank of Thailand to co-author a paper on the status and conservation of Thailand's rare or threatened tree species, with a view to developing a nationwide system to collect their seeds and conserve them, by ensuring they are included in forest restoration plantings.

Latest news: this project was recently extended into a 4th phase (2024-26). During which FORRU-CMU will be involved in i) assessing the genetic structure of framework species populations; ii) assessing the supply and demand for seeds of framework tree species for restoration projects in Thailand; iii) determining the thermotolerance of framework species seeds (to build climate-change resilience into seed selection procedures) iv) developing planting-stock propagation procedures for data-deficient species and v) assisting Mount Ciremai National Park authority to establish their own FORRU in Indonesia. The project provides 3 full scholarships to CMU students to address these topics in their MSc and PhD projects. 

For information about the Millennium Seed Bank and the The Global Tree Seed Bank Programme, please contact Dr. Kate.