Seed to Tree

"The "Seed to Tree " project is bolstering forest and landscape restoration, by enhancing the quality and availability of native tree seeds and seedlings, tailored to local conditions. It is also integrating indigenous peoples and local communities (IPLCs) into seed-value chains, thus promoting biodiversity conservation, carbon sequestration and economic empowerment. Project outputs include decision-support and monitoring tools, integration of IPLCs into restoration projects, and emergent partnerships within restoration value chains. Such efforts should enhance tree-species diversity in restoration initiatives and promote greater IPLC collaboration." Riina Jalonen, Alliance of Bioversity International and CIAT .

The lead implementers are Alliance of Bioversity International and CIAT  and the Tropical Rainforest Conservation and Research Center (TRCRC) , funded by the ASEAN-UK Green Transition Fund . The Alliance contributes global research expertise, whilst TRCRC focuses on local conservation and forest restoration in Malaysia. TRCRC staff practice monitoring of recently planted tree saplings during a workshop at FORRU-CMU June 2024FORRU-CMU contributed to this project by providing technical expertise to TRCRC, including assistance with species selection, using data from our unit's extensive data archives, particularly for S. Thailand trees . Furthermore, we hosted three workshops for TRCRC staff and partners in Chiang Mai (2024-25), followed up with on-site training in Malaysia, led by Ach. Dia and Ach Steve in November 2025.Ach Dia leading a discussion on ways to improve planting-stock production for TRCRC staff at the centre's native tree nursery in Perak, northern Malaysia.Dr. Greuk explains D4R to local community representatives at a workshop in Chiang Mai (February 2026).Dr Greuk collated a massive data set for the construction of a Diversity for Restoration (D4R) tool for northern Thailand.  With this app, users can generate a list of suitable tree species for any restoration site, simply by clicking on the site location on a map. Click here to explore the prototype: D4R – for northern Thailand .

We also helped to develop a Thai version of the MyFarmTrees app for northern Thailand, which allows practitioners to track their trees from seed collection and nursery propagation through planting and growth to maturity. Potentially, this could allow farmers to register their trees for carbon credits in the future.

Furthermore, the FORRU-CMU team surveyed 10 villages to integrate traditional ecological knowledge (TEK) into these decision-support tools and assess demand for native forest-tree species. The surveys revealed 204 useful tree species in high demand, prioritizing subsistence needs—timber (40), food (34) and medicine (31)—rather than commercial sale. Local communities also identified desired functional traits such as drought tolerance, soil improvement and species that serve as keystone food sources for wildlife (e.g. Ficus spp.). The study concluded that selection of multifunctional species is most likely to foster community endorsement of restoration projects, supporting both ecosystem recovery and livelihood resilience.

Mr Sorayuth surveyed tree species produced at 27 northern Thailand nurseries. To assess supply of native forest tree species for restoration, Mr. Sorayuth surveyed 27 nurseries across eight northern Thailand provinces (2025-26). The nurseries produce predominantly commercial timber trees (teak, rosewoods, dipterocarps etc.), with little correspondence with local demand. Also of concern was the lack of seed-origin traceability—seeds were mostly bought from suppliers and not collected locally. This increases the risk that trees planted are not genetically suited to local conditions. Nursery staff called for relaxation of restrictions on collecting seeds in protected areas, higher budgets and provision of more and better equipment, to secure supplies of genetically diverse planting stock in the future.

FORRU-CMU's contribution to the project concluded with the running of two workshops (one for communities and one for RFD Officers), to validate the survey data and demonstrate evaluate the functionality of the D4R and MFT tools with potential users.

The StT project continues, but FORRU-CMU's contributions have all been successfully completed (March 2026). For details of all our activities and outputs under this project, please access the project reports via the download panel.

The partnerships FORRU-CMU forged with both the Alliance and TRCRC proved immensely productive and enjoyable, and we look forward to further collaboration with both these organizations in the future.