Seed Conservation: How Seed Science Might Save the World.

Seed biology plays a critical role in global initiatives to conserve genetic resources and to protect and restore natural populations.  To maintain agricultural productivity, ensure viability of wild populations and mitigate effects of invasive plants in the face of rapidly changing climate, we need better understanding of pollination and seed development, seed responses to environmental conditions in genebanks and  soil seed banks, seed germination cues, and factors that regulate the transition of germinated seedlings into autotrophic plants. This presentation will provide an overview of some ongoing seed conservation initiatives that are contributing new perspectives and knowledge about seeds as well as arising questions about seed biology as the global community gains experience with a broader range of  species and  environmental conditions.