Project Details
Description
Genetic diversity, mating patterns and gene flow in Seed Production Areas
Addressing Australia’s challenges of biodiversity loss and climate change is significantly hampered by the availability of good quality native seed. Australia’s Native Seed Strategy 2020 (Appendix 1) recommended the establishment of Seed Production Areas (SPAs) to fill the growing gap between seed supply and demand, and to develop a research and development platform to deliver the strategy. It is critical that this research and development platform addresses key knowledge gaps so that established SPAs produce resilient, healthy seed suitable for a changing climate.
Greening Australia (GA) will develop and lead a centre of excellence that addresses this knowledge gap, bringing together key stakeholders and groups to undertake core research with practical application to improve outcomes for the native seed sector factoring in future climates. This coordinated research program and knowledge sharing platform will empower the whole sector to be science-based and science-led as we embark on the UN Decade of Restoration. Financial support from IPF will serve the broader ecological practitioner community at both a state and national level and provide capacity to collaborate with academic institutions across the sector. Specifically, funds will be used to:
•Develop a Quality Assurance (QA)/Quality Control (QC) framework for SPAs based on genetic diversity and quality of seed produced.
•Develop resources to help standardise and guide SPA development to improve the likelihood of success and the production of genetically healthy seed appropriate for changing climates.
•Working with academics and industry to develop and implement seed quality standards and protocols.
•Collaborate with researchers to develop and test seed treatments to provide a value-add to seed by increasing seed germination and establishment success.
•Research how to optimise production and seed yields through horticultural practices and create optimum environments for pollination. Test the potential for drones and remote sensing to track flowering, growth and plant stress.
Addressing Australia’s challenges of biodiversity loss and climate change is significantly hampered by the availability of good quality native seed. Australia’s Native Seed Strategy 2020 (Appendix 1) recommended the establishment of Seed Production Areas (SPAs) to fill the growing gap between seed supply and demand, and to develop a research and development platform to deliver the strategy. It is critical that this research and development platform addresses key knowledge gaps so that established SPAs produce resilient, healthy seed suitable for a changing climate.
Greening Australia (GA) will develop and lead a centre of excellence that addresses this knowledge gap, bringing together key stakeholders and groups to undertake core research with practical application to improve outcomes for the native seed sector factoring in future climates. This coordinated research program and knowledge sharing platform will empower the whole sector to be science-based and science-led as we embark on the UN Decade of Restoration. Financial support from IPF will serve the broader ecological practitioner community at both a state and national level and provide capacity to collaborate with academic institutions across the sector. Specifically, funds will be used to:
•Develop a Quality Assurance (QA)/Quality Control (QC) framework for SPAs based on genetic diversity and quality of seed produced.
•Develop resources to help standardise and guide SPA development to improve the likelihood of success and the production of genetically healthy seed appropriate for changing climates.
•Working with academics and industry to develop and implement seed quality standards and protocols.
•Collaborate with researchers to develop and test seed treatments to provide a value-add to seed by increasing seed germination and establishment success.
•Research how to optimise production and seed yields through horticultural practices and create optimum environments for pollination. Test the potential for drones and remote sensing to track flowering, growth and plant stress.
| Short title | Native Seed Production Areas |
|---|---|
| Acronym | SPAs |
| Status | Active |
| Effective start/end date | 27/03/24 → 30/06/27 |