How are we planning to protect world's seeds from extinction?
The Svalbard Global Seed Vault, known as the "doomsday vault," safeguards the world's seeds from potential extinction due to global crises
Conceived by scientist and conservationist Cary Fowler, the vault, built in 2008, addresses vulnerabilities in over 1,700 gene banks worldwide, susceptible to war, disasters, and malfunctions
Situated in Svalbard, Norway, the vault utilizespermafrost for natural freezing, protecting seeds from disasters. Its remote, flood-resistant, and geologically stable location enhances its security
The vault, often misunderstood as a post-apocalyptic seed source, primarily serves as a genetic resource for plant breeding, aiding scientists in developing resilient crop varieties
Preservation techniques include sealing seeds in foil packages and maintaining low metabolic activity, keeping them viable for extended periods within the vault's controlled environment
The vault's purpose is not immediate seed distribution but acts as a backup for national and global seed banks, preventing the loss of valuable plant varieties
Donated seeds are governed by the Multilateral System, part of an international treaty on plant genetic resources, ensuring free sharing and access among countries
Seed ownershipremains with the donors, restricting access to those who contributed, making the Global Seed Vault a collaborative effort for global food security
The vault's purpose extends beyond global disasters, aiming to preserve historical plant species and act as a backup for seedbanks worldwide, mitigating risks like fires, floods, and conflicts.