Lydia Guja ‘Seed Biology and Seed Conservation of Endangered Plants at the National Seed Bank’

Lydia will discuss the unprecedented threat to the Australian Alps from many processes, including climate change and fire, and their place within the Australian National Botanic Gardens’ seed conservation and research program.

The National Seed Bank is home to a unique and ever increasing collection of native seeds for conservation and research. Lydia took up the position of Seed Conservation Biologist at the NSB in March 2012. The NSB’s science program and seed research are delivered through CSIRO Plant Industry’s Centre for Australian National Biodiversity Research. The Seed Conservation Biologist plays a key role in developing and monitoring the strategic direction and scientific and conservation goals of the NSB and expanding existing seed banking and research activities.

One of many seed conservation and biology projects currently underway at the National Seed Bank aims to 1. Conserve plants of the endangered ecological community ‘Alpine Sphagnum Bogs and Associated fens’ (ASBAFs) through genetically diverse, long term, ex situ seed collections; and 2. Research the seed ecology and biology of bog and fen plants to better understand ecological drivers of recruitment in these communities to inform management and restoration practices.