how do seed banks preserve seeds for future generations?

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Svalbard_Global_Seed_Vault

thank you

You're welcome.

Seed banks preserve seeds for future generations through a process called seed banking, which involves the careful collection, storage, and maintenance of seeds. Here is how they typically accomplish this:

1. Collection: Seed banks collect seeds from a wide variety of plant species, including those that are endangered or at risk of extinction. This ensures the preservation of plant diversity for future generations.

2. Drying: To prevent the growth of microorganisms and prolong seed viability, collected seeds are dried to a specific moisture level. Reduced moisture content reduces the risk of fungal or bacterial contamination during storage.

3. Cleaning: Seeds are cleaned to remove any debris, such as plant material or insects. This minimizes the chances of contamination and helps in maintaining the quality of the seeds.

4. Sorting and cataloging: After cleaning, the seeds are sorted by species and cataloged with relevant information such as collection date, location, and ecological data. This ensures easy identification and retrieval when needed.

5. Storage: Seeds are stored in a controlled environment to preserve their viability. The most common method is to store seeds in airtight containers, such as glass jars or aluminum foil packets, in temperature and humidity-controlled environments. Low temperatures and low humidity slow down seed aging and maintain their viability for extended periods.

6. Monitoring: Stored seeds are regularly monitored for factors such as moisture content, temperature, and germination rates. This helps seed banks identify any deterioration, allowing prompt actions to be taken.

7. Regeneration: To avoid genetic drift and maintain the viability of seeds, seed banks periodically regenerate seeds by growing out a portion of the stored seeds to produce new seeds. These regenerated seeds are then used to supplement the bank's seed collection.

By following these procedures, seed banks ensure the long-term preservation of a wide range of seeds and serve as important genetic resources for future generations, safeguarding agricultural biodiversity and aiding in plant conservation efforts.