Present and future role of the South African seed centre on the conservation of biodiversity and maintenance of a gene bank | Tree seed news
2001
Phala, M. T. | Shumba, E. M.
The Seed Centre of the Chief Directorate of Forestry has been in existence for a long time serving the country at large in its seed requiremnts. It has played a crucial role on the maintenance of biological resources by ensuring the availability of seeds especially those seeds of recalcitrant species. The centre has been practically contributing to the conservation of extinct species in the country by forming a partnership with educational institutions on researchers on possible conservation methods. South Africa has been experiencing a decline in biological resources due to the unsustainable harvesting of these wild natural resources. According to Ham and Van Eck (1998), our rural communities have been using natural resources for food, medicine, clothing and building material for centuries. This has resulted in losses of many important tree species that have a vital role on the livelihood of our communities. The seed centre has been playing an important role in ensuring the availability of seeds and proper planting methods for these species.
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This bibliographic record has been provided by Forestry Research Commission