GPS/GIS Mapping of Seed Collection Sites

Through the Applied Plant Ecology Division, the San Diego Zoo has developed a botanical conservation program that includes banking of seeds from local plant species, revegetation of disturbed areas, and an active research program on plant propagation techniques and long-term seed storage.

Stored seed resources can buffer native populations against natural catastrophes, such as wildfires, and protect against erosion of genetic diversity by land development and habitat fragmentation. The first of its kind in the region, Applied Plant Ecology is positioned to provide professional expertise to agencies, researchers, and concerned citizens, as well as serving as a reserve for San Diego County’s native plants in support of long-term conservation and restoration.

In 2004, the San Diego Zoo partnered with Kew Royal Botanic Gardens in the Seeds of Success program, which seeks to collect and conserve 10 percent of the world’s seed-bearing flora by 2010. As part of this ambitious program, staff is collecting, characterizing, and curating seeds from 450 of the 1,556 native plant species currently known from the San Diego region. GIS (Geographic Information Systems) is a powerful, computer-based tool for the storage, management, analysis, and display of all forms of geographic data. Through the use of map layers and tabular databases, GIS is designed specifically to capture, integrate, and analyze spatial information. Because GIS is especially useful for assessing how species’ distributions are affected by changing environmental conditions, it is rapidly becoming an invaluable tool for conservation and management of endangered species.

There is a growing awareness of the importance of using seeds that are specific to targeted restoration areas in order to preserve geographic differences and local adaptations to soils and microclimate. By banking and inventorying seeds from known locations throughout the County, Applied Plant Ecology can be assured that the material it provides for revegetation purposes is genetically appropriate and will have the highest possible chance for germination and growth.