Boosting ecological restoration through improved seed quality

The growing demand for native seeds in ecological restoration and rehabilitation has resulted in a  rapidly growing global industry in the sourcing, supply and sale of native seeds. Image credit: Curtin University

A groundbreaking initiative by Curtin University to improve the quality of native seeds and how they are used in land restoration efforts in Western Australia has been boosted by a $1.8 million grant from Lotterywest. 

“Seeds play a vital role in restoring native vegetation across degraded ecosystems,” said Environment Minister the Hon Reece Whitby MLA.  

“Good quality seeds are required for restoring biodiversity in more than one million hectares of degraded land across WA.” 

The Curtin-based Native Seed Technology and Innovation Hub will focus on developing the most cost-effective technological solution for seed-based restoration.  

Project Lead and research fellow Dr Simone Pedrini from Curtin’s Centre for Healing Country in the School of Molecular and Life Sciences says current land restoration efforts are often unsuccessful because there is not much consideration of native seeds quality.  

“Seeds, if they are not collected, processed and stored correctly, will die,”  Dr Pedrini said.  

“Curtin’s technological solutions in seed testing and processing to boost quality, seed treatment to maximise germination, and seed coating to improve seed handling can make the restoration of degraded ecosystems more efficient and cost effective.” 

“Our Native Seed Hub will rigorously test these innovations in laboratory, nursery and field conditions and then share the results with the global restoration community. 

“Through hands-on education and skills training, the project will also create a vibrant community of practice, particularly by developing a series of training for the Indigenous groups that are developing native seed capability and are poised to become the leaders in the emerging restoration economy.”  

The Native Seed Technology and Innovation Hub aims to translate its findings into real-world practices adoptable by the resources sector and government agencies.