The Alpine Seed Conservation and Research Network
The Alpine Seed Conservation and Research Network is funded by the David and Claudia Harding Foundation, Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew (UK) and consists of six partners: Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew (United Kingdom); Università di Pavia, Dipartimento di Scienze della Terra e dell’Ambiente (Italy); Conservatoire Botanique National Alpin, Gap-Chambery (France); The Conservatoire et Jardin Botaniques de la Ville de Geneve (Switzerland); The University of Graz, Department of Plant Sciences and Botanical Garden; University of Innsbruck, Department of Botany and Botanical Garden.
The project focuses on the following topics:
- Urgent ex-situ conservation of the region’s most endangered alpine community species
- Dissemination of research on these species to aid conservation and restoration activities
- Development of a conservation network to foster long-term co-operation and collaboration
Within the joint project, the Department of Botany and the Botanical Garden at the University of Innsbruck is responsible for the collection of 100 alpine species from the Eastern Alps of North and East Tyrol. The PhD research program (2016-2019) comprises field-, common garden- and growth chamber experiments. Germination and survival of species will be investigated in relation to seed provenance, sowing altitude, presence of established species and soil type. Alpine species (decreasing species at the alpine zone and ubiquitous ones) will be compared to migrating species from lower altitudes (increasing species at the alpine zone). A common garden experiment compares the germination dynamics of Alpine Saxifraga species and test the effects of provenances. By means of growth chamber experiments, germination traits of the different species groups will be checked.
Funding
David and Claudia Harding Foundation, Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew (UK)
Personnel involved
Konrad Pagitz
Maria Holoubek
Brigitta Erschbamer
Vera Margreiter
Barbara Pernfuß
Seed collection 2016
Andreas Bär
Monika Hamacher
Bettina Mittendrein
Cooperation
Elinor Breman, Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew
Jonas Mueller, Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew
Graziano Rossi, Università di Pavia
Andrea Mondoni, Università di Pavia
Thomas Abeli, Università di Pavia
Francesco Porro, Università di Pavia
Christian Berg, Universität Graz
Patrick Schwager, Universität Graz
Catherine Lambelet, Ville de Geneve
Jacqueline Detraz, Ville de Geneve
Noémie Fort, Gap