Program 1

Living Seed Bank

The Living Seed Bank is a multi-faceted ongoing program for the
preservation of the biodiversity of Madre de Dios.  The program is
based at our center in Baltimori, on the Tambopata River in the buffer
zone of the Tambopata National Reserve.   The primary focus of the Seed
Bank is on trees:
1. We identify and propagate the greatest possible variety of
economically important tree species (for timber, medicines, fruits,
nuts, building materials, etc.), with 150 species planted to date. 
Some of these trees are familiar while others have never been
domesticated. 

2. We work toward the preservation of the genetic diversity within
key species of endangered and over-exploited trees (primarily timber
species) through the Camino Verde Heritage Tree Species.  Each Heritage
Species consists of over 50 individual trees (and in some cases 200 or
more), to create a diverse and healthy genetic stock from which to draw
seed for future reforestation.  As wild populations of many of these
species erode due to irresponsible harvesting, the Living Seed Bank
ensures healthy genetic resources for each of these trees. 

3. As many of the trees we plant have never been planted in a
cultivated setting, we carry out ongoing evaluation of growth rates and
productivity, with the aim of identifying species that could become
commercially important as alternative crops for small farmers.

Program long term success

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Program success monitored by

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Program success examples

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