Indices Seminum:

Are They Really Worth the Effort?

Abstract

This manuscript investigates whether indices seminum are currently aiding conservation or whether they require modernisation. It is widely assumed that the proportion of wild-collected seeds has increased within botanical seed lists. Through a number of studies we found the reverse to be true. Our paper also found that very widespread taxa were needlessly offered from garden origin. More worrying is that taxa well known for their invasiveness were also freely available for distribution. Another concern was the failure to supply or request associated data for wild-collected seeds despite its availability, a neglect counter-intuitive to botanic gardens. We highlight that in their present form indices seminum are a waste of resources and offer little to legitimate conservation. A range of recommendations is provided for modernising this activity in order to prioritise conservation, one of our biggest challenges of the 21st century.