A seed laboratory has been established in the heart of the Amazon with the express aim of restoring the rainforest. This innovative project aims to preserve biodiversity and promote the restoration of degraded areas in the region.
The laboratory is strategically located to collect seeds from many native species. These seeds are carefully stored and sorted following strict preservation procedures to ensure their long-term viability.
Amazonia Emprende began studying restoration processes in 2019, without expecting that four years later they would become the benchmark for technology and conservation in the country. Although they hold workshops at their school in Bosque, an hour’s drive from Florence, the project that has generated the most interest is the Amazon Native Seed Center.
There is nothing like it in the biome, although it played an important role in its reconstruction. This forest is so damaged that it is reaching the point of no return. According to scientists, they will lose their ability to regenerate when deforestation reaches 20%. Amazon’s share is currently 17%.
Ancestral science and knowledge in this seed lab
This scientific and systematic approach is essential to minimizing the devastating impacts of deforestation and climate change in the Amazon. Restoring forests is no easy task, but it is necessary to protect the region’s unique biodiversity and ensure the well-being of the local communities that rely on the ecosystem services it provides.
Collaboration between scientists, institutions and local communities is crucial to the success of this project. An integrated approach is needed that combines science with the traditional knowledge of indigenous peoples who have cared for forests for centuries.
The breeding center currently has a collection of 61 species and monitors around 15,000 plants.
During propagation and germination, the mortality rate of seedlings planted later is only 5%. The scale of this project will be possible thanks to the generous investment from IDB Labs. Another NGO, Acumen, is currently considering investing in this initiative.
Ultimately, this seed lab represents the hope of preserving one of the richest and most important ecosystems on Earth. Their tireless work reminds us of the importance of protecting and restoring the natural environment for future generations.
With information from: