Singapore’s First Seed Bank Now Open
The increasing global temperatures, depleting clean water resource and imbalances in biodiversity is a testament of climate change.
Just like how we humans seek respite from Singapore’s unbearable heat in our air-conditioned buildings, plants need protection as well.
National Parks Board (NParks) has set up The Singapore Botanic Gardens Seed Bank to protect local and regional plant diversity against diseases, natural disasters and climate change. The bank was launched on Saturday (13 Jul).
Can house 25,000 plant species
Situated in the former Raffles College at Cluny Road, the seed bank is big enough to store seeds from 25,000 plant species.
This means that close to half of seed plant species in the south east region can be stored in Singapore’s seed bank.
Seeds are stored at -20 degree Celsius
Source
When there’s a need for habitat restoration in the future, the seeds stored in the bank can be used.
In addition to having storage rooms, there are seed biology labs where scientists can conduct research on tropical plant seed preservation.
Free visitor galleries
If you’re interested in finding out in detail the process of seed banking, there are galleries and an outdoor garden you can visit.
To promote the importance of seed conservation, NParks will also be organising guided tours and public talks, where visitors will get to learn more about the different kinds of seeds and how they are important to our ecosystem.
Biodiversity matters
The effects of climate change can be extremely detrimental to regional flora and fauna.
Biodiversity often gets hit the first and hardest by the effects of climate change. In order for us to not lose the beauty around us, we must all do our part in conserving it.
To learn more about seed conservation, head down to The Singapore Botanic Gardens Seed Bank.
Address: 1 Cluny Rd, Singapore 259569
Opening hours: Open daily, 9am–6pm. Closed every last Friday of the month.
Closest MRT: Botanic Gardens
Featured image from NParks.
