The relationship between climate change and scarcity of native seeds

In 1859, Charles Darwin published "The Origin of Species." In this book, the theory of evolution by natural selection was presented, and this was one of the disruptive milestones in the understanding of the history of humanity. Darwin provided a deep understanding of the diversity and adaptation of species over time, demonstrating that they all have a common ancestor. Thus, we realize that throughout the 4,5 billion years of existence of planet Earth, life was shaped in response to climate variations and other external agents – a path to survival.

This reveals to us that all the biotic and abiotic factors on the planet are interconnected in different biogeochemical cycles, which means that living beings and non-living components of the environment are constantly interacting with each other. At this moment, when we are experiencing the phenomenon of climate change of anthropogenic origin, those carried out by man (it is always important to emphasize this, as throughout the history of the planet there have been several significant changes in the climate), it is already possible to observe several manifestations as a consequence. And it's not surprising since, as I mentioned earlier, life adapts to physical changes on the planet.

In the second half of 2023, we will witness the highest temperature records in the last 174 years, according to the American Oceanic and Atmospheric Agency (NOAA). During this period, we witnessed droughts, floods and temperatures previously considered unusual for many locations in Brazil and the world.

And what did you do on these days of intense heat, storms or severe drought? Possibly, he adopted some behavior different from the usual, right?

But what happens to the behavior of other living organisms, such as some tree species, for example, in times of severe drought or extreme temperatures? There is still a lot to discover, but it is already known that they can change their reproductive behavior, reducing the production of flowers, fruits and seeds.

This brings us to a point of great importance: For the regeneration of forests and the production of native tree seedlings, it is essential to have seeds!

This climate instability is not the only challenge; There is also difficulty in production (processing) and making native seeds available as a product for the market. We face structural difficulties in implementing environmental policies, especially when it comes to reconciling the vast diversity of biomes in Brazil with effective seed production and distribution strategies for each ecosystem.

Considering the goal of restoring 12 million hectares by 2030, established by the National Policy for the Restoration of Native Vegetation (Proveg), the challenge of addressing the diversity of the country's biomes when trying to develop effective restoration plans is notable.

A study published in 2020 in the journal Forests, carried out by Brazilian researchers, brought to light the issue of the low diversity of sources of plant materials and the scarcity of native seed suppliers. The Brazilian Seed Map, an initiative of the Forestry Seeds Technical Committee, revealed worrying numbers, indicating a large margin for improvement.

However, we cannot underestimate the valuable knowledge of local communities and indigenous peoples. Their traditional practices and intimate understanding of biomes offer valuable opportunities to develop advanced seed collection and processing techniques.

Collaborative initiatives, such as the Xingu Seed Network, are concrete examples of how collectors, farmers and indigenous people come together to collect, process and distribute native seeds from the Cerrado and the Amazon. These innovative practices not only drive restoration projects across the country, but also support the livelihoods of these communities.

Environmental education is a powerful tool in this context. By empowering these communities with training on sustainable collection and nursery management practices, we not only protect biodiversity, but also strengthen their own sources of livelihood.

Despite the challenges, it is clear that innovative solutions are occurring, from research into seeds more adapted to climate change to international partnerships such as the European Union's GenTree, which brings together researchers and institutions from several countries to improve the conservation and use of genetic resources of trees. Working together and exploring new approaches is essential to address seed availability shortages and ensure a more resilient future for our ecosystems.

By Tiago Egydio Barreto, manager of the Eco+ Foundation