Annexe 1: Millennium Seed Bank Project Logical Framework
Intervention logic
Indicators
Sources of Verification
Assumptions
1. The current and continuing loss of plant diversity halted
through the conservation of plant species for the benefit of
future generations, in accordance with the objectives and
articles of the Convention on Biological Diversity
 60 per cent of threatened plant species in accessible ex situ collections,
preferably in the country of origin, and 10 per cent of them included in recovery
and restoration programmes
 GSPC report to the CoP of the CBD
detailing achievement of targets at
end of 2010 (2011 / 2012?)
 RBG Kew Annual Reports
 50% of MSBP partners secure funding by end 2009 for joint seed conservation
activities beyond 2009 that support CBD targets and are in line with
standards and practices established by MSBP
 MSBP network is a major contributor to GSPC ex situ conservation
achievements listed by GSPC in 2010
 MSBP recognised by international organisations (, CBD Secr., BGCI, IUCN.,
GEF etc.) as the global model for wild species seed conservation efforts
 Kew secures funding for continued role as a Centre of Excellence within a seed
conservation network
 Awards of grants or funding in
Partner Annual reports,.
 GSPC reports to SBSSTA
 CBD reports/publications, external
review of MSBP International
Programme
 Kew Annual reports, awards of
grants or funding
 Output 5 successfully delivered
 NBAPs support role for ex-situ
conservation & Partners wish to
continue activities.
 Defra, Trustees and Director of RBG
Kew support role as CoE for SCD
Goals
2. Plant conservation and sustainability programmes around
the world will be widespread and effective as a result of
the plant diversity research, conservation, technology and
public support provided by Kew
Project Purpose
A leading worldwide seed conservation network is in place,
capable of safeguarding targeted wild plant species and
contributing to global conservation targets
Outputs
1.
Partnerships established and developed to meet
conservation targets and form the basis for a seed
conservation network
 Coverage achieved through partnership agreements reflects dryland floristic
regions
 Established partnerships deliver against agreed targets by 31/12/09
 Number and nature of regional networks initiated/strengthened as a direct
result of MSBP involvement (leading indicator to Project Purpose)
 MSBP Annual reports to MC;
Indicators and Target table shows
project presented to and ABSAs
agreed with countries including
drylands that reflect the widest
possible number of Taktahjan
floristic regions.
 Project country reports (usually
annual), National Biodiversity Action
Plans,
 Associated formal agreements in
operating country or region
 Favourable and stable Political climate
supporting CBD
 Partner Institutions remain as stable,
well managed , financially disciplined
and resourced as at time ABSA signed
2.
High quality germinable seeds, herbarium specimens
and associated information held in managed collections
and available for use under agreed terms by bona fide
users
 24,200 species banked by MSBP partners and held as MSB duplicate
collections by 31/12/09, in accordance with identified priorities
 50% of seed collections banked by MSBP partners and held as MSB duplicate
in collections achieving >75% germinability by 31/12/09
 85% of collections held to international standards by 31/12/09 at MSB and
partners
 All distribution and use of MSBP collections from the MSB managed in
compliance with partnership agreements by 31/12/09. Where allowed,
availability made known through RBG Kew Seed List.
 33% of MSBP collections available for use within 2 years of collection
 MSBP Annual reports to MC;
species intake figures. Number of
3Es identified
 MSBP Annual reports to MC;
processing throughputs and backlogs.
 Table of storage conditions of all
MSBP collections in 2004 and in
2009
 Internal RBG Kew database of seed
distribution records
 Partner seed lists where distribution
is from country.
 Outputs 1,3 & 4 successfully achieved
 Turn over of trained partners remains
low & slow throughout the project.
 Implementation of Partner country CBD
obligations sufficiently advanced that
conservation targets can be readily
identified.
Output
3.
Researchable constraints to seed conservation removed
Indicators
Sources of Verification
Assumptions
 ‘Studies’ on 2400 species reported by end of 2009
 >50% of science & technology (S&T) studies completed1 in agreed time
 50% of S&T studies generating new or improved seed conservation methods
(NISCMs) by end of 2009
 Peer-reviewed papers increased to 40% of total formal S&T publications by end
2009
 Internal WTMB docs (research
news, germination forum minutes,
tracking docs), plus reports by
partners / collaborators
 Partner parent institute maintains
current access provided to Facilities
 Current understanding of seed biology
valuable and appropriate to
conservation target species whose
seed behaviour is unknown.
 Access to bibliography remains at or
exceeds present level
4.
Best practice seed conservation technology and
information adopted internally and by project partners;
and accessible to the wider scientific community
 100% of new or improved seed conservation methods (NISCM) developed
under output 3 adopted by SCD and/or partners
 Increased number of trained people working (with appropriate facilities) in plant
(seed) conservation (cf. GSPC target 15)
 Increased number of scientific and technical publications produced by partners
 Increase in trainee days provided by MSB-trained partner staff
 75% of agreed partner constraints in seed conservation technology improved
by 31/12/09
 Full responses to direct requests for seed conservation information provided
within 20 working days.
 Increased access for partners and wider scientific community to a broader
range of scientific and technical publications on seed conservation
 % of cleaned and germinated collections received from partners Increases with
time
 Reviews of methods in SCD, Partner
surveys.
 SCD publication list on web site
 PDFs of papers on web
 Web of Knowledge citation (can be
peer reviewed and not Cited partic.
in partner countries)
 Annual reports/Partners listing their
papers and training days
 Table of storage conditions in output
2 above
 SCD enquiries database
 SID web hits
 Curation Stats on received batches
 Global communication infrastructures
intact, effective and affordable
 RBG Kew publication strategy adapted
to facilitate “open access” publishing,
PDFs of publications on the Web and
availability of publication citation lists to
free Scholarly bibliographic db on the
Web.
5.
Increased public awareness in the UK and overseas of
the need for plant conservation, and the contribution
made by seed conservation2
 Increased number of requests received from target audiences for interaction
with MSBP staff; individuals and groups (schools, societies, etc.)
 Increased editorial value of MSBP press coverage in UK (and overseas?) by
2010
 Public and private funding of MSBP meeting the funding shortfall by 2010
 An increased recognition of the role for seed banking amongst UK and
overseas policymakers
 Key Measure ‘behind the scenes’
 List of requests held by S Moss
 Database of green cards held by T
Butler
 Website hits (if RBG Kew hits can be
deducted.
 No. of Samaras distributed
 No. of F&F Samaras
 Key Measure ‘staff contact days’ (M1
& M2)
 MSBP Annual reports to MC;
Marketing, MSBP Annual Reports,
Finance & Income.
 Role of seed banking recognised in
national reports
 Target audiences are responsive.
 Public opinion in support of
environmental issues does not weaken
1
2
Successful completion is defined as achievement of study objectives, which are directly linked to the removal of researchable constraints to seed conservation
Target audiences: i) policy makers; ii) existing and potential funding bodies; iii) schools; and iv) the general public.
1.1
1.2
1.3
Activities
Output 1 – Partnership
Analyse global conservation strategies and initiate dialogue with potential partners
Agree ex situ conservation priorities with partners and stakeholders
Develop and agree work programmes and budgets with identified partners
1.4 Negotiate Access and Benefit Sharing Agreements (ABSA’s)
1.5 Coordinate the provision of support to partners to enable them to meet agreed targets
1.6
Identify lessons for current and future partnerships
Output 2 – Collecting and Curation
2.1 Plan and collect seeds, vouchered specimens and full data for targeted species
2.2 Collate and input data (primary and secondary; donation and processing)
2.3 Process and curate seeds
2.4 Identify, curate and mount herbarium vouchers
2.5 Conduct initial assessment and monitoring of seed quality
2.6 Provide data and statistics to target audiences
2.7 Control supply of seeds and data to bona fide users, with due regard to all agreements
2.8 Produce plant materials for collections, research and technology transfer
Output 3 – Studies
3.1 Identify research priorities
3.2
Conduct collecting studies (incl. Produce target species lists and collection guides)
3.3
3.4
3.5
3.6
Conduct processing studies
Conduct storage studies
Conduct monitoring and use studies
Evaluate research outputs for potential application
Output 4 – Skills Transfer
Design/source, supply and commission new equipment and facilities
4.1
4.2
4.3
4.4
4.5
Develop and maintain the Seed Information Database (SID)
Provide a coordinated response to scientific and technical enquiries from project partners and the wider
scientific community
Design and deliver appropriate training and capacity building support internally, to project partners and to
other targeted groups
Prepare and deliver contributions to scientific publications, lectures, seminars and conferences
Inputs
See Inputs Table
Costs
See Costs Table
Assumptions
NBAP available from partner country
Legal framework exists in partner countries for negotiation to take
place
Financial system stable to allow transfer of co-funding
National signatories support remains constant
Financial propriety remains high i.e. no misappropriation away from
partners by home institute
Discussions not obscured by interdepartmental or inter-institutional
infighting
Distribution & phenology of target species within Partner country
sufficiently known that targets can be found when seed quality is
high.
Target species sufficiently fecund & found in large enough
populations that collections are of sufficient quantity to allow
distribution
Institutional software strategies used by MSBP partners compatible:
Common data standards
Customs, Couriers ,CITES and plant quarantine legislations do not
impede seed shipments
Specialist support from non MSBP funded botanists in partner
countries or Kew forthcoming
None Totally under Project control
None Totally under Project control
Governments of Partners do not introduce measures in conflict with
those agreed in ABSA
None Totally under Project control
Lack of conflict between MSBP aims and the partners’ institutional
aims
None Quality of supervision to MSBP staff by non MSBP staff is
under our control (joint supervision)
ditto
ditto
ditto
None
Suppliers remain willing to make goods and services available within
budgeted costs
Lack of conflict between SID aims and Kew ePIC institutional aims
None
Birmingham University & Sussex University continue to run courses
Scientific peers retain present levels of open mindedness
5.1
5.2
5.2
6.1
6.2
6.3
Activities
Output 5 – Public Awareness
Provide a high quality and stimulating exhibition in the Orange Room at Wakehurst Place
Provide up to date information relating to the Project and its achievements via the MSBP website; media
coverage; and targeted and specialist publications
Engage directly with key target audiences relating to the Project and its achievements via inter alia formal
and informal talks and presentations at conferences, workshops, meetings, dinners, schools activities
Activity 6 - Management Support
Manage WTMB facilities (IT support; Laboratory management; Library; Buildings and maintenance; Health
and safety; Landscaping)
Provide SCD management support (Project steering, review and reporting; Financial management; Quality
assurance; Corporate planning; Human resource management)
Coordinate MSBP activities with other SCD-managed projects and programmes (e.g. Darwin Initiative
projects; ENSCONET)
Inputs
Costs
Assumptions
None
Lack of conflict between MSBP web aims and Kew institutional
aims
Public opinion in support of environmental issues does not weaken
Public opinion in support of environmental issues does not weaken
None
None externally, Internally, 12 major risks listed at Appendix x,
diminish with time. RBG Kew and F&F legally obliged to MC on
fundraising
EU & Darwin Initiative do not change their position
Definitions used in logical framework
Goal
Project Purpose
Outputs
Activities
Indicators
Sources of verification
The wider and long-term impact of the project; the objectives to which the project will contribute but will not achieve on its own.
The direct social, economic or environmental benefits to be experienced by the primary beneficiaries as a result of using the
project outputs.
The services or facilities to be delivered by the project to its primary beneficiaries.
What the project will do in order to develop and deliver its outputs.
The variables that will be used to measure achievement of the goal or project purpose / delivery of the outputs.
The sources of information about indicators that will enable achievement to be measured.
Assumptions (Project
Purpose)
The events or actions of other organisations that lie outside project control, but that may undermine the project’s sustainability, or
limit its contribution to achievement of the goal.
Assumptions (Outputs)
The events or actions of other organisations that lie outside project control, but that may limit the beneficiaries’ access to project
outputs, and their ability to derive benefit from the project.
The events or actions of other organisations that lie outside project control, but that may restrict progress from completion of
activities to delivery of outputs.
Assumptions (Activities)