ANNEX 1
PROJECT SYNOPSIS: Annex to Access & Benefit Sharing Agreement
The Victorian Threatened Seed Collection
Project
Conservation by long-term seed storage of Victorian
Indigenous, Rare or Threatened Flora
An International Partnership between The Royal Botanic Gardens
Melbourne, Victoria (Australia) and The Royal Botanic Gardens
Kew, Millennium Seed Bank Project (United Kingdom)
April 2005
1. PROJECT SYNOPSIS
The Victorian Threatened Seed Collection Project (hereafter referred to as the Project) as
described here outlines a plant conservation partnership between the State of Victoria through
the Royal Botanic Gardens Melbourne (RBGM), the Department of Sustainability and
Environment, Victoria (DSE) and the Royal Botanic Gardens Kew (RBGK) via its
Millennium Seed Bank Project (MSBP). RBGM and RBGK are hereafter referred to as the
Partners.
This synopsis incorporates background information leading to the development of the Project,
the proposed actions, and discusses the material and capacity-building benefits of the Project
to the Partners and the wider aims of global plant conservation. Relevant legislation and
policy documents at State, National and International levels are considered in relation to the
Project. Finally, this synopsis summarises the roles and responsibilities of the Partners and
describes the required inputs needed for the effective implementation and delivery of the
Project.
The Project synopsis forms Annex 2 of the Access and Benefit-sharing Agreement between
the State of Victoria, Australia (represented by the Royal Botanic Gardens Board Victoria)
and the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew, United Kingdom.
1.1 BACKGROUND
The Royal Botanic Gardens Melbourne is administered by a board of management established
under the Royal Botanic Gardens Act 1991. The Board is under the general direction and
control of the Minister for Environment. Through collaboration with the Department of
Sustainability and Environment (DSE), the principal agency for biological conservation in the
State, RBGM has a key role in conservation of threatened and significant Victorian plant
species. It currently maintains an ex situ living collection of over 50 threatened Victorian
plant species, as well as a small, long-term (-20oC storage) bank of seed of a number of highly
threatened species. This material is maintained to support reinforcement and translocation
actions recommended in Action Statements prepared by or on behalf of DSE, as a
consequence of threatened taxa being listed on Schedule 2 of the Flora and Fauna Guarantee
Act 1988, Victoria’s main legislative mechanism for biodiversity protection. However, with
an ever-increasing number of taxa being added to Schedule 2 of the Act, and with a wider
perception of the value of properly maintained seedbanks, there is now a recognised need to
strengthen the capacity for seedbanking as a critical component of recovery plans for
threatened species and species critical for survival of threatened communities. While
recognising the importance of ex situ collections, RBGM is committed to the proposition that
in situ conservation must be the priority approach for effective conservation efforts.
Consequently, RBGM staff, often in collaboration with DSE officers, Parks Victoria,
community groups and local authorities, are also actively involved in documenting and
monitoring threatened plant species in the wild.
The MSBP is a plant conservation initiative managed by the Seed Conservation Department,
Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew. The MSBP aims by 2010 to collect from the wild and submit
to long-term storage seed 10% of the world’s seed-bearing flora, concentrating on arid and
semi-arid regions; many of which have undergone massive degradation through urbanisation
and cropping. An associated aim of the MSB Project is to enhance skill development among
the international partners through the promotion of shared research and training, so that plant
conservation expertise continues to grow in extent and sophistication.
Existing relationships between RBGK and Australian partners in Western Australia, South
Australia, Queensland, New South Wales, Tasmania and Northern Territory demonstrate the
value of these partnerships in achieving the shared goals of conservation and collaborative
research, resulting in a deeper understanding of the Australian flora. The securing of a similar
relationship with Victoria will go a long way to ensuring the long-term protection of
Australia’s most threatened plant species.
A five-year collaborative program between RBGM and MSBP has been developed that builds
on the existing threatened species seed collection at RBGM. The major components of the
program will be the development of seed processing and storage facilities at RBGM, staff
training and the collection of an agreed quantum of seed to be stored by both partners. A
further component of the Project, in support of the seed collecting, will explore ‘valueadding’ activities, such as researching aspects of seed biology and behaviour under storage
conditions; such information being vital to the utilisation of stored seed in species recovery
programs and adding to a rapidly growing national initiative to investigate seed biology.
1.2 PROJECT DESCRIPTION
1.2.1
Project Purpose
The development of an effective ex situ seed-based conservation program and facility based at
RBGM that will, through an integrated approach, enhance the conservation of Victorian plant
species and ecological communities regarded as at risk or critical to the maintenance of the
State’s biodiversity.
1.2.2
Project Outputs
The Project addresses both the ex-situ and in-situ conservation of Victorian species and
ecological communities. The Project Purpose will be addressed through the delivery of the
following three Project outputs:
1. Establishment of a facility to maintain a secure, vouchered, long-term seed collection of
Victorian threatened and otherwise significant plant species that is available and utilised
for recovery activities
2. Increased knowledge and capacity to collect and conserve seed within staff of RBGM and
DSE
3. Bringing about an understanding within government and the broader community of the
critical role of seed collections in an integrated approach to species and community
conservation and restoration.
1.2.3
Project Activities
The Project outputs will be delivered through the implementation of activities including but
not restricted to:
A. Recruitment of key seed collecting staff by RBGM
B. Training of RBGM and DSE staff in seed conservation techniques through in-service
associations with other Australian RBGK partners and, where appropriate, through
courses and research attachments at the Millennium Seed Bank in the United Kingdom
C. Establish a high-quality seed conservation facility through the procurement of specific
seed treatment, testing and cleaning equipment
D. Collection, in an ecologically sustainable and ethical way, of seed from Victorian species
that are considered threatened and/or critical to biodiversity conservation. Collecting aims
and activities will be consistent with the Victorian Biodiversity Strategy 1997 and
Action 1.9.3 of the National Strategy for the Conservation of Australia’s Biological
Diversity
E. Seed testing on collected accessions to ensure the quality of the seed to be stored
F. In collaboration with MSBP and other Australian Partners, researching methods to
overcome dormancy issues in species identified as being difficult to germinate
G. Storage of duplicated long-term seed collections and herbarium voucher specimens at
RBGM and RBGK
H. Sharing seed viability and germination results carried out on material at RBGM and
RBGK
I. Fostering the science of seed biology through research activities involving teaching staff
and students from The University of Melbourne, Institute of Land and Food Resources
J. Establishment and training of a network of regional DSE staff and volunteers in remote
areas of Victoria to assist in field monitoring and seed collection
K. Dissemination of new findings relating to seed biology and germination techniques
generated during the Project by addresses at conferences and in journal publications.
The Project will aim to increase the profile of conservation seed banking and attract
additional support from the corporate and government sectors, allowing RBGM to retain
Project technical staff beyond the life of the Project.
1.3 BENEFIT-SHARING
The Partners have identified the following mutually acceptable benefit-sharing activities for
the Project:
Provision of additional Project staff at RBGM:



The MSBP will finance the recruitment of a full time Seed Bank Coordinator to be based
at RBGM to support seed collection and conservation activities for the duration of the
Project;
The MSBP will finance the recruitment of a half time technician to support the Seed Bank
Coordinator;
As an in-kind contribution, RBGM and DSE will devote, from existing staff the
equivalent of at least a 0.5 full-time-equivalent position dispersed between RBGM and
critical regional locations within Victoria to support seed collection, cleaning, storage and
related conservation activities for the duration of the Project.
Training of RBGM and DSE staff:
Royal Botanic Gardens Kew will facilitate and finance:
 Training of the Seedbank Coordinator (RBGM) via a four-week attachment at MSBP;
 An annual joint-collecting and seed-processing exercise with RBGM Project staff and an
interstate MSBP Partner to develop skills and reinforce protocols of best-practice seed
collection, preparation and storage;
 Training in seed collection, preparation and storage techniques of DSE regional staff and
volunteers involved in the Project.
Provision of equipment:
Royal Botanic Gardens Kew will finance the purchase of:
 Two humidity controlled incubators;
 One dust extractor unit;
 One non-destructive equilibrium relative humidity meter;
 One vacuum seed cleaner;
 One lap-top computer;

Upgrade of RBGM field collecting kit.
This equipment will become the property of RBGM at the conclusion of the Project.
Seed collection costs:
Royal Botanic Gardens Kew will finance field costs (other than vehicle costs) associated with
RBGM technical staff for a total of 225 field days over an estimated 100,000 kilometres
during the Project.
1.4 PROJECT CONTEXT AND RATIONALE
Victoria is the most densely populated of the Australian States and consequently has seen a
very high degree of land alienation and modification since settlement. Less than 30% of
original vegetated cover remains, with grasslands and grassy woodlands having been
particularly targeted for cropping, grazing and urban growth. Weed invasion, fragmentation
of naturally vegetated landscapes and antagonistic management, particularly through the
imposition of inappropriate fire regimes, overlay the historical pattern of alienation so that
many plant communities (and their dependent plant and animal species) are now threatened
with extinction. Forty-six plant species present at the time of European settlement are now
considered to be extinct in Victoria (DSE 2004). To avoid further losses, it is critical that
remaining areas of natural vegetation, particularly those large enough to permit natural
community functioning, be conserved and appropriately managed. To begin to reverse this
trend of decline, the restoration of degraded landscapes and connection of vegetated
fragments is essential.
In 2002, delegates at the Sixth meeting of the Conference of the Parties to the Convention on
Biological Diversity (CBD) agreed to a Global Strategy for Plant Conservation (GSPC).
The strategy is binding on all signatories to the CBD. Australia is signatory to the CBD. The
GSPC comprises sixteen targets to be achieved by 2010, with each target specifically
designed to guide and measure the conservation of threatened plant species and ecosystems.
The Project closely addresses Target 8 of the GSPC:
“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 programs”.
To achieve this target, seedbanking is the best strategy. No other method allows for
efficiency of wide genetic representation of a range of species. With the support of RBGK,
the Project will allow Victoria to fulfil its commitment to Target 8 of the GSPC at the same
time as contributing to national and state biodiversity conservation goals.
In 1996, the governments of all Australian States and Territories agreed to the National
Strategy for the Conservation of Australia’s Biological Diversity. One of the goals of that
strategy has particular relevance for the Project: Objective 1.9 (ex situ conservation):
“To complement in situ measures, establish and maintain facilities for ex situ research
into and conservation of plants, animals and microorganisms …and encouraging
germplasm banks to identify and develop commercial and other applications of
germplasm relevant to the conservation of biological diversity, especially those
involving the use of plants for rehabilitation”.
The Commonwealth Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999
was ratified to enhance Australia’s capacity to conserve its biodiversity. The Project will
contribute directly to the requirements of the Act as described in Section 3, Subsection 2e:
“Protecting native species and in particular prevent the extinction, and promote
the recovery of threatened species…”
and
“…promotion of off-reserve conservation measures”.
The Victorian Flora and Fauna Guarantee Act 1998 has the objective to ensure the survival
of all Victoria’s native flora and fauna and the maintenance of their genetic diversity. Under
that legislation, Action Statements are prepared for listed threatened species. Many of these
statements require the establishment of ex situ collections.
A number of important objectives of the Royal Botanic Gardens’ Policy for Conservation of
Plant Biodiversity are addressed by the actions outlined in the Project, including:
Objective 1.3:
“Maintain a substantial and diverse ex situ collection of rare or threatened plants,
including cultivars, which seeks to maximise the genetic diversity for each taxon.
Practice reintroduction of threatened plants from these ex situ collections to natural
habitats”;
Objective 3.4:
“Initiate and contribute to the development and implementation of management plans
for rare and threatened plant species and ecosystems”;
Objective 5:
“Build networks and alliances with other people and organisations committed to
conservation”.
Further, as a signatory to the CBD, Australia recognises its responsibility to develop
frameworks for access to and utilisation of genetic resources. The Nationally Consistent
Approach for Access to and the Utilisation of Australia’s Native Genetic and
Biochemical Resources (Approach) was developed and endorsed in 2002. This Approach
emphasises Australia’s commitment to work with stakeholders to provide ecologically
sustainable access to biota. The Project will accord with an important objective of the
Approach:
“ensure that the collection of native biological material is undertaken in an
ecologically sustainable and ethical way”.
1.5 COLLECTION CRITERIA AND TARGETS
Victoria has a flora of approximately 3,060 species of native seed-bearing plants (Ross &
Walsh 2003). 667 taxa are regarded as threatened (DSE 2004), with about 230 of these listed
on Schedule 2 of the Flora and Fauna Guarantee (1988). There are 778 taxa regarded as
rare, but not currently threatened. 396 taxa are endemic in Victoria. There are 32 plant
communities listed as threatened on Schedule 2 of the Flora and Fauna Guarantee (1988).
The seed-collecting program will focus on those species that are threatened, endemic or rare,
or are key components of threatened communities. Appropriately sized seed collections will
be made and duplicated equally between RBGM and RBGK. The rarity of some species will
prevent collection of large numbers of seed. These will be retained at RBGM as unicate
collections. Over the life of the Project it is proposed to collect at least 450 species not
presently represented in the MSB to be added to their collection. A preliminary target list of
530 taxa has been prepared. This will be refined after consultation with other Australian
MSB partners in recognition of target species in common between States.
At the end of the Project it is envisaged that virtually all threatened Victorian species capable
of yielding seed numbers high enough to be useful for conservation actions will have been
collected, tested for germinability and committed to long-term storage. The seeds supplied to
MSB will consist of representatives of this and other priority groups listed above.
1.6 PROJECT ADMINISTRATION
The Project shall be coordinated in Victoria by the Plant Sciences and Biodiversity Division,
RBGM. The MSB International Program Coordinator for Australia will provide further
guidance.
Funds will be disbursed annually to RBGM via electronic transfer in Australian dollars to a
designated account on the basis of annual plans and reports drawn up between the partners.
Formal reporting will be on a biannual basis against a Project logical framework to be
developed within the first 3 months of the Project.
1.7 PROJECT RESOURCES
RBGM will provide:
 Project management
 Administrative and line-management support
 Physical infrastructure (workspace, communications, computer, laboratory space and
equipment, access to and use of nursery facilities)
 Institutional support through the collecting program, material processing, handling and
despatch of duplicate material to MSBP.
DSE will provide:
 Funds for the purchase/hire and running cost ($20 000 p.a.) of a field vehicle
 Assistance with seed and voucher collection through regional staff
 Permission for Project staff to collect plant material in accordance with provisions of the
Flora and Fauna Guarantee Act 1988 and the National Parks Act 1975.
MSBP will provide:
 Funds as agreed in the annual budget statement to implement Project activities;
 Administrative support for the coordination of seed duplication;
 Logistical support to Project staff visiting RBGK for the purposes of undertaking Project
activities;
 At least 1 annual visit of the MSBP International Coordinator for Australia to RBGM.
1.8 ACCESS TO VICTORIAN PLANT GENETIC RESOURCES
The Royal Botanic Gardens Board (representing the State of Victoria), and the Board of
Trustees of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew (representing the Millennium Seed Bank
Project) have entered into an Access and Benefit-Sharing Agreement. Through this
agreement, the State of Victoria gives its Prior Informed Consent (PIC) and approval to the
Project.
1.9 REFERENCES
Department of Sustainability and Environment (2004 ). Advisory list of rare or threatened
plants in Victoria – 2003, http://www.dse.vic.gov.au/dse/nrenpa.nsf/FID/
Ross, J.H. & Walsh, N.G. (2003). A census of the vascular plants of Victoria 7th edn, Royal
Botanic Gardens, Melbourne, Victoria.
Legislation and Acts:
Convention on Biological Diversity, 1992 (International)
Environmental Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999 (Australia)
Flora and Fauna Guarantee Act 1988 (Victoria)
Global Strategy for Plant Conservation, 2002 (International)
Nationally Consistent Approach for Access to and the Utilisation of Australia’s Native
Genetic and Biochemical Resources, 2002 (Australia)
National Strategy for the Conservation of Australia’s Biological Diversity. Department of the
Environment, Sport and Territories, 1996 (Australia)
Royal Botanic Gardens Act 1991 (Victoria)
Victorian Biodiversity Strategy 1997 (Victoria)