Preserving the Future: The Wakehurst Millennium Seed Bank

The video discusses the Millennium Seed Bank Project (MSBP), which conserves seeds from around the world to protect plant biodiversity. It highlights the alarming rate of plant extinction and the importance of collecting endangered, endemic, and economically important seeds. The process involves careful collection, identification, and storage in bomb and radiation-proof vaults. The MSBP also supports research and conservation efforts, especially in developing regions. The project aims to safeguard rare species like Solyndrophyllum halii, ensuring their survival in the face of habitat loss due to human expansion.

What is the primary goal of scientifically trained seed collectors?

• To sell seeds for profit

• To conserve a wide variety of plant species

• To create new plant species

• To decorate gardens

Why is there a need to increase agricultural land according to the transcript?

• To build more cities

• To provide more recreational areas

• To accommodate the growing human population

• To increase forest cover

What is the purpose of the special seed sorting machine?

• To plant seeds automatically

• To label the seeds

• To remove seeds from flowers or shell casings

• To water the seeds

How are seeds protected in the MSBP facility?

• By freezing them in ice

• By placing them in glass jars

• By storing them in underground vaults

• By keeping them in open fields

What rare plant species was successfully grown in the MSB glasshouse?

• Quercus robur

• Ficus elastica

• Rosa rubiginosa

• Solyndrophyllum halii