Banking against time
James Wood
A seed head of Taraxacum aristum (Mountain Dandelion), a rare alpine plant in Tasmania.
Globally, there are not enough protected areas to conserve all plant species. Most are fragmented and vulnerable to threats such as climate change, introduced species, natural disasters and political instability. Seed banking stores seeds for the future, offering some insurance against extinction.
Seed banking has occurred for over 13,500 years, however ‘conservation seed banking’ of wild species is a more recent response to the decline of plant biodiversity. The Tasmanian Seed Conservation Centre at the Royal Tasmanian Botanical Gardens is committed to holding 75% of the Tasmanian threatened flora by 2020. For more info visit – https://gardens.rtbg.tas.gov.au/tscc/
BEAKER STREET SCIENCE PHOTOGRAPHY PRIZE
This photograph was a finalist in Beaker Street’s annual Science Photography Prize. This highly-respected prize invites all Tasmanians to showcase the wonders of our extraordinary part of the world — which is teeming with science and scientists. Finalist images are displayed at the Tasmanian Museum and Art Gallery during Beaker Street Festival each August, with great prizes on offer for Judges’ and People’s Choice winners.
The Beaker Street Science Photography Prize would not be possible without the support of Full Gamut, Tasmania’s premier fine art printers and long-time sponsor of this competition. Many thanks also go to Pennicott Wilderness Journeys, which donates a generous prize for the People’s Choice winner.
