The potential impacts of climate change on ex situ conservation options for recalcitrant-seeded species

Recalcitrant seeds are characterized by desiccation and freezing sensitivity, short storage longevity. These physiological attributes obviate their ex situ conservation in conventional seed banks, where stored dry at sub-zero temperatures (typically, 15% relative humidity –20°C) for extended periods of time. Propagation plants field collections (e.g., botanical gardens, nurseries, arboretums) is a valuable option. However, these relatively costly, require high maintenance, preserve limited genetic diversity and/or directly exposed to biotic pests) abiotic climatic) threats. Therefore, recalcitrant-seeded (RS) species dependent on cryopreservation safe long-term conservation. Different explant sources such as whole seeds, zygotic embryos, dormant buds, shoot tips, pollen, can be used plant propagation RS well cryopreservation. The success the or explants often depends developmental status, vigor, tolerance chilling/freezing. modulated environment donor grows we hypothesize that climate change, affecting biological attributes, would impact To support this hypothesis, have reviewed how temperature changes drought, two main change scenarios, affect involved tropical temperate species. In general, increases drought will negatively development quality Consequently, may need moved more suitable places higher latitudes/altitudes). Additionally, find reduction germplasm harvested from collections. cannot always generalize effects all since they depend origin tend respond differently), genotype, adaptive potential each population, severity environmental change. On other hand, increase water stress high-latitude areas also some environments favor production seedlings better adapted drying, hence, embryo