Forest seed production and conservation: current situation and perspectives in Ecuador

Abstract

The objective of this paper is to assess the current situation of forest seed production and conservation in Ecuador, through the analysis of documents. It is noted that there are two strategies for the conservation and/or production of seeds in the country. In situ conservation shows results from the selection of seed sources from different actors: the EcoPAr foundation selected 20 in Andean forests in the Sierra, the Municipality of Quito identified 28, while Solidaridad Internacional installed 33 in Orellana, among others. Ex situ conservation developed alternatives such as: cryopreservation, long term, medium term, in vitro and field. The National Germplasm Bank of The National Autonomous Institute of Agro-Livestock Research has 72 species with 85 accessions, the Bank of the Private Technological University de Loja has 500 species in more than 800 accessions and there are also seven botanical gardens. The efforts made and the different experiences obtained are isolated. There are limitations of constructive and technological infrastructure, human resources, as well as deficiencies in the inter-institutional coordination of inventories and management plans of the forests that have seed sources.