{"id":83230,"date":"2025-02-25T16:45:12","date_gmt":"2025-02-25T16:45:12","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.cifor-icraf.org\/?post_type=press-release&p=83230"},"modified":"2025-02-25T16:45:15","modified_gmt":"2025-02-25T16:45:15","slug":"major-deposit-in-svalbard-vault-pushes-total-for-cifor-icraf-beyond-one-million-seeds-to-safeguard-tree-biodiversity","status":"publish","type":"press-release","link":"https:\/\/www.cifor-icraf.org\/fr\/press\/press-release\/major-deposit-in-svalbard-vault-pushes-total-for-cifor-icraf-beyond-one-million-seeds-to-safeguard-tree-biodiversity\/","title":{"rendered":"Major deposit in Svalbard Vault pushes total for CIFOR-ICRAF beyond one million seeds to safeguard tree biodiversity"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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Photo by Svalbard Global Seed Vault\/Riccardo Gangale (Flickr<\/a>)<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Longyearbyen, Norway, 25 February 2025<\/strong> \u2013 In a historic milestone at the Svalbard Global Seed Vault, the Center for International Forestry Research and World Agroforestry (CIFOR-ICRAF) deposited 120,000 seeds from 19 native African tree species, including the iconic baobab, bringing its total deposits since 2008 to over 1.1 million seeds from 177 species.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

 The Svalbard Global Seed Vault, located deep within Norway\u2019s Arctic permafrost, serves as the world\u2019s largest and ultimate safeguard for crop and tree diversity. Since the early 1990s, CIFOR-ICRAF has played a crucial role in conserving tree biodiversity and making it available for use to breeders, farmers and researchers. The organization deposited seeds for the first time at the vault\u2019s opening in 2008 and has made seven deposits since.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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CIFOR-ICRAF scientists Ramni Jamnadass and Alice Muchugi at the very first Svalbard Global Seed Vault deposit in 2008, depositing the first tree seeds. Photo by CIFOR-ICRAF<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

\u201cThis deposit marks a pivotal moment in our commitment to safeguarding the future of native tree species\u2014key pillars of food security, livelihoods and ecosystem health,\u201d said \u00c9liane Ubalijoro, CEO of CIFOR-ICRAF, who personally delivered the box of seeds from the CIFOR-ICRAF genebank to the vault. \u201cBy conserving the seeds of these mighty trees, we are not only protecting biodiversity but also strengthening the resilience of landscapes and communities against a changing climate.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

This year, the deposit includes species critical for nutrition, reforestation and climate adaptation across Africa. The African baobab, often called the \u201cTree of Life,\u201d provides food, medicine and economic benefits to millions of people. Other species in the deposit contribute to soil restoration, carbon sequestration and sustainable agroforestry practices.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

CIFOR-ICRAF\u2019s work aligns with global efforts to restore ecosystems by integrating native trees into reforestation initiatives. Research highlights the critical role of indigenous species in strengthening ecosystem resilience and supporting local communities.<\/p>\n\n\n\n