G UIDELINES NATIVE SEED COLLECTION METHODS6 Seed collection is an activity that can be can be used. It stresses the importance of undertaken by people of all ages and skill preparation and planning for seed collection levels, and can be very satisfying. Any and the need to collect mature seed. robust person with some basic knowledge We assume that you already have some and equipment can easily and inexpensively experience of collecting native plant seed collect native seeds. For those involved in and a basic knowledge of how to accurately community revegetation projects, seed identify flora in the field, understand plant collection is a great way to learn more reproduction, seed biology and ecology, and about the plants being used and gives when and where to collect seed. You can communities greater ownership of all stages find out more about these subjects from in the revegetation cycle. various sources, such as standard botanical However, collecting native seed on a larger references, textbooks, field keys and local scale (for example, in every season and for a knowledge. There are also other guidelines wide range of plants) is a demanding from FloraBank that provide important endeavour. Making such an activity cost- information about seed collection. They effective adds an extra element of difficulty. include: There may be many natural, logistical and • Guideline 4: Keeping records about native bureaucratic hurdles to overcome – one seed collections could spend a lifetime learning to collect native seed efficiently in one region; only a • Guideline 5: Seed collection from woody handful of people can do it for the plants of plants for local revegetation, and their whole State, or of Australia. • Model Code of Practice for community- This guideline provides an overview of how based collectors and suppliers of native to approach seed collection and the manual plant seed. and mechanical collection methods that Planning ahead Detailed early planning of the seed For small collections all you may need is a collection trip is essential. Planning can standard approach and a checklist of help overcome natural difficulties to equipment, but detailed planning is collection (for example, seed located in tall required for large collections at remote sites. trees, unpredictable seed maturation or Your objectives should be clear and detailed sporadic seed set). Planning can also help to a level where you can match them up to avert any bureaucratic or logistical resources at your disposal. problems that could be encountered ahead Make sure you get and give adequate of collection (for example, that sufficient notice. people and resources are on hand to harvest in the naturally short collection window Collectors need to be given adequate notice presented by nature, or that you are from seed users to properly plan collections adequately equipped to collect in remote or and guarantee seed availability. Collectors difficult to access areas). require at least six months’, but 12 months’ notice is preferable. No amount of planning can change seasonal conditions, such as naturally poor seed viability, lack of rain or high levels of seed predation by insects, but planning can ensure you are aware of these conditions and that you respond well to them. 2 GUIDELINE 6: NATIVE SEED COLLECTION METHODS Target species for collection You should have a very clear idea of the You may be able to obtain seed of the species you wish to collect and which of species you require through commercial or those are priorities. To develop such a list amateur collectors and suppliers. Those you you need to consider the purpose for cannot obtain reliably from other sources collection and any specific requirements. become your target species for collection. You should include a variety of shrubs, trees, ground covers, native grasses and wetland plants in your species list. Learn about the species you collect You should gather as much information as Correct species identification is vital, so you you can on the target species you intend to should be aware of the natural variability in collect, including: appearance (morphology) of the target • botanical description species. Several excellent field guides for various parts of Australia are available (see • identifying keys Bibliography and references). If you are in • distribution doubt about identification, forward a botanical specimen (leaves, fruits and • occurrence in the local area flowers or buds pressed between sheets of • flowering, fruiting and seeding times newspaper or blotting paper) together with a description of the plant’s location, size, • whether the fruit/seed is located within general appearance and bark to your nearest hand’s reach (2 metres) or above herbarium for checking. Many Botanic • approximate number of fruit per plant Gardens, herbaria, TAFE colleges and some • approximate number of seeds per fruit community groups run plant identification workshops which provide a good • approximate time from maturity to seed introduction to field identification. shedding (weeks, months) • whether there is uneven fruit ripening on single plants Competition in collection • safety precautions (allergenic or Seed collection is a way of life and a poisonous plants) source of income for many people. There is a very healthy commercial seed Detailed information on identification and collection industry in Australia. variability of species, flowering and seeding Information on collection locations, times, and population locations can be species collection times and other sought from regional and State herbarium important background knowledge records, field botanists, foresters, beekeepers provides the commercial edge for many or other seed collectors. Keep the of these people, so don’t be surprised if accumulated information together and add some are reticent to share this type of your own field observations. This will be a information with you. valuable resource for future collections if it is kept up-to-date. GUIDELINE 6: NATIVE SEED COLLECTION METHODS 3 Decide how much seed to collect You should decide how much seed you will your current requirements and place the need of each species and the likely number extra in storage for the poorer seed years. of plants that will need to be sampled to Remember that seed put in storage must be obtain this amount. In good seeding years fully mature and handled with more care it may be desirable to collect more than during the extraction processes. Decide where to collect FloraBank Guideline 5: Seed collection from • New South Wales National Parks Service woody plants for local revegetation stresses and State Forests the importance of using local indigenous • Australian Capital Territory Parks and plants in revegetation and rehabilitation Conservation Service work. These provenances complement other plants and animals in the area • Victorian Department of Natural (ecologically and genetically), and pose the Resources and Environment least threat of genetic contamination. • South Australian State Vegetation It is also important in revegetation work to Committee match the environmental conditions at the • Tasmanian Parks and Wildlife Service, collection site to those of the planting site. and Forestry Tasmania Guideline 5 covers seed quality and which plants are best for collecting seed. • Western Australian Department of Conservation and Land Management, Suitable collecting sites should be identified and through a combination of local knowledge, publications and advice from staff from • Northern Territory Conservation relevant organisations (such as State Commission. herbaria, national parks, and State and local Alternatively, contact your forest service or government departments). You might also State herbarium. refer to books that show species You should find out the conservation status distributions and botanical surveys of the species and whether special (conducted, for example, as part of an permission is required to collect its seed (for environmental impact assessment on major example, in the case of declared rare or development projects). Conduct field endangered flora). reconnaissance to determine the exact location of your target seed population. Seed collection opportunities sometimes Where plant densities are low (a few plants arise in association with forestry operations, per hectare), you may want to mark the land clearance, road realignment and major location of individual plants on maps or by building or construction projects. You using a handheld Global Positioning should keep a regular watch on such System (GPS) instrument. operations through contacts at your local council or in State government. Be aware Obtain permission from landowners and that the collection rights to these areas may local authorities, and according to State be allocated exclusively to particular legislation. Permits are required for collectors via public tender or other collecting on public land and also for some processes. species on private land. Initial enquiries can be directed to the following: • Queensland Environment Protection (formerly the Department of Environment) and Department of Primary Industry 4 GUIDELINE 6: NATIVE SEED COLLECTION METHODS Decide when to collect In a good year, seed quality is better than Some species ripen and shed seeds within a usual and harvesting is easier. Early spring few days (for example, some Grevillea to late summer can be an especially busy species). Here the greatest problem is time for collectors. Decide when to collect missing the seed fall