Art, obsession, and identity
The vault plays a rather critical role in global policies, since it raises awareness for institutions around the world about the importance of ensuring that the planet’s agricultural assets are protected.
As ecosystems continuously change and humanity exerts many negative side effects on nature, the Svalbard Seed Vault has never been more important. It contributes to maintaining ecological balance by preserving the genetic diversity of plants.
Aside from storage, each seed sample in the vault is meticulously documented using advanced digital systems. This documentation includes information about the seed's origin, characteristics, and storage conditions, all of which is stored in a comprehensive database.
Access to the seed vault is highly restricted. Deposits are made by gene banks and research institutions worldwide, and each depositor retains ownership of their seeds and can withdraw them at any time.
The vault has the capacity to store 4.5 million seed samples, with each sample containing about 500 seeds. Currently the vault houses over a million seed samples.
Periodic reviews and updates to the vault’s infrastructure and protocols ensure it remains at the forefront of seed preservation. The seeds are also updated every so often, since some seeds cannot be preserved for extensive periods of time.
Farmers have been known to use the vault as a means of maintaining food security. Researchers in the vault are constantly using their seeds to develop new plant varieties that can adapt to changing environmental conditions.
The seed vault supports biotechnological research by providing access to a wide array of genetic material, which is essential for scientists working on improving crops and even making them more disease-resistant.
Around the world, there are roughly 1,700 seed banks that house collections similar to Svalbard’s vault. Although Svalbard’s is the biggest and most protected, the others also play crucial roles in maintaining biodiversity.
Beyond its scientific and agricultural importance, the Svalbard Seed Vault holds cultural and historical value. It serves as a testament to human ingenuity and cooperation in preserving the planet’s biodiversity for future generations.
The Svalbard Seed Vault is often referred to as the "doomsday vault," since it acts as an insurance policy for the world’s food supply. In the event of regional or global crises, it ensures that seeds are available to restore and sustain agricultural systems.
The Svalbard Seed Vault is designed to withstand natural disasters, such as earthquakes and rising sea levels. Its robust construction, deep permafrost, and low temperature also ensure the seeds remain viable for long periods, even without human intervention.
The vault has proven its worth in times of crisis. For example, during the Syrian civil war, the International Center for Agricultural Research in the Dry Areas (ICARDA) withdrew seeds to reestablish their collection.
The Svalbard Seed Vault often engages in public and educational outreach to raise awareness about the importance of genetic conservation. Through educational programs, it highlights the significance of preserving the world’s agricultural heritage.
The Svalbard Seed Vault operates with a long-term vision, aiming to preserve seeds for centuries. Indeed, most of the seeds can be preserved for more than 200 years, all in an effort to protect future generations.
Sources: (Crop Trust) (Svalbard Global Seed Vault) (Time) (Visit Svalbard) (The Guardian)
See also: How to grow your garden without soil
The Svalbard Seed Vault is located on the remote Arctic Svalbard archipelago in Norway. It is built deep inside a mountain, and is incredibly isolated and secure in order to maintain protection from both natural and human-made disasters.
The vault’s efforts extend beyond preserving seeds of food crops; it also stores wild relatives of domesticated plants. These wild species are crucial for maintaining the genetic diversity necessary for adapting to future agricultural challenges.
The primary purpose of the Svalbard Seed Vault is to serve as a global backup storage facility for seeds. It aims to safeguard the world’s crop diversity and ensure the availability of plant species for future generations, particularly in the face of climate change and other global threats.
Inside the vault, seeds are stored at a temperature of -0.4°F (-18°C). This controlled environment, combined with the naturally cold climate of Svalbard, helps maintain the longevity of the seeds.
Continuous monitoring of the vault’s environment ensures that it remains in optimal condition. Advanced sensors track temperature and even humidity in real-time to maintain the ideal storage conditions for seed preservation.
Scientists and researchers from various fields continuously work together in the vault to develop innovative methods for conserving plant genetic resources.
The seed vault operates on the principle of global cooperation. Countries and institutions from around the world deposit duplicate seeds from their collections, contributing to a shared effort in safeguarding agricultural biodiversity and food security.
The government of Norway is responsible for the establishment and funding of the Svalbard Seed Vault. While they have overall responsibility for the institute, there is also an international panel that oversees its management.
The vault’s operations and projects are also supported by philanthropic contributions from various organizations and individuals around the globe.
The vault’s electricity is supplied by a public power plant in Longyearbyen, but the vault also has generators installed in the case of an emergency or power outage.
Students, researchers, and the general public also benefit from the vault as an educational resource. There are many freely available articles online that can help future generations understand the value of conservation and the vault’s role in maintaining it.
The world around us is changing rapidly, and all we can try to do is prepare ourselves for the future. As climate change ravages the planet and agriculture is significantly impacted, scientists have already started asking one very important question: what will happen to our crops in the future?
The Norwegians just might have the answer: the Svalbard Seed Vault. Click through the following gallery to find out how this unique place just might be home to humanity’s salvation!
What is the Svalbard Seed Vault?
Humanity’s security against complete disaster
LIFESTYLE Conservation
The world around us is changing rapidly, and all we can try to do is prepare ourselves for the future. As climate change ravages the planet and agriculture is significantly impacted, scientists have already started asking one very important question: what will happen to our crops in the future?
The Norwegians just might have the answer: the Svalbard Seed Vault. Click through the following gallery to find out how this unique place just might be home to humanity’s salvation!