Tanzania

Longido, in the north of Tanzania

Tanzania is thought to have some 10,000 plant species recorded to date making it one of the most botanically diverse countries in Africa. From the coastal forest to the alpine vegetation on Mt. Kilimanjaro -  Africa’s highest point - a wonderful variety of habitats and plant forms exists. The Coastal forests and forest stands associated with the Eastern Arc Mountains have been recognised as an area of outstanding plant diversity. Without exception, each of these recognisable habitat types suffers from the pressures of land use with an ever-increasing population.

The African violet, icon of Tanzanian plant conservation (Photo: A. McRobb)

Working alongside the National Plant Genetic Resources Centre, the Tree Seed Agency, the National Herbarium and the University of Dar es Salaam, The Millennium Seed Bank Project is helping these Tanzania partners to play their role in improving the conservation, management and sustainable use of many of Tanzania’s priority plant species.

The Project focuses on the ex situ conservation of indigenous plants from the dryland regions of Tanzania, in reality an area of land covering some 61% of Tanzania’s total land area. With the establishment of long term conservation collections at its core, the Project targets species of high conservation and utilitarian value, specifically species which are endemic, rare, threatened or of known value to local communities.

The Project began in late 2005 and will deliver 5 major outputs over a 5yr project period:

Output 1:          Facilitation of the establishment of legal and regulatory frameworks for conservation and sustainable utilisation of plant genetic resources in Tanzania;
Output 2:          Identification of target species for conservation and production of guides for their collection;
Output 3:          Establishment of appropriately documented, long-term collections of seed and associated herbarium specimens for use in scientific research, education and conservation;
Output 4:          Improved capacity of partner institutes to deliver seed conservation of wild plant species;

Mt. Kilimanjaro, the highest point on the African continent.

Output 5:          Research priorities established, research capacity improved, and data and information acquired in order to create a better understanding for conservation and sustainable use of wild seeds.