How policies constrain native seed supply for restoration in Brazil

Danilo I de Urzedo; Robert J Fisher; Fatima C M Pina-Rodrigues; Juliana M Freire; Rodrigo G P Junqueira

doi:10.1111/rec.12936

Back

How policies constrain native seed supply for restoration in Brazil

Journal article

Peer reviewed

How policies constrain native seed supply for restoration in Brazil

Danilo I de Urzedo, Robert J Fisher, Fatima C M Pina-Rodrigues, Juliana M Freire and Rodrigo G P Junqueira

Restoration Ecology, Vol.27(4), pp.768-774

2019

DOI: https://doi.org/10.1111/rec.12936

Files and links (1)

url

https://doi.org/10.1111/rec.12936View

Published Version

Abstract

Environmental Sciences

Biological Sciences

native seed production

native seeds

seed networks

seed policy

Large-scale ecological restoration programs across the world involve a voluminous demand for native seeds of diverse native plant species. In this article, we explore how institutional systems have operated and impacted native seed supply in Brazil. Native seed supply for restoration is essentially a community-based activity which faces broad barriers to operating within regulations because of requirements for excessive and costly technical documentation, scarcity of seed laboratories, and lack of instructions for native seed quality testing. Although decentralized seed networks have stimulated arrangements for local organizations to promote seed supply, policies constrain the development of local capacities and the ongoing sustainability of these organizations. These conditions have resulted in a vast network of informal collectors and producers who are largely "invisible" and unknown to the regulatory authorities. Policies have decentralized responsibilities from the state without devolving decision-making power to the multiple stakeholders engaged in policy elaboration. The policies maintain the centralized regulation of native seed supply. After examining Brazilian seed networks' experiences and conducting discussions with stakeholders and experts, we suggest adapting the current regulations to more local level contexts, encompassing the following strategies: (1) ensuring native seed origin and identity; (2) relaxation of the laboratory accreditation process for native seed quality assurance; (3) fostering seed markets for restoration; (4) research to provide technological innovation; (5) supporting local, diverse, and small seed-based businesses.

Details

Title: How policies constrain native seed supply for restoration in Brazil
Authors: Danilo I de Urzedo (Corresponding Author) - The University of Sydney
Robert J Fisher (Author) - The University of Sydney
Fatima C M Pina-Rodrigues (Author) - Universidade Federal de São Carlos
Juliana M Freire (Author) - Brazilian Agricultural Research Corporation
Rodrigo G P Junqueira (Author)
Publication details: Restoration Ecology, Vol.27(4), pp.768-774
Publisher: Wiley-Blackwell Publishing Inc.
Date published: 2019
DOI: 10.1111/rec.12936
ISSN: 1061-2971
Organisation Unit: Tropical Forests and People Research Centre; University of the Sunshine Coast, Queensland; Forest Research Institute
Language: English
Record Identifier: 99450773102621
Output Type: Journal article

Metrics

294 Record Views

26 Times Cited - Web of Science

InCites Highlights

These are selected metrics from InCites Benchmarking & Analytics tool, related to this output

Collaboration types: Domestic collaboration; International collaboration
Web Of Science research areas: Ecology

UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)

This output has contributed to the advancement of the following goals:

Source: InCites