The Alpine Seed Conservation and Research Network - a new initiative to conserve valuable plant species in the European Alps

Safeguarding plants as seeds in ex situ collections is a cost effective element in an integrated plant conservationapproach. The European Alps are a regional centre of plant diversity. Six institutions have established a regional network covering the European Alps which will conserveat least 500 priority plant species and which will improve the conservation statusof plant species in grassland communities in the subalpine, alpine and nival altitudinal belts. Targeted research will expand the knowledge of the ecology of target species. Public engagementactivities will raise the awareness for the importance of specific conservationactions in the European Alps.