Topic and research

The scientific research in the GPNP: The Aosta Valley Region Germplasm Bank

Often by biodiversity we only refer to the different number of species, for example plants, present in a territory. In reality, it is a much more complex concept, articulated on several levels. Even the variability of genes within the same species and at a given time is biodiversity and must be safeguarded. The conservation and management of genetic resources has proven to be a priority action for protected areas in recent years. 
Since 2016, the Park has been collaborating with the ‘Efisio Noussan’ Regional Museum of Natural Sciences, which houses the Aosta Valley Germplasm Bank (seed bank). The species selected for conservation in the Bank are present in the Valle d'Aosta and Piedmontese territory of the Park. PNGP technicians carry out modest seed collections following specific international protocols. They are repeated over the years without weakening spontaneous populations and guaranteeing in situ reproduction (i.e. on site, in the wild). 
Each sample is dried, cleaned, dehydrated, packaged and frozen at -20°C/-25°C and stored in the Bank. Germination tests are carried out periodically, and the resulting plants are then cultivated here in Paradisia by also preserving live plants. The Germplasm Bank makes it possible to safeguard the biodiversity of these mountains, and by germinating and growing plants from the seeds collected, it will make it possible in the future to reintroduce or reinforce spontaneous populations at risk of extinction [https://www.iucn.it/liste-rosse-italiane.php]. 
As of 2024, more than one million seeds from 79 different plant species from 115 different stations are stored in the Bank.

Often by biodiversity we only refer to the different number of species, for example plants, present in a territory. In reality, it is a much more complex concept, articulated on several levels. Even the variability of genes within the same species and at a given time is biodiversity and must be safeguarded. The conservation and management of genetic resources has proven to be a priority action for protected areas in recent years.

Since 2016, the Park has been collaborating with the ‘Efisio Noussan’ Regional Museum of Natural Sciences, which houses the Aosta Valley Germplasm Bank (seed bank). The species selected for conservation in the Bank are present in the Valle d'Aosta and Piedmontese territory of the Park. PNGP technicians carry out modest seed collections following specific international protocols. They are repeated over the years without weakening spontaneous populations and guaranteeing in situ reproduction (i.e. on site, in the wild).

Each sample is dried, cleaned, dehydrated, packaged and frozen at -20°C/-25°C and stored in the Bank. Germination tests are carried out periodically, and the resulting plants are then cultivated here in Paradisia by also preserving live plants. The Germplasm Bank makes it possible to safeguard the biodiversity of these mountains, and by germinating and growing plants from the seeds collected, it will make it possible in the future to reintroduce or reinforce spontaneous populations at risk of extinction [https://www.iucn.it/liste-rosse-italiane.php].          

As of 2024, more than one million seeds from 79 different plant species from 115 different stations are stored in the Bank.


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