The Omaha's Henry Doorly Zoo Department for Plant Conservation has mission functions that include:
Conservation Biotechnology: The lab personnel are conducting research critical for ex situ conservation and in-situ conservation, through in-vitro micropropagation, tissue culture, and somatic embryogenesis. Technologies have also been developed for seed cryostorage, and large-scale micropropagation of threatened plants used in restoration projects in North America, Bermuda, and Madagascar. The following are a few of the accomplishments made recently by the Department for Plant Conservation:
- Developed protocols for threatened species.
- Application of advanced tissue culture techniques for recalcitrant plant species.
- Methods for successful transfer of in vitro propagated plants to restoration projects.
- Cryogenic methods that have resulted in the long-term storage of seeds for many endangered plant species.
- Biotechnology transfer, through training of scientists from the home countries, where many of the researched species are endemic (native to the country).
Restoration Ecology: Innovative research to enhance restoration conservation methods for endangered plant species.
- Soil science studies.
- Soil microbe propagation and research for endangered plants that require microbial associations for their survival.
- Improved recovery methods for rare and threatened plant species.
- Research on various factors that can limit species establishment in their natural habitats.
- Micropropagation and tissue culture techniques to produce large numbers of threatened species used in restoration projects.
- Direct participation in species restoration projects in North America, Bermuda and Madagascar for many of the species researched by Omaha's Henry Doorly Zoo Department for Plant Conservation.
- Field studies of the natural habitat through soil study, precipitation records, microbial soil contents and temperature factors for each of the threatened plants currently researched, in order to develop successful stress assessments for re-established species.
Conservation Seed and Spore Science: Research into seed and spore dormancy and germination requirements. Develop successful methods for seed germination of native plants used in habitat restoration projects.
- Determine seed and spore dormancy types for difficult species.
- Research seed storage behavior and longevity through cryogenic techniques for effective seed and spore banking at Omaha's Henry Doorly Zoo.
- Technology transfer to visiting scientists, for successful propagation and reintroduction methods that are applicable in a species' home country.
Why Plant Conservation is important at Omaha's Henry Doorly Zoo
More than 55,000 square miles of rainforest are destroyed each year. It is estimated that for every plant species that goes extinct 10 to 30 animal species disappear with it. Worldwide nearly one in eight plant species faces the possible threat of extinction. Yet animals and humans can not survive without the plants that provide their food, shelter, medicine and cover.
The lab is dedicated to expanding our plant conservation efforts so that future generations can enjoy the beneficial products and aesthetic benefits plants provide and to ensure that these endangered plant species continue to exist on earth.
Organizations that have provided collaborative efforts with the Department for Plant Conservation:
US Fish and Wildlife Services (USFWS)
Audubon
Nature Conservancy
Nebraska Game and Parks
Minnesota Zoo, Como Conservatory,
International Plant Genetic Resources Institute at Fort Collins Colorado
University of Antananarivo in Madagascar
Bermuda Museum of Natural History, Botanic Garden, Aquarium and Zoo (BAMZ)
Bermuda's Department of the Environment
University of Nebraska Medical Center
Grants that have aided in the Plant Research Department:
The IMLS grant, 'Cryopreserving the Imperiled Plant Collection' of Madagascar.
Nebraska Department of Roads
Iowa Living Heritage Roadway Trust
Nebraska Environmental Trust
Sherwood Foundation
San Diego County Orchid Society Conservation Fund
Mid-America Orchid Congress
Association
of Zoological Horticulture