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The European Native Seed Industry: Characterization and Perspectives in Grassland Restoration

Author

Listed:
  • Marcello De Vitis

    (Scotia Seeds, Angus DD96TR, UK)

  • Holly Abbandonato

    (MUSE—Science Museum, 38122 Trento, Italy
    Department of Earth and Environmental Sciences, University of Pavia, 27100 Pavia, Italy)

  • Kingsley W. Dixon

    (Department of Environment and Agriculture, Curtin University, Bentley 6029, Australia)

  • Giles Laverack

    (Scotia Seeds, Angus DD96TR, UK)

  • Costantino Bonomi

    (MUSE—Science Museum, 38122 Trento, Italy)

  • Simone Pedrini

    (Department of Environment and Agriculture, Curtin University, Bentley 6029, Australia)

Abstract

The European Union committed to restore 15% of degraded ecosystems by 2020, and to comply with this goal, native plant material, such as seeds, is needed in large quantities. The native seed production of herbaceous species plays a critical role in supplying seed for restoration of a key ecosystem: grasslands. The objective of this work is to provide for the first time a characterization of the sector at a multi-country European level together with key information about the community of native seed users via intensive web-based research and a direct survey of industry participants. Based on more than 1300 contacts and direct surveying of more than 200 stakeholders across Europe, responses indicated that: the European native seed industry consists primarily of small to medium enterprises; responding native seed users purchase annually an average of 3600 kg of seeds with an average expenditure of €17,600; the industry (suppliers and consumers) favours development of seed zones and would participate in a European network for knowledge sharing. This study provides framework principles that can guide decisions in this sector, critical for fulfilling the growing demand for native seed as a primary tool for large-scale restoration on the continent.

Suggested Citation

  • Marcello De Vitis & Holly Abbandonato & Kingsley W. Dixon & Giles Laverack & Costantino Bonomi & Simone Pedrini, 2017. "The European Native Seed Industry: Characterization and Perspectives in Grassland Restoration," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 9(10), pages 1-14, September.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jsusta:v:9:y:2017:i:10:p:1682-:d:112674
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    Citations

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    Cited by:

    1. Luca Giupponi & Valeria Leoni, 2020. "Alpine Pioneer Plants in Soil Bioengineering for Slope Stabilization and Restoration: Results of a Preliminary Analysis of Seed Germination and Future Perspectives," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 12(17), pages 1-15, September.

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