NTSC TOPIC - Tree Seed Traits

The National Tree Seed Centre (NTSC) is Canada’s only active national germplasm bank dedicated to conserving forest reproductive material (FRM), such as seeds, pollen, and somatic embryos. The NTSC was established in 1967 with a focus on obtaining, testing, storing, and providing native and exotic tree and shrub seeds of known origin for research and breeding. After ratifying the 1992 Convention on Biological Diversity, the mandate expanded to conserve the genetic diversity of all native tree species against in situ threats. The NTSC is currently located at the Atlantic Forestry Centre (Fredericton, New Brunswick), with facilities to store orthodox and exceptional species, including cryogenic storage. Moisture content and storage temperature are the two most important variables that impact seed longevity. Much of the collection is of species with orthodox seed behaviour, which can be dried and frozen for decades. Through in-house experiments and routine testing, protocols are developed and standardized to maximize the viability and vigour of all samples for end use. For more information, visit: https://natural-resources.canada.ca/science-and-data/research-centres-and-labs/forestry-research-centres/atlantic-forestry-centre/national-tree-seed-centre/13449

As of October 2021, over 13,000 unique seed collections from over 200 tree and shrub species have been registered, tested and made available to researchers worldwide. Relevant NTSC field and laboratory data were extracted and evaluated for inclusion in the Traits of Plants in Canada (TOPIC) empirical module. Ecologically relevant NTSC seed trait records include those with:

• Taxonomic identification to the species level, including subspecies, varieties, and hybrid,
• Provided geocoordinates and local provenance information,
• Collection date and/or year,
• Empirical measurements taken within 2 years of collection (may include multiple dormancy-breaking tests on the fresh sample before storage, but excludes NTSC’s long-term repeated measures once in storage), and
• Sample sizes and test methodology provided in sufficient detail.

The Traits of Plants in Canada (TOPIC) database serves as a hub for centralizing knowledge on plant functional traits in Canada. Under the Canadian Trait Network, this database integrates trait data from large, disconnected scientific sources to facilitate research on plant and forest ecology, community ecology and forest sustainability. Following international standards, the database ensures the datasets are properly documented and archived, facilitating their re-use and discoverability.

Please cite NTSC TOPIC - Tree Seed Traits as follows: National Tree Seed Centre - Le Centre national de semences forestières. (2024). Tree seeds functional traits from the National Tree Seed Center - Traits fonctionnels des semences d’arbres du Centre national de semences forestières.[Dataset - Jeu de données]. https://doi.org/10.23687/c3d02090-959d-4762-a5ff-77339c7414b6

Please cite TOPIC open as follows: Aubin, I., Boisvert-Marsh, L., Munson, A.D. 2021. Traits of plants in Canada (TOPIC) Open access - Traits des plantes au Canada (TOPIC) ouvert. doi: https://doi.org/10.23687/bb14c6bf-75f7-4ff2-b97e-689fa768905c