The Seed Room
Discover the diversity we safeguard for the future.
Safeguarding possibility.
Reported Svalbard holdings — not live data, worldwide totals or Wanza holdings.
Source: Svalbard Global Seed Vault
Last checked: 11 October 2026 · Reporting date not specified.
Seed samples are not counts of individual seeds.
What are we safeguarding?
Why plant diversity matters
Plant diversity supports food, ecosystems and the many ways people depend on plants. Safeguarding diversity means caring for different plants and the knowledge that accompanies them.
Why origins and records matter
A name is only part of a plant’s story. Reliable records of origin, identification and cultivation make a collection more useful for learning and responsible conservation.
Different plants, different approaches
Not every seed can be dried and frozen. Conservation may involve suitable seed storage, living collections or other specialist methods, depending on the plant.
A world of reliable resources.
NordGen Svalbard portal
Explore records of seed deposits safeguarded at Svalbard.
Genesys
Discover plant genetic resource accessions held by genebanks.
BGCI PlantSearch
Discover plants documented in botanical collections.
Plants of the World Online
Consult Kew’s reference for plant names and distribution.
These resources serve different purposes. Their holdings should not be added together. Links do not imply affiliation.
Knowledge begins
with careful records.
Wanza is developing its work in identification, documentation and responsible horticulture. Ethiopian conservation statistics and examples will be added only when reviewed sources are available.
This is a digital educational exhibit. It does not describe an operating Wanza seed vault, seed inventory or laboratory.
Sources & credits