Seeds for the Future

The Atlantic Forest flaunts its exuberance, with treetops that touch the sky and roots that dive deep into the soil. But all this greatness starts with something small: the seed. It takes a seed to grow a century-old tree, to provide shelter for wildlife, and to balance out the climate.

The seed is the beginning of everything. Created by plant reproduction, it carries an embryo and the promise of new life. For many plants, it's the beginning of the life cycle: a quiet start to the rhythm of nature. For the forest, it represents the past, present, and future.

Some seeds are as big as stones, and others as small as grains of sand. Some are smooth, and others rough, spherical, or flattened. Their colors, textures, and shapes are as varied as the paths they travel. Each different format is another chance for the forest to thrive.

Seeds come in a variety of shapes, and this is not random. Every detail reveals a dispersal strategy forged by evolution. This diversity of forms reflects the paths that each species has found to reach new territories, keeping the forest alive and in constant motion.

Many seeds depend on wildlife to move. Macaúba palm fruits attract birds, rodents, and other mammals that feed on the pulp, transporting the seeds to new locations. Plants and animals collaborate in these transactions to maintain the biomes' dynamic balance.

Some seeds travel with the wind. One example is the ipê-felpudo. Its winged seeds are carried by air currents over long distances. Then the seeds can reach clearings and forest edges, and begin to occupy new areas. This strategy ensures new generations in different environments.

Other ipê species adjust their cycles to the pace of the season. They bloom in winter, when they lose their leaves, and bear fruit between August and September. Their fruits crack open, and the winds spread light seeds that, with the arrival of the first rains of spring, find free soil to germinate.

There is no renewal without seeds. They ensure the existence of species, sustain forest regeneration, and contribute to the balance of ecosystems. Within the forests, they quietly play a vital part in the beginning of new life each day.

Seeds are the basis of natural regeneration. They store valuable genetic information for species adaptation, sustain food chains, and ensure the continuity of vegetation.

Amid climate change, seeds are crucially important. Their DNA carries genetic diversity that increases the chances of resistance to extreme events such as droughts, intense heat, and torrential rains. They hold hope and resilience for an uncertain future.

By restoring the forest, seeds also rebalance the air. Every new species that grows captures carbon, protects the soil, and provides shelter for biodiversity. Every seedling planted is a shifting landscape, and a step toward more resilient and vibrant forests.

Seed conservation carries a precious legacy for future generations. Amid environmental uncertainty and rapid biodiversity loss, seeds hold the key to genetic resources, making them the wisest strategy for forest security and resilience.

Over 500,000 seeds are conserved in the Inhotim seed bank. Native seeds, stored at low temperatures, remain viable for years, ready to germinate when the forest needs to recover. The matrices are tested, cared for, and documented in this living vault.

In a world of rapid change, seed banks are true guardians of biodiversity. They preserve species outside their natural habitat, protecting their potential to germinate. This way, they are always prepared to restore an environment threatened by changes.

From the soil to storage, the seeds carry the memory of forests and the potential to regenerate entire ecosystems. When they germinate, they come to life, and remind us that conservation means sowing the future.