According to China's Germplasm Bank of Wild Species, a comprehensive national database for the collection and protection of wildlife germplasm resources, Chinese scientists have recently concluded a seed-collecting mission on Mount Qomolangma.

At a height of about 6,200 meters, the crew successfully gathered seeds of various plants, including Crucihimalaya Himalaica and Saussurea Gnaphalodes, setting a new record for plant seed collection at the highest altitude in China.

The collecting crew climbed Mount Qomolangma twice this year, in August and September, spending more than 20 days successively, reaching the highest altitude of 6,605 meters to perform a plant diversity survey and collection.

Importance of seed collection

Seeds collected from healthy, well-formed trees increase the likelihood that the new stock will have an excellent shape, survive, and be more resistant to stressful conditions caused by marginal areas, frequent pruning, or severe temperatures.

The second advantage of seed collecting is the economic return; the investment in selection will be more than compensated for by higher product yields over shorter cycles. Maximum production results in more building materials, increased fruit production and quality, faster fuelwood growth, and faster and more prolific regrowth following lopping.

Another indirect benefit of seed collection is the ability to influence climate change. When tree seeds are collected and transplanted appropriately, the worldwide proportion of trees increases, thus filtering carbon out of the air and eventually cooling the planet.