In January 2025, the EXPBIO project will launch a new webinar series spotlighting a critical tool for biodiversity restoration: regional seed mixes for flower strips. Bringing together experts from across Europe, this series will explore native seed production, genetic diversity, and applications to restore ecosystems in the North Sea Region.
Join us to discover how these strategies can help preserve biodiversity and ensure a more sustainable future.
The Regional Seed Mixes for Flower Strips webinar series explores how well-designed seed mixes can enhance biodiversity and support ecosystem restoration efforts in the North Sea Region. Organised by the EXPBIO project, this series brings together experts to share practical knowledge and research insights tailored to the unique ecological and climatic conditions of the area.
Webinar Details
The webinars will take place every other Thursday at 16:30 CET, starting on 16 January 2025. Each one-hour session will focus on specific aspects of seed mix development, including:
- Production techniques: Best practices for creating high-quality seed mixes.
- Genetic diversity: Ensuring resilience through varied and native seed stocks.
- Practical applications: Using seed mixes effectively to restore local ecosystems.
Speakers include representatives from leading research initiatives and four renowned seed producers based in Sweden, the Netherlands, and Germany. Together, they bring a wealth of expertise in seed cultivation, ecological restoration, and sustainable land management.
Meet the Speakers
Below is a brief introduction to the speakers and the organisations they represent.
Jojanneke Bijkerk is the owner of Cruydt-Hoeck, together with Jasper Helmantel. The webinar is about (the reasons for) their way of working, the goal and the aims of Cruydt-Hoeck, producing locally sourced and produced seeds and plants for the use in gardens, public space and the landscape of the Netherlands and Flanders. https://www.cruydthoeck.nl/biodiversiteit/bijdragen-aan-meer-biodiversiteit/onze-missie/. In order to achieve genetically high quality seeds and plants, for the purpose of restoring biodiversity, Cruydt-Hoeck works with organisations like E.N.S.P.A. https://native-seed.eu/ and Het Levend Archief https://hetlevendarchief.nl/missie/.
At Immerbunt, we see environmental protection as the defining task of our generation. Since our founding in 2021, we have launched nationwide sustainability projects that foster biodiversity, create thriving ecosystems, and drive meaningful change for a sustainable future. By connecting business, society, and agriculture, Immerbunt plays a pivotal role in building a greener tomorrow.
Saaten Zeller is Germany's largest producer of certified regional seeds. Together with 71 farmers from all over Germany, Saaten Zeller propagates a total of 142 wild plant species for our regional seed mixtures on 1,600 hectares of cultivation areas. Thanks to this network, Saaten Zeller is able to offer specialized seed mixtures for all regions of Germany, specific habitats and special applications.
Pratensis AB is a grower and supplier of wild native seeds and plants in Sweden, dedicated to reproducing over 100 species through collaboration with regional growers. Cloé Lucas will share insights into our commitment to sustainable seed collection and reproduction, highlighting the importance of genetic suitability in preserving Sweden’s native flora.
The conservation of intraspecific genetic diversity of grassland plants is one motivation for the establishment of seed transfer zones (STZ). Seeds for restoration are produced regionally in seed transfer zones (STZs) aiming at maintaining regional adaptations of native wild plants. Ideally, generalised STZs should be based on comprehensive data of intraspecific genetic and phenotypic diversity for a larger number of species. The project RegioDiv aims to fill this gap and generate empirical data on genetic variation of multiple grassland plant species across Germany. A total of 33 species were collected at an average density of ~1 sample/1000 km2 across the 22 existing STZs, and a total of 11,976 samples were genotyped with SNP markers. Almost all species showed multiple intraspecific genetic clusters distributed in spatially coherent ranges, but species specific spatial patterns. The dataset of the RegioDiv project allows the assessment of how well the current German STZ system reflects intraspecific differentiation patterns. We will propose changes to the number and delineation of zones.
Globally upscaling demands for native seeds for ecosystem restoration can be covered by agricultural seed propagation. The extent of the demand both in quantity and quality for these seeds for ecosystem restoration is enormous. Yet, agricultural practice can unintentionally select for specific traits and reduce adaptive variability, which could affect plant performance once sown back to the wild. In this talk I will give a brief introduction into the seed sourcing system of Germany, how seeds could change and what is done to prevent this as well as how we can detect that the change is minimal.
Why This Series Matters
This webinar series forms part of EXPBIO’s mission to develop native seed mixes tailored to regional requirements. By convening leading experts, the sessions offer valuable insights and practical tools to support biodiversity restoration across the North Sea Region. The series also fosters collaboration between researchers, practitioners, and policymakers, ensuring shared knowledge is applied effectively across a variety of landscapes.
Accessing the Webinars
The webinars are open to all and will be recorded for on-demand viewing on the EXPBIO website.