What does a seed need when entering a seed bank?
进入种子银行，要带上什么？
把种子放进冷库，就算替未来保存好一种植物了吗？
Does putting seeds into a freezer mean a plant species has been preserved for the future?
在英国邱园的千年种子库，一份种子的旅程从野外记录就开始了。
At Kew’s Millennium Seed Bank in Britain, a seed collection’s journey begins with records made in the field.
采集地点、当地环境和时间，都要跟着种子留下来。
The collection location, local habitat, and timing all need to stay linked to the seeds.
研究者还采集植物标本，用来确认它究竟属于哪个物种。
Researchers also collect a plant specimen to confirm the species’ identity.
种子到达后会获得独立编号，让种子、标本和野外资料能够互相对应。
On arrival, the collection receives a unique reference number linking the seeds, specimen, and field data.
这样，以后取出一瓶种子时，知道的就不只是“这里有一些小颗粒”。
Later, a jar can tell researchers more than simply “there are small grains here.”
接下来是保存材料本身：先初步干燥，再用筛子等工具清理杂物，之后继续干燥。
Preparing the material involves initial drying, cleaning away debris with sieves and other tools, and further drying.
工作人员还会抽取少量种子检查质量，例如用X光看看里面是否空着。
Staff also examine a small sample for quality, for example using X-rays to check for empty seeds.
准备好的种子被密封，存放在零下二十摄氏度的库房里。
Prepared seeds are sealed and stored in chambers at minus twenty degrees Celsius.
可是，保存工作的终点不是关上冷库门。
Closing the freezer door is not the end of the work.
工作人员会定期取样做发芽测试，确认种子是否仍然能长出新的幼苗。
Staff regularly test samples for germination to check whether the seeds can still produce seedlings.
并不是所有种子都能接受同样的干燥和冷冻处理，有些物种需要别的保存办法。
Not all seeds tolerate the same drying and freezing; some species need other preservation methods.
种子库也不能代替保护野外的植物和生境。
A seed bank also cannot replace protecting plants and their habitats in the wild.
它保存的不是一个永远不变的收藏品，而是一份有来历、还要不断检查生命力的材料。
What it preserves is not an unchanging collectible, but material with a documented origin whose viability must keep being checked.
