The Intihuasi seed bank stores billions of seeds from 33,000 species at -20°C in the Atacama Desert, preserving endemic species as agricultural conditions shift with a changing climate.
The Intihuasi seed bank operates in Vicuña, a dusty town in northern Chile, in the world’s driest desert. The seed bank houses the most comprehensive collection of Chilean flora preserved under the strictest conditions. The facility dug into the hillside stores billions of seeds from native plants, including species once declared extinct.
The most important thing for the seed bank is its strategic location away from large populations. The facility saves seeds from catastrophes, including wars and natural disasters. That’s why the center sits in a remote place far from big cities.
The thick concrete walls are earthquake-proof. Seeds are stored in a walk-in freezer kept at -20°C and 15% relative humidity. The facility uses aluminum pouches rather than glass vials in case of seismic activity. These precautions protect against Chile’s frequent earthquakes.
The facility, built in 1990, originally aimed to collect and research species that could improve the country’s agriculture. Since 2001, its mission changed to focus on the conservation of Chilean native flora. With support from the Royal Botanic Gardens of Kew, United Kingdom, it initiated a program to collect and preserve seeds from Chilean plant species, prioritizing endemic and threatened species from arid and semi-arid areas.
Chile is home to 4,655 plant species. Of these, 46% are endemic to Chile. This high level of endemism makes preservation particularly critical. Many species exist nowhere else on Earth.
The work extends beyond simple storage. Two on-site greenhouses enable the seed bank team to establish optimal conditions for germinating and propagating certain plants. Fieldwork expeditions locate and harvest rare seeds across Chile’s huge variety of climates and geographies.
In the Antofagasta region, a highly endangered flower, Diplostephium paposanum, was collected and returned to the seed bank. It has been reproduced, and a pilot scheme has been designed to reintroduce it into the wild. This demonstrates how the Intihuasi seed bank supports active restoration efforts.
The Intihuasi seed bank is not open for public requests. Some seeds are shared with researchers in exceptional circumstances. This controlled access ensures the collection remains intact for future needs while supporting scientific research.
Some specimens from the Intihuasi seed bank have been included in a global network of seed banks. Duplicates of its bean species are now held in a Colombian facility for safekeeping. A handful of maize species are kept in Svalbard, a Norwegian archipelago in the Arctic Circle, where the global center for seed preservation was built deep underground.
Chile is a net exporter of food. Fresh fruit, cereal crops, wine, and other produce form an important part of the country’s economy. The nation benefits from a Mediterranean-type climate in its central valleys. This agricultural success faces growing threats from climate change.
The Intihuasi seed bank is considered the Noah’s Ark for Chilean agriculture. Global agriculture has survived by adapting to environmental changes. Chile is poised to be one of the countries most affected by climate change. Within a few decades, conditions in Chile will be very different. The seed bank provides insurance against these changes. With what the facility stores, the country will be able to adapt to new demands. The network continues to expand the amount of material it preserves.
Temperature changes, shifting precipitation patterns, and extreme weather events all threaten existing agricultural systems. Seeds preserved now may contain genetic traits that prove crucial for future crop varieties. Some traditional crops may fail under new conditions, while stored genetic material offers alternatives.
Climate projections suggest Chile’s Mediterranean climate zones will shift southward. Areas currently suitable for certain crops may become too hot or dry. The genetic diversity stored in seed banks enables breeding programs to develop more resilient varieties. These adapted crops can maintain food security as conditions change.
The Intihuasi seed bank represents long-term thinking about agricultural sustainability. Seeds stored under proper conditions remain viable for decades or centuries. This temporal insurance protects against catastrophic losses that might otherwise drive species to extinction.
Vicuña’s location in the Atacama Desert provides natural advantages. The extreme aridity reduces pest pressures and disease risks. The remote setting minimizes contamination from agricultural chemicals or genetically modified crops.
The Intihuasi facility stands as a testament to Chile’s commitment to preserving its botanical heritage. In an era of unprecedented environmental change, these frozen seeds represent hope for agricultural adaptation. The work continues to expand collections and improve preservation methods to safeguard Chile’s food security and biodiversity for generations to come.
