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Samar Island is the third-largest landmass in the Philippines, with six hundred three (603) islands and a total area measured at 13,428.8 sq. km. (Philippines National Statistics Office, 2011).

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Flowering plants, or angiosperms, are plant species that produce flowers, fruits, and seeds.

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Endemic is defined by native species restricted to a certain area.

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A seed bank is a facility that specializes in keeping and preserving various plant seeds.

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Seed Germination can be described as the seed growing. This is because it receives the right amount of water and is place under the right weather conditions.

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Light Signaling in Plants
"Seed germination is considered one of the crucial stages in plant growth and development, and is under the tight regulation of phy-mediated light signaling as well as two hormones, abscisic acid (ABA) and gibberellic acid (GA), that function against each other. Under unfavorable conditions, ABA maintains dormancy, while GA promotes seed germination in response to more favorable environmental conditions. Light-dependent activation of phys promotes biosynthesis of GA and represses ABA biosynthesis (Paik and Huq, 2019). PIF1 and PIF8, two of the downstream signaling components of phys, are repressors of seed germination under dark conditions. PIF1 represses the seed germination either directly or indirectly through inhibition of GA signaling pathway. However, in response to light illumination, phys translocates to the nucleus and degrade PIF1 and PIF8, relieving the repression, which results in seed germination (Oh et al., 2020; Legris et al., 2019). The light-induced promotion of seed germination ensures that seeds are germinated under favorable environmental conditions for increased survival."
Kathare, P. K., & Huq, E. (2020). Light signaling in plants. Reference Module in Life Sciences. doi:10.1016/b978-0-12-819460-7.00085-2

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Importance of small RNA in plant seed germination
"Seed germination is a transit process when an active plant with photosynthesis grows from a quiescent embryo, generated in the fertilized ovule. The process of seed germination includes the following five changes or steps: imbibition, respiration, effect of light on seed germination, mobilization of reserves during seed germination, and role of growth regulators and development of the embryo axis into a seedling. All five of these stages result from a interplay of several metabolic and cellular events, coordinated by a complex regulatory network that includes seed dormancy, an intrinsic ability to temporarily block radicle elongation to optimize the timing of germination. The primary plant hormones including abscisic acid (ABA) and gibberellin (GA) antagonistically regulate seed dormancy and germination [8–10]. ABA is synthesized during seed maturation and decreased before the onset of germination; it plays key roles in inhibiting germination and establishing and maintaining seed dormancy [11]. In contrast to ABA, GA significantly increases to promote germination by causing the secretion of hydrolytic enzymes that weaken the structure of the seed testa [12, 13]."
Yao, Y., Xin, M., Ni, Z., & Sun, Q. (2020). Importance of small rna in plant seed germination. Plant Small RNA, 117-123. doi:10.1016/b978-0-12-817112-7.00006-7

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Seed Dormancy is defined as state wherein the seed does not grow due to some abiotic factors in the environment.

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Seedling Establishment is the proper way of planting your seeds. This is the critical first step for plants to grow.

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GERMINATION AND SEEDLING ESTABLISHMENT
"Seed germination and seedling establishment are critical phases in the plant growth cycle, since they influence and determine species survival in natural habitats and the onset and yields of agricultural crops. A dormant seed combines an embryonic plant and stored materials to be used during germination and seedling establishment until the onset of photosynthesis by the established seedling. ‘Germination’ is a general term describing the sequences of complex processes involved in initiating an array of metabolic activities that lead eventually to the renewal of growth of the dormant seed embryo and, ultimately, to seedling establishment. The various processes known to occur during these two phases take place in parallel or in serial sequences. Their times of initiation and of transition from one sequence to another are triggered by events endogenous to the seeds (seed-development processes of the parent plants) and depend greatly on the prevailing environmental conditions (aeration, temperature, available water and nutrients, soil mechanical impedance) and seed-development conditions."
Hadas, A. (2005). Germination and seedling establishment. Encyclopedia of Soils in the Environment, 130-137. doi:10.1016/b0-12-348530-4/00149-1

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Psychotria castroi Merr. & Quisumb. ex Sohmer & A.P.Davis

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Psychotria castroi Merr. & Quisumb. ex Sohmer & A.P.Davis

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Family: Rubiaceae
Conservation Status: Critically Endangered
Endemicity: Endemic to Samar

Psychotria castroi should be added to the seed bank because of its conservation status.  Critically endangered species have a high risk of extinction. Therefore by including Psychotria castroi to the seed bank, we can ensure that it would not be extinct. Furthermore, its endemicity to Samar means that the species will not be able to grow anywhere else.

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Drepananthus samarensis (R.J.Wang & R.M.K.Saunders) Surveswaran & R.M.K.Saunders

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Drepananthus samarensis (R.J.Wang & R.M.K.Saunders) Surveswaran & R.M.K.Saunders

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Family: Annonaceae
Conservation Status: Endangered
Endemicity: Endemic to Samar

Drepananthus samarensis is considered an endangered species. It has a risk of extinction. Furthermore, its endemicity to Samar means that the species will not be able to grow anywhere else. Through a seed bank, we will be able to ensure that this species will not go extinct.

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Family: Arecaceae
Conservation Status: Endangered
Endemicity: Endemic to Samar
Journal: https://doi.org/10.11646/phytotaxa.429.2.3

Pinanga gruezoi is a relatively new species found in the province of Samar. However, despite its discovery, it has already been declared as an endangered species due to its small numbers. Through a seed bank, we will be able to ensure that this new species will be able to populate further.

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Family: Combretaceae
Conservation Status: Vulnerable
Endemicity: Endemic to Samar

Terminalia darlingii is well known to the locals of Samar as Malaputat. It is used as wood for the interior of their houses. However due to its use, the Malaputat is now classified to be an endangered species. This means that this species will nearly be extinct if there are no efforts to preserve it. With that said, the Terminalia darlingii should be preserved due to its use, endemicity, and conservation status.

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Family: Dipterocarpaceae
Conservation Status: Endangered
Endemicity: Endemic to Samar

Hopea philippinensis is a small tree that is locally used as a source for "merawan." Merawan is a hard and heavy timber used for construction. Merawan is commonly found in several countries in Asia. However, Hopea philippinensis is one of the few species of merawan to be found in the Philippines. It should be preserved due to its use, endemicity, and conservation status.

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Family: Dipterocarpaceae
Conservation Status: Critically Endangered
Endemicity: Endemic to Samar

Shorea astylosa, locally known as yakal, is a well known flower in the Philippines. Its wood is typically used for construction; commonly the constriction of bridges and wharves. Shorea astylosa has been classified as a critically endangered species due to its exentsive. Therefore,  It should be preserved due to its use, endemicity, and conservation status.

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Family: Violaceae
Conservation Status:  Endangered
Endemicity: Endemic to Samar

Rinorea niccolifera is a new nickel-hyperaccumulating species.This species is classified as endangered. Furthermore, it should be preserved because the habitat is severely fragmented. Therefore,  It should be preserved due to its use, endemicity, and conservation status.

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Family: Myristicaceae
Conservation Status:  Vulnerable
Endemicity: Endemic to Samar

Due to its conservation status and endemicity of Horsfieldia ardisiifolia, it should be added to the seed bank. Including Horsfieldia ardisiifolia to the seed bank will help reduce the vulnerability of this species to endangerment. Furthermore, its endemicity to Samar means that the species will not be able to grow anywhere else so it will be beneficial to include this species into the seed bank.

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Family: Gesneriaceae
Conservation Status:  Vulnerable  Endemicity: Endemic to Samar

Due to its conservation status and endemicity, Agalmyla samarica should be added to the seed bank.  Including Agalmyla samarica to the seed bank will help reduce the vulnerability of this species to endangerment. Furthermore, its endemicity to Samar means that the species will not be able to grow anywhere else so it will be beneficial to include this species into the seed bank.

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Family: Elaeocarpaceae
Conservation Status:  Critically Endangered
Endemicity: Endemic to Samar

Elaeocarpus samari  must be added to the seed bank in order to save this species from extinction.  Due to its conservation status and endemicity, it’s absolutely critical to include Elaeocarpus samari  to prevent the extinction. This species must also be closely monitored to help determine further actions to protect the species.