Dirt tracks crisscross the expansive grazing lands of South Australia's Eyre Peninsula, resembling arteries in the landscape. These paths have been created by advanced machinery that plants native drooping sheoak seeds in the rocky terrain. Conservationists are actively working to restore the region's vital sheoak woodlands, which have significantly diminished due to the species' short lifespan. The decline has been further worsened by livestock and pests consuming the seeds, hindering natural regeneration.

"We're not seeing any mature trees left in the landscape," said Simon Bey, a program lead at the non-profit organization Greening Australia. "So now we're having to restore it by hand."

However, the supply of sheoak seeds is dwindling, attributed to the loss of native woodlands and the adverse effects of climate change on seed quality. Bey noted, "There's no doubt when we pick seed now, we're not getting what we used to."

Scientists and conservationists are raising alarms about a native seed shortage, warning it could hinder Australia's commitment to protect and conserve 30 percent of its land by 2030, in line with international targets. This goal encompasses approximately 15.6 million hectares across various landscapes. Currently, only 12 percent of Australia's 25,000 native plants are available for purchase as seeds, according to Rachael Gallagher, an ecologist at Western Sydney University.

Gallagher explained that decades of deforestation for agriculture, mining, and housing have left the country dependent on the remaining native vegetation to produce seeds for restoration efforts. "It's a little like robbing Peter to pay Paul," she stated. "We've pledged to do something and we don't have the resources to do it right. We don't have good quality supply chains that will ensure the vegetation we restore resembles what was taken."

The seed shortage could also jeopardize government initiatives aimed at incentivizing landholders to restore the environment, including the Nature Repair Market. Environment Minister Murray Watt announced the market's first project in August, which involves planting native trees across 438 hectares on the mid-north coast of New South Wales. "Projects like these enable landholders to farm on productive areas of their land while revegetating cleared, less productive areas," Senator Watt said. "This is important because replanting restores ecosystems and enhances long-term sustainability and resilience."

Despite these efforts, Gallagher cautioned that without sufficient native seeds, some restoration projects may lack environmental integrity. "You're not restoring, you're just remaking vegetation," she said. "You're grabbing what you can and chucking it in the ground."

Her concerns were highlighted in a recent publication in the scientific journal Nature Ecology and Evolution. The environment department stated that recent discussions on achieving restoration targets have included a focus on strengthening the native seed and hatchery industries.

"Beyond seed supply, restoration faces a broad range of challenges that will require coordinated efforts," the statement read. "Several actions are already underway to address these, including the Nature Repair Market, which is enabling investment in high-integrity biodiversity outcomes."

Nature Repair Market projects must adhere to specific rules, including using plants native to the local area. Gallagher urged the government to evaluate the seed supply chain for sustainability, allocate land for seed production, and create incentives for organizations to enter the industry. "And stop knocking down native vegetation like it's replaceable - it's not," she emphasized. "It should be left alone as much as possible."