What is a seed bank?

A seed bank refers to a facility or location where seeds of native and compatible species are stored for conservation purposes. This ensures the preservation of genetic diversity and allows for the reestablishment of plant populations that may be threatened or depleted in their natural habitats. By maintaining a collection of these seeds, a seed bank acts as a safeguard against extinction, enabling restoration projects and promoting biodiversity.

In this context, the emphasis on "native, compatible species" highlights the importance of maintaining local flora that is adapted to the specific environmental conditions of the area. Such collections are crucial for ecological restoration efforts, particularly in utility sectors where habitat disruption may occur due to maintenance or construction activities.

The other options fail to capture the essence of what a seed bank is. Storage for electrical transformers, depleted batteries, or hardware for utility maintenance does not relate to the biological and ecological purpose of a seed bank, which is centered around plant conservation and biodiversity.