A genetic assessment of seed production areas (SPAs) for restoration

Managing Genetic Diversity and Representation in Banksia marginata (Proteaceae) Seed Production Areas Used for Conservation and Restoration

Landscape degradation is a major threat to global biodiversity that is being further exacerbated by climate change. Halting or reversing biodiversity decline using seed-based restoration requires tons of seed, most of which is sourced from wild populations. However, in regions where restoration is most urgent, wild seed sources are often fragmented, declining and producing seed with low genetic diversity. Seed production areas (SPAs) can help to reduce the burden of collecting native seed from remnant vegetation, improve genetic diversity in managed seed crops and contribute to species conservation. Banksia marginata (Proteaceae) is a key restoration species in south-eastern Australia but is highly fragmented and declining across much of its range. We evaluated genetic diversity, population genetic structure and relatedness in two B. marginata SPAs and the wild populations from which the SPA germplasm was sourced. We found high levels of relatedness within most remnants and that the population genetic structure was best described by three groups of trees. We suggest that SPAs are likely to be important to meet future native seed demand but that best practice protocols are required to assist land managers design and manage these resources including genetic analyses to guide the selection of germplasm.

How Diverse is Tree Planting in the Central Plateau of Burkina Faso? Comparing Small-Scale Restoration with Other Planting Initiatives

In the Sahelian region, different approaches are being used to halt environmental degradation and restore tree cover, with varying degrees of success. Initiatives vary according to projects’ objectives, type of land to restore, and technical practices used (natural regeneration, farmer-managed assisted regeneration, enrichment planting, etc.). This study investigates tree planting choices and selection of tree seed sources in some villages of the Central region of Burkina Faso. The study targeted 96 farmers and compared planting practices adopted by farmers involved in small-scale forest restoration using fences, with those not involved in this initiative. The objective was to understand what portfolio of tree species were planted, what factors influenced tree species selection, what tree seed sources were used, what collection practices were generally adopted, and whether there were significant differences between types of farmers. The results showed that the use of fencing to promote forest restoration support the planting of a more diverse portfolio of tree species than other small scale efforts and includes a greater representation of indigenous trees. Fenced plots have therefore a conservation value in landscapes where the diversity of tree species is progressively declining. In addition to the use of fences, some other key factors affect tree planting, mainly land tenure, availability of diverse tree seed sources, and availability of land. Farmers tend to collect directly most of the planting material they need, but in the majority of cases they do not follow recommended best practices. In light of the ambitious forest restoration targets of Burkina Faso and the need to provide diverse options to rural communities to enhance their resilience vis-à-vis increasing environmental challenges, strengthening the capacity of farmers in tree planting and establishing a robust tree seed systems are crucial targets.

Population history provides foundational knowledge for utilizing and developing native plant restoration materials

A species' population structure and history are critical pieces of information that can help guide the use of available native plant materials in restoration treatments and decide what new native plant materials should be developed to meet future restoration needs. In the western United States, Pseudoroegneria spicata (bluebunch wheatgrass; Poaceae) is an important component of grassland and shrubland plant communities and commonly used for restoration due to its drought resistance and competitiveness with exotic weeds. We used next-generation sequencing data to investigate the processes that shaped P. spicata's geographic pattern of genetic variation across the Intermountain West. Pseudoroegneria spicata's genetic diversity is partitioned into populations that likely differentiated since the Last Glacial Maximum. Adjacent populations display varying magnitudes of historical gene flow, with migration rates ranging from multiple migrants per generation to multiple generations per migrant. When considering the commercial germplasm sources available for restoration, genetic identities remain representative of the wildland localities from which germplasm sources were originally developed, and they maintain high levels of heterozygosity and nucleotide diversity. However, the commercial germplasm sources represent a small fraction of the overall genetic diversity of P. spicata in the Intermountain West. Given the low migration rates and long divergence times between some pairs of P. spicata populations, using commercial germplasm sources could facilitate undesirable restoration outcomes when used in certain geographic areas, even if the environment in which the commercial materials thrive is similar to that of the restoration site. As such, population structure and history can be used to provide guidance on what geographic areas may need additional native plant materials so that restoration efforts support species and community resilience and improve outcomes.

Ex situ conservation of threatened plants in Brazil: a strategic plan to achieve Target 8 of the Global Strategy for Plant Conservation

Abstract With increasing rates of habitat destruction and species loss, ex situ conservation is gaining global momentum and reluctance in relying on ex situ conservation is rapidly giving way to a more optimistic, strategic view. Target 8 of the Global Strategy of Plant Conservation calls for at least 75 percent of threatened plant species in accessible ex situ collections, preferably in the country of origin, and 20 percent of them included in recovery and restoration programs. Here, we provide updated information on Brazil's progress towards Target 8 through a nationwide examination of how many threatened species were conserved in ex situ collections in Brazil. Our data comprised whole plants (living collections), seed (seed banks) and tissue cultures (in vitro). Of the 2,113 threatened species, at least 452 (21.4%) species were conserved in ex situ collections, an increase in 4% of living organisms and 96% of seeds when compared to a previous assessment. Since it is unlikely Brazil will achieve Target 8 by 2020, we also discuss public policies and strategies to help overcome key bottlenecks preventing its achievement and propose revised goals for the GSPC 2020-2030.