Genetic differentiation and regional adaptation among seed origins used for grassland restoration: lessons from a multispecies transplant experiment

While phenology data (the timing of recurring biological events) has been used to explain and predict patterns related to global change, and to address applied environmental issues, it has not been clearly identified as pertinent for restoration. This opinion article thus aims to raise awareness of the potential of phenology to enhance the quality of restoration projects and ecological restoration theory. We based our analysis on a systematic literature survey carried out in February 2014, searching the words “phenology” or “phenological” in books dealing with restoration, the term “phenolog*” in the journal Restoration Ecology, and the terms “restoration” and “phenolog*” in the database Web of Science until February 2014. We finally selected 149 studies relevant to our goals, and first classified them according to the context in which phenology was addressed. We then analyzed them within the framework of the five key steps of restoration projects: (1) the reference ecosystem; (2) biotic resources; (3) restoration methods; (4) monitoring; and (5) adaptive management. The literature survey showed that phenological information improved decision‐making in the few restoration projects in which it was incorporated. We thus advocate taking phenological data into account at all stages of restoration when appropriate: from the acquisition of baseline data on the reference ecosystem to treatment design, and from restoration action planning and timing to monitoring. Phenological data should at minimum be collected for sown, keystone, dominant, and/or rare species to improve restoration quality. Phenology studies and monitoring should be promoted in future restoration guidelines.

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“…Local biotic resources are best for carrying out restoration (Bucharova et al ) and can be obtained by gathering local seeds (e.g. Kiehl et al ).…”

Section: How Can Phenology Improve Baseline Data On Reference Ecosystmentioning

confidence: 99%

Plant phenological research enhances ecological restoration

Buisson

Alvarado

Stradic

et al. 2016

Restoration Ecology

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“…Across species, the overall phenotypic divergence of biomass production among provenances expressed as P ST (see Bucharova et al . ) is significantly correlated with overall genetic differentiation ( F ST , r 2 = 0·72, P = 0·016). This indicates that trait divergence and genetic differentiation are at least partly driven by the same processes.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 98%

Genetic differentiation within multiple common grassland plants supports seed transfer zones for ecological restoration

Durka

Michalski

Berendzen

et al. 2016

Journal of Applied Ecology

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101

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Summary1. Ecological restoration of grasslands is increasingly based on regional seeds derived from predefined seed transfer zones. However, the degree and spatial pattern of genetic differentiation among provenances of different seed transfer zones is largely unknown. 2. We assessed the genetic differentiation among eight out of 22 German seed transfer zones for seven common grassland species (Arrhenatherum elatius, Centaurea jacea, Daucus carota, Galium album, Hypochaeris radicata, Knautia arvensis and Lychnis flos-cuculi) using AFLP markers. We analysed genetic population structure with AMOVA and Bayesian cluster analysis and tested for isolation by distance and isolation by environment. 3. In all of the investigated species, almost all pairs of provenances were genetically differentiated. Bayesian cluster analysis revealed species-specific numbers and spatial patterns of gene pools, with between two (Arrhenatherum) and eight clusters (Lychnis). Most investigated seed transfer zones represented a unique gene pool in the majority of the species. 4. We found isolation by distance in four species, isolation by environment, driven by climatic seasonality, in three species, and a lack of both in three species. Thus, the observed genetic differentiation appears to be caused by both neutral and adaptive processes. 5. Synthesis and applications. Our study shows that grassland plants are indeed strongly genetically differentiated across Germany supporting the strategy of seed transfer zones for ecological restoration. Although the predefined seed transfer zones are unlikely to match the exact genetic structure of many species, they serve their purpose by capturing a substantial amount of intraspecific genetic variation across species.

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“…; but see Bucharova et al . ), adaptationist shorthand for determining the optimal type of genetic diversity has significant shortcomings. In order to choose appropriate sources, we need to understand the traits that are important for successful restoration.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Evolution of plant materials for ecological restoration: insights from the applied and basic literature

Espeland

Emery

Mercer

et al. 2016

Journal of Applied Ecology

145

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Summary Restoration is normally conducted with the goal of creating plant populations that establish, survive, successfully reproduce, contribute to ecosystem function and persist in the long term. Restoration often relies on revegetation that, on large scales, requires agronomic increase of native plant materials. During this propagation process, restoration populations are subject to genetic sampling as well as natural and artificial selection that could result in adaptation contrasting sharply with that of native populations. Here we draw on insights from the evolutionary and agricultural literature to illustrate how changes in the amount and type of genetic variation in ex situ repositories (source collections and production farms) could affect plant performance in restoration. The consequences of intentional and/or inadvertent evolutionary modification of restoration materials are discussed with respect to population viability and ecosystem function. Synthesis and applications. We conclude that sampling effects and intentional and unintentional selection during collection, propagation and restoration planting have the potential to diminish restored populations. We describe testing for evolutionary change in plant materials using neutral molecular markers and/or field observations. Six practices, multiple collections through time, multiple collections through space, large effective population size, provenance tracking, promoting gene flow and reducing selection comprise ‘evolutionarily enlightened management’ that decreases the potential for unintentional evolution and maladaptation.

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Genetic differentiation and regional adaptation among seed origins used for grassland restoration: lessons from a multispecies transplant experiment

Cited by 109 publications

References 62 publications

Plant phenological research enhances ecological restoration

Plant phenological research enhances ecological restoration

Genetic differentiation within multiple common grassland plants supports seed transfer zones for ecological restoration

Evolution of plant materials for ecological restoration: insights from the applied and basic literature

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