Mixing Plants from Different Origins to Restore a Declining Population: Ecological Outcomes and Local Perceptions 10 Years Later

Abstract

Populations of the Large-flowered Sandwort (Arenaria grandiflora L.) in the Fontainebleau forest (France) have declined rapidly during the last century. Despite the initiation of a protection program in 1991, less than twenty individuals remained by the late 1990s. The low fitness of these last plants, which is likely associated with genetic disorders and inbreeding depression, highlighted the need for the introduction of non-local genetic material to increase genetic diversity and thus restore Fontainebleau populations. Consequently, A. grandiflora was introduced at three distant sites in the Fontainebleau forest in 1999. Each of these populations was composed of an identical mix of individuals of both local and non-local origin that were obtained through in vitro multiplication. After establishment, the population status (number of individuals, diameter of the plants, and number of flowers) of the introduced populations was monitored. At present, two populations (one of which is much larger than the other) persist, while the third one became extinct in 2004. Analyses of the ecological parameters of the introduction sites indicated that differences in soil pH and moisture might have contributed to the differences in population dynamics. This introduction plan and its outcome attracted interest of local community, with those who supported the plan and regarded its 10-year result as a biological success (i.e., persistent populations were created), but also those who expressed reservations or disapproval of the plan and its outcome. To understand this controversy, a sociological study involving 27 semi-structured interviews was carried out. From these interviews emerged three areas of controversy: alteration of the identity of the plant, alteration of the identity of its territory, and the biological and ethical consequences of the techniques used for the experimental conservation.

The eco‐evolutionary risks of not changing seed provenancing practices in changing environments

“…seed availability; Broadhurst et al., 2016) and socio‐cultural (e.g. significance of local genetic identity of plants; Maurice et al., 2013; Figure 1). However, these factors need to be weighed against the eco‐evolutionary risks associated with not changing provenancing strategy in changing environments.…”

Genetic consequences of long-term isolation for the last French population of Eryngium viviparum (Apiaceae)

“…However, introduction of new genotypes in an endangered population always remains problematic for stakeholders concerned with the species conservation, arguing that it will alter the genetic identity of the local population (Maurice et al, 2013). An alternative solution is to reestablish connectivity by restoring populations, as planned within the framework of the NAP (Magnanon et al, 2013).…”