Populations restored using regional seed are genetically diverse and similar to natural populations in the region

Abstract

Ecological restoration and plant re‐introductions aim to create plant populations that are genetically similar to natural populations to preserve the regional gene pool, yet genetically diverse to allow adaptation to a changing environment. For this purpose, seeds for restoration are increasingly sourced from multiple populations in the target region. However, it has only rarely been tested whether using regional seed indeed leads to genetically diverse restored populations which are genetically similar to natural populations. We used single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) markers to investigate genetic diversity within and differentiation among populations of Centaurea jacea and Betonica officinalis on restored and natural meadows in the White Carpathians, Czech Republic. The restoration took place 20 years ago using regional seeds propagated from a mix of multiple regional source populations. We included original regional seeds in our analysis to compare the restored populations with their origin (only in C. jacea). Additionally, we analysed conventional seeds without certified origin because these would have constituted a common alternative for restoration seeding in the absence of regional seeds. The differentiation between restored and natural populations (mean pairwise FST = 0.018 in Centaurea and 0.021 in Betonica) was similar to the differentiation among natural populations (FST = 0.023 and 0.021), and the restored populations were slightly more genetically diverse than the natural populations. In addition, restored populations were relatively similar to their origin, the regional seeds (FST = 0.015). In contrast, conventional seeds were strongly differentiated from all regional populations (FST = 0.100 and 0.059, in Centaurea and Betonica respectively) and harboured substantially lower genetic diversity. We also found signs of gene flow via pollen or seed dispersal from natural to restored populations but not vice versa. Policy implications. Regionally sourced seeds can produce genetically diverse populations at natural levels of genetic differentiation.

Rapid evolution of flower phenology and clonality in restored populations of multiple grassland species

“…The species flowers only after the restored meadows are mown, and there is thus no opportunity for selection. It also grows in a wide range of conditions (Leuschner & Ellenberg, 2018), and is one of the few species that can thrive in grassland restorations in unfavorable postarable soils (Klein-Raufhake et al, 2022.). Thus, it is possible that Centaurea has such a wide ecological niche that the environment at restored meadows is not challenging.…”

“…Environmental differences between natural and restored sites might be mirrored by intraspecific differences in plant phenotypes. For example, Klein-Raufhake et al (2022) have shown that plants from grasslands restored 20 years ago are smaller and have different leaf chemical composition in comparison to the same species growing in natural populations, which correlates with the differences in soil chemistry due to post-agricultural legacy in restored sites. This pattern may be a simple plastic reaction to environmental conditions (Villellas et al, 2021).…”

Sod translocation to restore habitats of the myrmecophilous butterfly Phengaris (Maculinea) teleius on former agricultural fields

“…The top 40 cm of phosphate‐enriched soil on a total of 250 ha was excavated. The development of the target vegetation was facilitated by liming (1000 kg/ha) and transfer of freshly cut clippings on the excavated areas from the nearby nature reserve (Donath et al, 2007 ; Höfner et al, 2021 ; Hölzel & Otte, 2003 ; Matus et al, 2003 ; Török et al, 2011 ). Starting 1 year later, all restored meadows were mown yearly in summer.…”

“…For certain groups of organisms, translocation offers a possibility for successful colonization into the restored new habitats. For example, plant species have been moved to newly established patches of habitat by transportation of seeds or young plants (Donath et al, 2007 ; Goreth et al, 2021 ; Török et al, 2021 ; Vitt et al, 2016 ; Wagner et al, 2021 ), preferably from sites with a common genetic background (Höfner et al, 2021 ). Moreover, birds, mammals, amphibians, and some butterflies are also translocated as soon as the new patches have developed into suitable habitats (Ferrer et al, 2017 ; Germano & Bishop, 2009 ; Wynhoff, 1998 ).…”

Grassland restoration on former arable land: Fine‐scale grass accumulation and damaged soil conditions limit species establishment

“…Irrespective of their high natural value, grasslands have been plowed and converted to cropland on a large scale in the past. The demand for arable land has recently decreased, but the restoration of species‐rich grassland communities on former arable land is problematic worldwide because it does not reach the state of the reference ecosystems (Kiehl et al, 2010; Brudvig, 2011; Török et al, 2011; Höfner et al, 2022).…”