To share some thoughts on scientific articles that interested us, posted on 19 Aug. 2008:
Ecosystem or species restoration must be taking care of many variables.
In a study published in Biological Conservation, Kettle et al. show that restoration programs
need to ensure that genetic diversity should be taken into account. Programs that restore species with lower
levels of genetic diversity run the risk of failure due to pest attack or other causes. Even worse, the
genetic homogeneity brought about by the project could render the population non viable leading eventually
to its extinction.
The authors studied Araucaria nemorosa, a conifer from New Caledonia and conclude:
“…, we do not recommend collecting cones directly from A. nemorosa as an efficient means of establishing genetically diverse stock for restoration programmes. Collecting seed from the forest floor is likely to be more effective, but the planting stock may contain a high proportion of inbred individuals. Collecting established wild seedlings already subjected to natural selection is suggested as an alternative method of maximising the diversity captured, whilst minimising sampling effort and proportion of inbred individuals.”
Therefore, care must be taken to ensure that the most robust development stage is used for propagation. This in turn affects the genetic diversity of the restored population and influences the success of the restoration project.
For further information, please refer to Kettle C. J. et al. 2008. Cryptic genetic bottlenecks during restoration of an endangered tropical conifer. Biological Conservation 141: 1953-1963.