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Abstract
Studies show that changes in climate may exceed plant adaptation and migration. The mismatch in rates between climate change and plant adaptation and migration will pose significant challenges for practitioners that select, grow, and outplant native tree species. Native tree species and populations that are planted today must meet the climatic challenges that they will face during this century. Anticipated shifts in climate call for the revision of ethical, legal, political, and economical paradigms, as well as changes in the guidelines for growing and outplanting trees to maximize survival and curtail maladaptation. Growing trees that survive may be more important than growing perfectly shaped trees and may require selection of adapted genetic material and/or movement of plant populations (for example, assisted migration). We review and explore assisted migration as an adaptation strategy, present some working examples, and provide resources for consultation.
Parent Publication
Citation
Williams, Mary I.; Dumroese, R. Kasten. 2014. Planning the future's forests with assisted migration. In: Sample, V. Alaric; Bixler, R. Patrick, eds. Forest conservation and management in the Anthropocene: Conference proceedings. Proceedings. RMRS-P-71. Fort Collins, CO: US Department of Agriculture, Forest Service. Rocky Mountain Research Station. p. 133-144.
