Choosing seed sources for management projects.

Why seed sourcing decisions matter

Seed sourcing is one of the most consequential decisions in ecological restoration. The genetic composition of planted material can influence establishment, persistence, and the ability of restored populations to respond to future conditions.

Nearby seed is not always the best seed, and broad seed zones can miss important adaptive variation. Genetic data provides a more direct way to evaluate source options.

Decisions this helps answer

• Which populations should be used as seed sources?
• How far can seed be moved without increasing maladaptation risk?
• Should sources be mixed, kept separate, or weighted toward future climate conditions?
• Which sourcing strategy best balances local adaptation and genetic diversity?

Strategies we evaluate

• Local or matched single-source sourcing
• Multi-source and composite provenancing
• Climate-adjusted provenancing aligned with projected conditions
• Range-wide genetic diversity assessments
• Scenario comparisons for procurement and implementation

Products we develop

• Seed sourcing maps identifying suitable source populations
• Climate-adjusted seed transfer guidance
• Quantitative summaries of genetic diversity and risk
• Scenario-based comparisons of sourcing strategies
• Technical reports designed for restoration implementation

How this is different

Unlike approaches based only on geographic distance or climate matching, this work uses genome-wide data to evaluate genetic variation and evidence of adaptation. The goal is not simply to describe genetic patterns; it is to turn those patterns into seed sourcing decisions.