Plants for Ecological Restoration: A Foundation and a Philosophy for the Future

Abstract

Today’s conservation concerns range from rare plant preservation to landscapes threatened by alien annuals. Effective action follows effective decision-making based on appropriately framed questions. We present the restoration gene pool (RGP) concept as a framework for choosing plant materials based on the priorities of the species, plant communities, systems, and landscapes threatened. We couch our discussion in an acknowledgment of 65 y of national plant materials progress that has evolved with society’s priorities and has maintained a high degree of cooperation among participating entities. The plant materials program and its cooperators have contributed the bulk of the material and technology now used in ecosystem restoration and are our foundation for meeting conservation challenges of the future. Using a discussion of the genetics of native plant materials and 2 conservation challenges, we illustrate how the RGP concept can be used to select plant materials based on their ability to meet priority concerns.