How far is it to your local? A survey on local provenance use in New South Wales

Summary The decision as to where to source seed is one of the most critical in restora-tion projects. Locally collected seed is often recommended, or even contractually required,because it is assumed to be adapted to local conditions and therefore result in superior sur-vival and growth rates, conferring a greater probability of restoration success. The perceivedadvantages, which include retaining the genetic ‘integrity’ of the site, are centred around theavoidance of outbreeding depression and hybridization. These traditional reasons for usinglocally collected seed need to be reconsidered in the light of rapidly changing climatic andother environmental conditions; plants that are locally adapted now may not be locallyadapted in future. Understanding the current usage of local provenance is pivotal to discus-sions on its appropriateness under climate change. We present the results of a survey of res-toration practitioners in New South Wales on attitudes and practices in relation to the use oflocal provenance. We found that whilst the majority of practitioners preferentially use localprovenance seeds, the actual definition of local provenance varied amongst respondents.Whilst 80% of participants believe that projections of future climate change are relevant torestoration projects, there is an apparent reluctance to actively manage for this eventuality.However, many respondents are in favour of a review of seed-sourcing policy⁄guidelines toallow for the inclusion of non-local provenance material. Implications of the survey for poten-tial changes to guidelines to better prepare for anticipated changing conditions arediscussed.Key words: climate change, local adaptation, local provenance, revegetation, seed source.