Bart R. JohnsonAssociate Professor | Department of Landscape Architecture | University of Oregon e-mail: bartj@uoregon.edu


Home Current Research and Scholarship
Oak Savanna Landscape Planning and Restoration Upland Prairie Fire Ecology And Restoration Wetland Prairie Restoration Plant Introduction Genetics Oak Savanna Aesthetics Ecology and Restoration of Rock Outcrop Plant Communities
Past Research and Scholarship
Urban Ecology Education Salmon-Friendly Urban Riverfront Design Urban Riverfront Design Ecology and Design Education Ecology and Participation in Landscape-based Planning Little Applegate Watershed Design The Ecology and Restoration of a High Montane Rare Plant Community Biodiversity in the Klamath-Siskiyou Mountains
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Recent Publications  

Plant Introduction Genetics

In recent decades, the introduction of native plant species in ecological restoration projects has become an increasingly important and also controversial practice. Concerns range from the effectiveness of monitoring and evaluating project success to whether genetically appropriate stock was used. The latter issue relates both to long-term project success as well as to intentional or unintentional modifications to the genetic composition of local plant populations.

In conjunction with the Friends of Buford Park Stewardship Technical Advisory Committee, we have developed a set of protocols for screening potential plant introduction stock. Decisions about what native planting stock is appropriate for different projects, locations and ecological contexts revolve around a complex set of issues. It is unlikely that we will ever have sufficient knowledge to make decisions with the levels of confidence we desire. Rather, we must weigh a variety of uncertainties and risks of using a plant stock against the potential benefits. In particular, it can be challenging to weigh the potential effects of plant introduction on the genetic structure and diversity of extant populations (risks and potential benefits) against the costs of developing site-specific seed sources, and in some cases the values of using or not using native plants for revegetation and restoration, especially if the alternative is no action.

We will be continuing to develop these ideas for publication and welcome feedback on the following materials. Both are in draft form so please do not cite or disseminate without the author's permission. Please email comments to bartj@uoregon.edu

Johnson, B. R. and B. A. Roy. In preparation. Decision-making protocols for propagation and introduction of native planting stock. (download PDF)

Johnson, B. R. and B. A. Roy 2006, March. Guidelines for Propagule Source Selection: Ecology, Evolution and Pragmatics. Native Plant Genetics Workshop: Addressing Seed Transfer Issues in the Willamette Valley. Institute for Applied Ecology, Corvallis, OR. (download PDF)