Protecting plant genetic resources is an important mission of the Forest Service. Safeguards for maintaining local adaptation and genetic diversity in native conifer species, for example, have long been the foundation of reforestation practices and nursery operations. These same considerations are now being applied to the development and use of plant materials for other types of native species, including hardwood trees and shrubs, grasses, and forbs.

Plant materials that are not genetically suited to conditions of a planting site may cause the project to fail outright or not be sustainable over time. Poorly adapted plants may even negatively affect neighboring populations of the same species if they contribute pollen or seeds to them.

Ensuring genetic diversity is also important because it can strongly influence the long-term viability of plant populations, and their ability to adapt to changing climatic and environmental conditions. Plant materials that lack genetic diversity may be more susceptible to pathogens and other environmental stresses, and less competitive with exotic invasive species. Overall, the use of genetically inappropriate plant materials can have unanticipated and cascading negative effects throughout the ecosystem.

• Right Plant Materials
• Gene Conservation
• Monitoring & Research

Protecting genetic resources of all native plant species is an important mission of the Forest Service.

Planting and protecting native seedlings on an abandoned roadway.