Pros & Cons of Local Genetype Seed

Ecological restoration is generally thought to be more successful using local genotype seed collected near the restoration site. But is this true?

Local seed is generally thought to produce better restoration results because its better adapted to original conditions. But in highly degraded environments, is local seed also more likely to be less adapted to current conditions? For example, is the local genotype merely an ecotype adapted only to its present location? Has it been genetically weaken by in-breeding within too small a population?

In a recently published review of these questions, Dr. Linda Broadhurst and her Australian colleagues find that "the emphasis on local seed sourcing will, in many cases, lead to poor restoration outcomes, particularly at broad geographic scales." They suggest that seed sourcing should concentrate less on local seed and more on high quality and diverse seed to maximize the adaptive potential of restorations to current and future environments.

In effect, they're saying that for large scale restorations to be successful, the view must be to the future (which we can help to create) and not to the past (which is simply gone). The full text of this very interesting review can be found here.