Defining species‐specific seed sourcing strategies for restoration: an example of how to use genetic data to inform seed collections for multiple co‐occurring species

Generalized guidance such as “local is best” has prevailed regarding seed sourcing strategies for ecological restoration in the past. A shift is currently underway in this guidance, moving toward using pre‐adapted material in the face of human induced climate change and species‐specific strategies to maximize the success and self‐sustainability of restoration plantings. Meanwhile, population‐level genetic data is proving an increasingly valuable tool to achieve this, providing restoration biologists insights into evolutionary history and processes that impact restoration practices. Combining these factors is a major step toward the development and implementation of species‐specific, evolutionarily informed seed sourcing strategies. We seek to establish a balanced approach that bridges the gap between broad generalizations, which lack the nuance needed for successful restoration of individual species, and the highly intensive and costly bespoke single‐species studies sometimes undertaken. To this end, we present a workflow and decision‐making process to develop species‐specific seed sourcing strategies using Single Nucleotide Polymorphism (SNP) data and test its implementation on 10 common and abundant woodland species frequently used in ecological restoration in Australia. The workflow we have developed highlights factors that need to be considered when undertaking ecological restoration including taxonomic uncertainties, hybridization, and range extensions resulting from human activities. It also helps to develop insights into species' reproductive biology and biogeography to enable informed seed movement across the landscape. Thus, it establishes a framework for undertaking restoration genomics studies to facilitate the development of evolutionarily informed seed sourcing. This in turn will help ensure the successful establishment of self‐sustaining restored populations.