Questions, perspectives and final considerations of planting native species under the climate change conditioning

Abstract

Planting native species requires particular genetic considerations in order to minimize the risks of maladaptation and genetic contamination. Outbreeding depression and genetic swamping are possible processes that should be avoided. Authenticity and functionality are two opposing objectives in active restoration of degraded ecosystems. Actual examples of genetic risks in Argentina regarding native species plantation are presented. Climate change is a deep conditioning of tree plantation and according to the forecast for Argentina a future shifting in the natural range of forest tree species is expected. An example through ecological niche modelling in two Nothofagus species shows possible outcomes of this shift. Another example based on threshold models determining timing of germination describes possible altitudinal shifts. Assisted migration and assisted gene flow are potential resources to mitigate the impact of climate change: should we breed for the present or for the future climate? The dilemma of facing the risk of extinction through a risk of invasion.