Professor Ary Hoffmann, an ecologist and insect expert, has argued his case in the latest issue of Australian Science, nicely summarised in a media release to Australian Science Communicators.
Hoffman says: “When we re-establish natives in our gardens, along roadsides and in our parks, we should use plants with genes that are going to cope well with conditions in the future. By using mixtures of seeds from local areas and other locations that reflect the future environment, we create a diversity of genes upon which natural selection can act.”
Hoffman says: “When we re-establish natives in our gardens, along roadsides and in our parks, we should use plants with genes that are going to cope well with conditions in the future. By using mixtures of seeds from local areas and other locations that reflect the future environment, we create a diversity of genes upon which natural selection can act.”
Hoffmann accepts that this will require a change from our current desire for genetic ‘purity’, avoiding mixing populations that are not connected or close. In his view, “The most valuable tracts will contain mixtures of genes and be capable of evolving to deal with future conditions”.
As he explains: “When some individuals survive hot conditions whereas others perish, we are witnessing natural selection and evolution in action. We can help meet this challenge by promoting selection and evolution – increasing the ability of our plant and animal populations to evolve and deal with changing conditions”.
Like all such debates it's a matter of degree. Ideally we can maintain some of the genetically distinct populations that exist today and not have to resort to a homogenous blend just so a species, and habitats, can exist. On the other hand if we zealously stick to local seed only we may, in the longer term, be sending a species extinct.
From http://talkingplants.blogspot.com, see original source.
