Botanists Debate the Benefits of Assisted Plant Migration

nytimes.com:

We recognize that climate change is likely to be very rapid and that seeds only disperse a few hundred yards, half a mile at most, naturally, said Kayri Havens, the botanic garden's director of plant science and conservation. "They'll need our help if we want to keep those species alive."

Other scientists argue that tinkering with the complexity of habitats is courting disaster -- and huge expense.

Read the whole story: nytimes.com

Comments

[toxicbrainpoison]

02:42 AM on 11/12/2009

Has to happen. Its going to get hotter and precipitation will change. The wildlife has to go somewhere otherwise it will all die.

[LittleMittens]

01:52 AM on 11/12/2009

plant matter is only one facet of an Eco system. All of the facets

[Mnemanth]

02:10 PM on 11/10/2009

No! No!
Things are meant to remain right where they are!
Don't move anything!
It's an abomination!

Hey, if you want to help move plants around, do your thing. The concept of "management" on the part of humans is pretty lame. Mother Nature- via wind, water, migrating herds (including us!), etc.- has been doing a pretty good job of moving things around our little world for quite awhile.

[DEXTERMORGAN]

12:54 PM on 11/10/2009

Dahun - folks doing this are trying to reverse an extinction brought about humans need to have strip malls. What can I say artificial selection to combat artificial extinction, what a slippery-slope.

iScan - enjoying a species in its proper habitat is ideal, whoever when introduced else where they may become a problem-

Knapweed is an invasive weed. introduced in Washington in 1907 it spread throughout western America as well as in Canada. Knapweed is been successful in competing with native plants for space and water.
livestock and wild herbivores have been known to graze on knapweed - especially when there aren't more palatable species present, Many have prickles and some are very sharp, which can cause injury to the stomachs of animals, and to their skin as the animals walk or scurry through a heavily infested area. ( http://www.cwnp.org/theweed.html )

robbyJ - there is nothing Darwinian when, species are transported from one location to another( As you say may the strongest survive). Let me correct my self- there is nothing Darwinian in a positive way when they compete with other native plants.

Think Canada Thistle accidentally introduced in the US:

Canada ThistleScientific name: Cirsium arvense (L.) Scop

Common names: Canada thistle, Californian thistle, Canadian thistle, creeping thistle, field thistle, corn thistle...
Native To: Eurasia

Date of U.S. Introduction: 1600s

Means of Introduction: Probably accidental through farm seed shipments

Impact: Crowds out native species; reduces crop and forage yields

http://www.invasivespeciesinfo.gov/plants/canthistle.shtml

[Dahun]

11:53 AM on 11/10/2009

It seems that moving all those plants to warmer climates to make sure they survive the current cooling period is a huge undertaking that will cost billions and would have zero effect on the planet. It sounds like something that will gain instant favor in the alarmist community.

[iScan]

11:59 AM on 11/10/2009

You say that now while they're still around. People may think differently when they are no longer there to study and enjoy.

[robbyJ]

11:15 AM on 11/10/2009

I think it helps.

May the strongest survive.