Research School of Biology, The Australian National University, Canberra, Australia; Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, University of California, Santa Cruz, Santa Cruz, United States
Jason G Bragg
Research School of Biology, The Australian National University, Canberra, Australia; National Herbarium of New South Wales, The Royal Botanic Gardens and Domain Trust, Sydney, Australia
Linda M Broadhurst
Centre for Australian National Biodiversity Research, Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation (CSIRO), National Research Collections and Facilities, Canberra, Australia
Adrienne B Nicotra
Research School of Biology, The Australian National University, Canberra, Australia
Biodiverstiy and Conservation Science, Department of Biodiversity, Conservation and Attractions Western Australia, Bentley, Australia
Rose L Andrew
School of Environmental and Rural Science, University of New England, Armidale, Australia
Abigail Widdup
Research School of Biology, The Australian National University, Canberra, Australia
Nicola C Aitken
Research School of Biology, The Australian National University, Canberra, Australia
Justin O Borevitz
Research School of Biology, The Australian National University, Canberra, Australia; Centre of Excellence in Plant Energy Biology, The Australian National University, Canberra, Australia
As species face rapid environmental change, we can build resilient populations through restoration projects that incorporate predicted future climates into seed sourcing decisions. Eucalyptus melliodora is a foundation species of a critically endangered community in Australia that is a target for restoration. We examined genomic and phenotypic variation to make empirical based recommendations for seed sourcing. We examined isolation by distance and isolation by environment, determining high levels of gene flow extending for 500 km and correlations with climate and soil variables. Growth experiments revealed extensive phenotypic variation both within and among sampling sites, but no site-specific differentiation in phenotypic plasticity. Model predictions suggest that seed can be sourced broadly across the landscape, providing ample diversity for adaptation to environmental change. Application of our landscape genomic model to E. melliodora restoration projects can identify genomic variation suitable for predicted future climates, thereby increasing the long term probability of successful restoration.
