Considered an essential conservation tool, plant reintroductions have been conducted for many of the world's rarest plant species. The expertise and knowledge gained through these efforts constitute an essential storehouse of information for conservationists faced with a rapidly changing global climate. This volume presents a comprehensive review of reintroduction projects and practices, the circumstances of their successes or failures, lessons learned, and the potential role for reintroductions in preserving species threatened by climate change. Contributors examine current plant reintroduction practices, from selecting appropriate source material and recipient sites to assessing population demography. The findings culminate in a set of Best Reintroduction Practice Guidelines, included in an appendix. These guidelines cover stages from planning and implementation to long-term monitoring, and offer not only recommended actions but also checklists of questions to consider that are applicable to projects around the world. Traditional reintroduction practice can inform managed relocation-the deliberate movement of species outside their native range-which may be the only hope for some species to persist in a natural environment. Included in the book are discussions of the history, fears, and controversy regarding managed relocation, along with protocols for evaluating invasive risk and proposals for conducting managed relocation of rare plants. Plant Reintroduction in a Changing Climate is a comprehensive and accessible reference for practitioners to use in planning and executing rare plant reintroductions. "will serve as a very useful resource for anyone interested or involved in the management of rare plants." ― Restoration Ecology "A must read for those interested in [managed relocation]... There is more than enoughsubstance in this text to warrant a place on any conservation, restoration, landscape, or geographical ecologist's bookshelf." ― Landscape Ecology "A solid and core addition for science and environmental collections, Plant Reintroduction in a Changing Climate is not to be overlooked." ― Midwest Book Review "This is an extremely important book which needs to be widely read and more importantly used as stimulus for debate so that we can decide upon the policy and actions which will be required to manage environments and to conserve biodiversity in the future." ― Ecological Management and Restoration "...this work will certainly be heavily used and referenced by diverse readers around the world." ― Chicago Botanic Garden Lenhardt Library Current Books "Governments worldwide have committed to restoring at least 15 percent of the world's degraded ecosystems by 2020. Plant reintroduction is a vital component of this effort, putting the right species back in the right places. This book is essential reading for all who would join the global task of restoring the earth." -- Sara Oldfield ― Secretary General, Botanic Gardens Conservation International " Plant Reintroduction in a Changing Climate provides a timely and comprehensive review of the science of restoring rare plant species. In our changing world, the threats to plants, and the need for restoration, are both rapidly increasing. This volume provides some of the best thinking on the design and implementation of reintroduction projects and belongs on the bookshelves of all those working to stem the losses of plant biodiversity." -- Kayri Havens ― Director, Plant and Science Conservation, Chicago Botanic Garden Joyce Maschinski is the conservation ecologist leading the South Florida conservation program at Fairchild Tropical Botanic Garden. Kristin E. Haskins is the research scientist at The Arboretum at Flagstaff and a research assistant professor at Northern Arizona University in Flagstaff, Arizona. Plant Reintroduction in a Changing Climate Promises and Perils By Joyce Maschinski, Kristin E. Haskins, Peter H. Raven ISLAND PRESS Copyright © 2012 Island Press All rights reserved. ISBN: 978-1-59726-831-8 Contents SOCIETY FOR ECOLOGICAL RESTORATION, ABOUT THE CENTER FOR PLANT CONSERVATION, Title Page, Copyright Page, Dedication, BOXES, FOREWORD, ACKNOWLEDGMENTS, Chapter 1 - Introduction, How to Use This Book, PART I - Review of Plant Reintroductions, Chapter 2 - Characterising Two Decades of Rare Plant Reintroductions, Chapter 3 - A Meta-Analysis of Threatened Plant Reintroductions from across the Globe, PART II - Reintroduction Science and Practice, Chapter 4 - The Critical Role of the Public: Plant Conservation through Volunteer and Community Outreach Projects, Chapter 5 - Genetic Considerations in Rare Plant Reintroduction: Practical Applications (or How Are We Doing?), Chapter 6 - Transitioning Plants to New Environments: Beneficial Applications of Soil Microbes, Chapter 7 - Optimal Locations for Plant Reintroductions in a Changing World, Chapter 8 - Strategic Decisions in Conse