Got plants? Availability of and challenges to production of native plants for wetland restoration

Abstract

As the U.N. Decade on Restoration progresses, the demand for genetically and species‐diverse native plant materials for restoration is expected to increase. However, little is known about the availability of plant materials for restoration, particularly in wetlands, which have lagged behind in restoration research. Given the crucial role wetlands play in providing ecosystem services, particularly in semi‐arid regions worldwide, it is important to understand the availability of wetland plant materials for restoration. We surveyed plant material vendors in the Intermountain West of the United States, a vast region containing hundreds of millions of hectares of private working lands and protected areas. We sought to determine the breadth and diversity of species and materials available for restoration, the practices used by vendors, and the challenges they face. We found far lower availability of aquatic, emergent, and meadow wetland species compared to riparian and terrestrial species. To improve species availability, vendors need financial incentives to produce new or difficult‐to‐propagate species and clearer feedback from customers on what species meet their restoration goals. Market fluctuations are the biggest challenge that vendors face, and creating consistent demand is the most important way to overcome this challenge. Overall, vendors follow best practices for obtaining and maintaining genetic diversity in their seed and plant collections, a critical component to meeting restoration goals. However, there are still some opportunities to improve best practices. The results add to the understanding of the challenges in meeting plant material demand for restoration in wetlands regionally and globally.