Conservation translocations
“Conservation translocation is the intentional movement and release of a living organism where the primary objective is a conservation benefit” (IUCN/SSC, 2013)
Translocation may involve releases either within or outside the species’ native range. A particular modality of conservation translocations that may be suitable for CWR in situ conservation is circa situ or quasi in situ conservation.
This approach generally involves five steps:
- ecogeographic survey and analysis
- ex situ sampling of ecogeographically diverse populations
- planting of samples in ecogeographically matching sites and in situ maintenance
- record life-history traits and abiotic/biotic effects on population demography
- reintroduction of plants or seed to the source location
Guidelines on how to assess the feasibility, plan, design, manage and monitor a translocation can be found in the IUCN/SSC Guidelines for Reintroductions and Other Conservation Translocations.
