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Practitioner tools for addressing knowing–doing gaps in seed-based restoration

Published Article

United States

Publication date: April 11, 2025

File format: URL

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Global‑change pressures—climate shifts, wildfire and invasive species—are transforming western U.S. plant communities, increasing reliance on native‑seed restoration. Yet practitioners face ecological barriers such as seed predation, poor germination and early seedling mortality, alongside logistical challenges in sourcing appropriate seeds. This review highlights online tools that can narrow the knowing–doing gap, including species‑selection platforms, climate‑adapted seed tools, trait databases and restoration information portals. Improving tool usability, training and knowledge exchange is essential for translating research into practice and strengthening restoration success under accelerating global‑change conditions.

Subject Tags

  • Life Sciences
  • Climate adaptation

Abstract

The increasing impact of global change drivers, including climate change, wildfires and invasive plant species, is significantly transforming native plant communities in the western United States, prompting a strong focus on ecological restoration. One prominent restoration strategy involves using native seeds. However, achieving successful seed-based restoration faces several ecological and logistical challenges. Ecological obstacles can include seed predation, unsuccessful germination and early seedling mortality, while logistical issues can involve ensuring the availability and suitability of seeds for specific sites. To address these challenges, a range of tools, including species selection tools, climate-adapted seed tools, seed handling resources, trait databases and restoration information portals, have been developed to assist practitioners. Despite these resources, a significant gap exists between the research produced by scientists and its application by practitioners. Bridging this “knowing–doing” gap requires making information more available, relevant, current and understandable for end users. Our goal is to highlight online tools that can address the knowing–doing gap in seed-based restoration to provide a resource for individuals who are interested in: (1) learning about available tools and (2) creating tools for practitioners. Efforts to improve tool usability, provide training, and encourage knowledge exchange are essential to enhancing restoration outcomes and effectively using native seeds to mitigate the effects of global change.

Citation

Young, K. E., Bishop, T. B., Johnson, D. B., Gunnell, K., Faist, A., Garbowski, M., ... & Gornish, E. (2025). Practitioner tools for addressing knowing–doing gaps in seed‐based restoration. Restoration Ecology, 33(4), e70043. https://doi.org/10.1111/rec.70043

TNC Authors

  • Olga Kildisheva
    The Nature Conservancy