Ecoregions Matter When Choosing Native Plants
Native plants are defined not only by their species, but also by their specific location. The success of native plantings—whether in a garden, restoration site, or wildscape—depends largely on selecting plants that are genetically adapted to the specific conditions of your ecoregion.
An ecoregion is a geographic area defined by its unique climate, soils, elevation, and ecological history. These subtle but significant regional differences influence how native plants grow, bloom, reproduce, and survive. For example, a plant species native to both southern Norway and central Sweden might have local adaptations—like frost tolerance, photoperiod sensitivity, or drought endurance—that make one population thrive while another fails in the same spot.
Why Local Sourcing Matters
Sourcing seeds or plants from local growers who specialize in ecoregionally adapted stock ensures that what you’re planting is genetically equipped to handle the specific environmental pressures of your site—whether that’s salt-laden coastal winds, extreme winter freeze-thaw cycles, low nutrient soils, or increasing summer heat due to climate change.
In contrast, plants grown from seed collected far outside your region—even if technically “native”—may lack the finely tuned adaptations that local genotypes have developed over centuries. These plants can:
Generalists vs. Specialists
Some native plants are generalists, with broad ecological tolerances that allow them to grow in a wide range of conditions. Others are specialists, adapted to very narrow niches—such as sandy coastal dunes, serpentine barrens, or shady streambanks. These specialists often form the backbone of stable, biodiverse ecosystems but are especially vulnerable when planted outside of their natural context.
Climate Change and Shifting Habitats
As climate change continues to shift weather patterns, selecting plants with local resilience and genetic diversity becomes even more critical. Relying on nursery stock from far-off regions may only compound challenges, as these plants may not be able to withstand erratic rainfall, prolonged droughts, or seasonal mismatches.
When planting native, know your ecoregion. Work with ethical local growers and native plant nurseries that track the provenance of their seed stock. Make informed decisions that respect both the ecological role of native plants and the genetic wisdom they’ve developed over millennia. It’s not just about planting the right species—it’s about planting the right native plant, in the right place, at the right time of year.
Climate change is profoundly altering ecosystems, and one of its most significant impacts is the shifting of habitats. This phenomenon, driven by changes in temperature, precipitation, and extreme weather events, necessitates a fundamental rethinking of how we approach planting and restoration efforts. The provided text touches on several crucial aspects of this challenge, which we can expand upon to provide a more comprehensive understanding.
Climate Change and Shifting Habitats: A Deeper Dive
The Mechanics of Habitat Shift:
Temperature Gradients: As global temperatures rise, species that are sensitive to specific temperature ranges are forced to migrate towards higher latitudes or altitudes to find suitable conditions. This “thermal migration” can be rapid, outpacing the ability of some species to adapt or disperse.
Altered Precipitation Patterns: Climate change is leading to more erratic rainfall, with some regions experiencing increased droughts and others more intense downpours. This directly impacts soil moisture, nutrient availability, and the success of plant establishment, further driving habitat shifts.
Extreme Weather Events: Increased frequency and intensity of events like heatwaves, wildfires, floods, and severe storms directly destroy existing habitats and create inhospitable conditions for many species, forcing them to relocate or face local extinction.
Phenological Mismatches: Temperature changes can alter the timing of seasonal events like flowering, fruiting, and insect emergence (phenology). If these timings become desynchronized between interdependent species (e.g., a plant flowering before its pollinator emerges), it can disrupt entire food webs and ecosystem functions.
The Perils of Non-Local Nursery Stock:
The text rightly highlights the danger of relying on nursery stock from distant regions. This is a critical point that warrants further emphasis:
Lack of Local Adaptation: Plants, even within the same species, develop localized genetic adaptations over generations to the specific environmental conditions of their native habitat. These adaptations include resistance to local pests and diseases, tolerance to specific soil types, and synchronization with local climate cues (e.g., dormancy triggers, frost hardiness).
Compounding Stress: When non-locally sourced plants are introduced, they often lack these crucial adaptations. They may struggle with erratic rainfall, be more susceptible to local pathogens they haven’t evolved defenses against, or emerge from dormancy too early or too late for the prevailing local conditions. This adds an extra layer of stress onto already stressed ecosystems grappling with climate change.
Genetic Pollution: Introducing genetically distinct populations can lead to “outbreeding depression” if interbreeding occurs. This can dilute or disrupt the locally adapted gene pool, potentially reducing the overall fitness and resilience of native plant populations.
The Imperative of “Knowing Your Ecoregion”:
Ecological Regions (Ecoregions): These are areas defined by their distinct climate, geology, hydrology, and vegetation. Understanding your specific ecoregion is paramount because it provides a framework for identifying which native plants are truly suited to the local conditions. This goes beyond simply knowing what’s “native” to a broader state or national area.
Microclimates and Local Variation: Even within an ecoregion, significant variations in microclimates (e.g., sun exposure, soil moisture, elevation) can influence plant success. A truly informed approach considers these finer-scale differences.
The Role of Ethical Local Growers and Provenance Tracking:
Seed Provenance: This refers to the geographical origin of the parent plants from which seeds are collected. Ethical local growers and native plant nurseries are crucial because they prioritize tracking provenance. This ensures that the plants they provide are not just the correct species, but also genetically aligned with the local environment.
Genetic Wisdom: The concept of “genetic wisdom” is powerful. It encapsulates the millennia of evolutionary adaptation that has allowed native plants to thrive in their specific ecological niches. By utilizing plants with known local provenance, we are tapping into this deep well of evolved resilience.
Supporting Local Biodiversity: Working with local growers also strengthens regional economies and encourages the preservation of local genetic diversity in the plant trade.
Beyond Species: The Right Native Plant, Right Place, Right Time:
This concluding statement is a concise summary of the sophisticated approach required for successful restoration and planting in a changing climate:
The Right Species: This is the baseline – selecting plants that are demonstrably native to the ecoregion.
The Right Native Plant (Genetic Diversity): This emphasizes the importance of provenance and genetic suitability within the species. It means prioritizing locally adapted ecotypes or populations that possess the genetic traits necessary to withstand current and future climate stresses. This may also involve considering “climate-resilient genotypes” – individuals within a species that exhibit traits (e.g., drought tolerance) that are becoming more valuable under climate change.
The Right Place (Ecoregion and Microclimate): This refers to the specific environmental conditions of the planting site, ensuring that the chosen plant’s needs (e.g., sun, soil type, moisture) are met. It also means considering the long-term projections for that specific location under climate change.
The Right Time (Phenological Alignment): This considers not just the optimal planting season, but also how climate change might alter these windows. For example, planting too early if late frosts are becoming more common, or too late if spring droughts are intensifying. It also involves considering how the plant’s life cycle aligns with the needs of local wildlife.
Conclusion:
Climate change-driven habitat shifts demand a highly informed and localized approach to planting and restoration. Moving beyond a simplistic understanding of “native” and embracing the principles of ecoregional awareness, genetic provenance, and the “right plant, right place, right time” philosophy is paramount. This strategic approach is not just about ecological restoration; it’s about building resilient ecosystems that can adapt and thrive in an unpredictable future, safeguarding biodiversity and the vital ecological services they provide.
Resources for Informed Planting in a Changing Climate
To help you make the best decisions for your local ecosystem, here are some valuable resources:
Native Plant Finder (National Wildlife Federation)
URL: https://www.nwf.org/NativePlantFinder/
Description: An excellent tool to discover which native plants are best suited for your specific area, based on your zip code. It also highlights the number of butterfly and moth species that use these plants as host plants.
USDA NRCS Web Soil Survey
URL: https://websoilsurvey.sc.egov.usda.gov/
Description: Provides detailed soil data and information for locations across the contiguous United States. Understanding your soil type is fundamental to selecting the right plants.
Ecoregions of the United States (EPA)
URL: https://www.epa.gov/eco-research/ecoregions
Description: Explore maps and descriptions of different ecoregions across the U.S., helping you understand the broader ecological context of your planting site.
Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center – Native Plant Database
URL: https://www.wildflower.org/plants/
Description: A comprehensive database to research native plants by state, learn about their characteristics, growing conditions, and ecological value.
Association of Native Plant Nurseries (ANPN)
Description: While not a direct nursery, the ANPN promotes the use of native plants and provides resources that can help you find ethical, local native plant nurseries that prioritize provenance. Look for their “Find a Nursery” section or similar directory if available.
Local Native Plant Societies (General Search)
URL: https://choosenatives.org/location/native-nurseries/
Description: Performing a search for “[Your State/Region] Native Plant Society” will lead you to local organizations. These groups are excellent resources for local plant lists, events, and often maintain lists of reputable local nurseries and growers.
The Xerces Society for Invertebrate Conservation – Plant Lists
URL: https://www.xerces.org/plant-lists
Description: Provides regional plant lists focused on supporting pollinators and other beneficial insects, offering valuable insights into the ecological role of native plants.
