Abstract
Plant diversity is essential for our future. Existing actions show that plant diversity in the U.S. can be effectively conserved and restored. However, initiatives need to be expanded at a time of unprecedented environmental change with implications for national and global economic development and security. There are major challenges in managing native plant diversity, including “plant blindness” that results in a lack of public and political interest. Botanical capacity in the workforce, educational institutions, and general public is declining at the same time as it is necessary to study and conserve native plant communities and understand the shifting baselines arising from climate change. In this chapter the challenges are addressed, progress in restoring plant-rich habitats and the economic benefits this brings are discussed, and the fundamental need for wise use of native seed is emphasized.
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Oldfield, S.F., Olwell, P., Shaw, N., Havens, K. (2019). Looking Ahead. In: Seeds of Restoration Success. Springer Earth System Sciences. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-96974-9_7
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