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Loss, S.R.; Terwilliger, L.A.; Peterson, A.C.
Assisted colonization: Integrating conservation strategies in the face of climate change
2011  Biological Conservation (144): 92-100

Global climate change poses an immense challenge for conservation biologists seeking to mitigateimpacts to species and ecosystems. Species persistence will depend on geographic range shifts or adaptationin response to warming patterns as novel climates and community assemblages arise. Assisted colonizationhas been proposed as a method for addressing these challenges. This technique, which consistsof transporting species to a new range that is predicted to be favorable for persistence under futureclimate scenarios, has become the subject of controversy and discussion in the conservation communitydue to its highly manipulative nature, questions about widespread feasibility, and uncertainty associatedwith the likelihood of translocated species becoming invasive. We reviewed the discussion and criticismassociated with assisted colonization and sought to identify other conservation techniques that also displaypotential to promote the colonization and adaptation of species in response to climate change. Wepropose an integrated conservation strategy that includes management for habitat connectivity, conservationgenetics, and when necessary, assisted colonization of species that are still unable to shift theirranges even given implementation of the above standard conservation approaches. We argue that thisintegrated approach will facilitate persistence for a larger proportion of species than is possible by solelyusing assisted colonization. Furthermore, a multi-faceted approach will likely reduce the uncertainty ofconservation outcomes and will become increasingly necessary for conservation of biodiversity in achanging climate.

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