Episode 68: Assisted Migration

In this episode of In The Woods by Oregon State University's Extension Service, host Jake Barker discusses assisted migration and assisted gene flow with Jess Shamek, a field botanist and researcher focused on the adaptive capacity of Oregon White Oak. The conversation covers the definitions and importance of these practices in the context of climate change, best management practices, and the interconnectedness of forestry, farming, and ecology. They also discuss several tools and frameworks, such as the RAD framework, ClimateNA, and the Seed-lot Selection Tool, for planning and decision-making in forest management. Throughout the episode, there is an emphasis on understanding the risks, increasing genetic and species diversity, and learning from past introductions of non- native plants. For more information and resources concerning this episode and more, go to inthewoodspodcast.com.

00:00 Introduction to the Podcast 00:38 Meet Your Host: Jake Barker 00:44 Today's Topic: Assisted Migration and Gene Flow 01:17 Guest Introduction: Jess Shamek 03:54 Defining Assisted Migration 07:02 Understanding Assisted Gene Flow 12:17 Best Management Practices in Climate Change 21:41 The Role of Large-Scale Disturbances 26:09 Climate Change and Plant Communities 26:42 Best Management Practices (BMPs) for Ecosystems 27:15 Increasing Genetic and Species Diversity 29:45 Challenges and Testing of BMPs 31:37 Tools for Climate Adaptation 34:16 Species Distribution Models and Climate Data 40:42 Assisted Migration and Horticultural Practices 44:50 Final Thoughts and Resources