Researchers investigate whether plants can be helped to move when the climate changes

Climate change is rapidly altering the conditions for many plant species. To save them from extinction, a helping hand is sometimes needed. This is called assisted migration – humans moving plants to new areas where they have a better chance of surviving in the future.

Formas is now investing 12 million Swedish kronor in a new research project to investigate how assisted migration can be used in Sweden's forests. The aim is to find ways to preserve biodiversity and important ecosystem services, even as the climate changes.

The project is led by SLU, but researchers from several different disciplines are collaborating. Malgorzata Blicharska, senior lecturer in sustainable development at the Natural Resources and Sustainable Development research programme, is responsible for the part that deals with the social and political obstacles that may exist to moving plants in this way. Malgorzata Blicharska has received 3.7 million Swedish kronor for her work.

The researchers will use a variety of methods, including compiling previous research, field studies, computer models and analyses of policy and legislation. The aim is to find out where assisted migration can work best, what risks there are and how rules and decisions can be adapted so that the method can be used responsibly.

For more information, contact:

Malgorzata Blicharska, Senior Lecturer/Associate Professor in Sustainable development
Telephone:+46 18 471 70 56
E-mail: malgorzata.blicharska@geo.uu.se