The Seedlot Selection Tool (SST) is a web-based mapping application designed to help natural resource managers match seedlots with planting sites based on climatic information.
Because of natural selection to different climatic conditions at a location, plant populations are genetically differentiated from one another and are generally locally adapted. As a result, differences in climates among seedlots reflect differences in adaptation. The SST maps locations where a seedlot matches a planting site assuming the seedlot was locally adapted to the past climate. The climates of the planting sites can be chosen to represent past climates or future climates based on selected climate change scenarios.
The SST allows the user to control many input parameters, allowing them to explore different assumptions about climate change, how plant populations are adapted to climate, and the risk tolerance of the user. The eight steps described below will provide guidelines to tailor the tool to your specific reforestation or restoration needs.
The tool is a collaboration between the US Forest Service, Oregon State University, and the Conservation Biology Institute.
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