Assisted Colonization: Facilitate Migration First

Abstract

In his News Focus story “Home, home outside the range?” (24 September, p. [1592][1]), R. Stone explores the risks and current data gaps associated with the practice of assisted colonization—actively translocating species from degrading ecosystems to locations more favorable to long-term survival. As Stone discussed, many scientists assert that the practice, also known as assisted migration, should play a substantial role in combating the effects of climate change on the survival of species that cannot successfully migrate or adapt. In addition to its risks and uncertainties, however, assisted colonization presents many ethical and legal issues ([ 1 ][2]), and may be more appropriate as the choice of last resort. An intermediate strategy between doing nothing and active translocation is facilitated migration, which involves securing the conditions necessary for successful species migration to and eventual settlement in more hospitable environments ([ 2 ][3]). Facilitated migration might include, for example, conserving migratory corridors and areas believed likely to transition into habitat suitable for a species' new range. Although it may not work for all climate-threatened species, such as those stranded on mountaintops by rising temperatures, facilitated migration presents none of the thorny ethical issues of assisted colonization and, if carried out properly, is perfectly legal under laws such as the Endangered Species Act. It also helps scientists focus on forward-looking planning and conservation to ensure that both the habitat of a species' future and a way to get there are in place when needed. Facilitated migration should be developed in science and in policy as an important option for countering the effects of climate change on species survival and, where possible, should be used before turning to assisted colonization. 1. [↵][4]1. A. E. Camacho , Yale J. Reg. 27, 171 (2010). [OpenUrl][5] 2. [↵][6]1. J. B. Ruhl , Natl. Wetlands Newsl. 32, 26 (July–August, 2010). [OpenUrl][7] [1]: pending:yes [2]: #ref-1 [3]: #ref-2 [4]: #xref-ref-1-1 View reference 1 in text [5]: {openurl}?query=rft.jtitle%253DYale%2BJ.%2BReg.%26rft.volume%253D27%26rft.spage%253D171%26rft.genre%253Darticle%26rft_val_fmt%253Dinfo%253Aofi%252Ffmt%253Akev%253Amtx%253Ajournal%26ctx_ver%253DZ39.88-2004%26url_ver%253DZ39.88-2004%26url_ctx_fmt%253Dinfo%253Aofi%252Ffmt%253Akev%253Amtx%253Actx [6]: #xref-ref-2-1 View reference 2 in text [7]: {openurl}?query=rft.jtitle%253DNatl.%2BWetlands%2BNewsl.%26rft.volume%253D32%26rft.spage%253D26%26rft.genre%253Darticle%26rft_val_fmt%253Dinfo%253Aofi%252Ffmt%253Akev%253Amtx%253Ajournal%26ctx_ver%253DZ39.88-2004%26url_ver%253DZ39.88-2004%26url_ctx_fmt%253Dinfo%253Aofi%252Ffmt%253Akev%253Amtx%253Actx