Outcomes associated with translocation techniques vary between two closely related and critically imperiled plant species

Land use and climate change put many rare plant species at risk of extinction. Translocation within restoration projects may be essential for their future survival, but successful recruitment from translocated individuals can difficult to achieve. Physaria obcordata congesta are endemic a narrow band shale outcrops subject intense energy development in the Piceance Basin (Colorado, U.S.A.). We examined approaches establishing new populations these critically imperiled suitable unoccupied habitats range by monitoring fall-sown seeds fall- or spring-transplanted seedlings 6 years. Because obligately outcrossing exhibit genetic clustering, we monitored three translocation sites near (<600 m, one cluster) far (>600 mixed clusters) existing conspecific populations. Seeding spring transplanting were P. fall transplants did not survive. more than twice as likely survive largely failed either season performed equally well, especially Transplants first flowered after 1 year occurred 3 years both species. Recruitment continued through 2021. Although share life history traits habitat requirements, found they differ important ways relevant long-term population viability. Our work highlights importance understanding unique ecology even closely related improve likelihood conservation.