Pre-translocation assessment of biology and ecology

The considerations and information required when deciding whether to translocate a particular threatened plant species were discussed in Chapter 2. Once a decision to translocate has been made, further information - ecological, reproductive biology, genetic, environmental and logistical - is required to allow detailed plans to be developed and to enhance translocation success.

A translocation program should not commence or be approved until all of the following questions can be answered:

• Has an established recovery team for the species assisted with the pre-translocation assessment or has a suitable translocation working group been established as outlined in Section 3.1?
• Are relevant aspects of the taxon’s reproductive biology and ecology adequately understood (Section 3.1, 3.2, 3.4, 3.5)?
• Have experts on the genus been consulted?
• Has an assessment of the need for genetic research been conducted in consultation with a population geneticist and has any necessary genetic research been conducted (Section 3.3)?
• Have propagation methods been determined (Section 3.5)?