Getting to the Source of Our Native Plants: Does Provenance Matter? – Jan. 24 – WLS 2021

As native plants gain popularity in the horticultural trade, there are important issues and challenges that need to be considered. The potential for genetic exchange between cultivated native plants and wild plant populations means that our landscaping decisions have impacts beyond the boundaries of our yards. Does the geographic source of a plant matter as long as it’s a native species? Are cultivars of native species equivalent to naturally occurring populations? These topics will be discussed and recommendations given to help native plant enthusiasts make better-informed decisions for the long-term survival of native species.

Daniel P. Duran, Ph.D., is an assistant professor in the Department of Environmental Science at Rowan University, as well as the naturalist for Scotland Run Park, a 1300-acre nature preserve at the edge of the New Jersey Pine Barrens. He has published research papers on agricultural entomology, biodiversity, and molecular phylogenetics.  Duran has described 10 new species of insects previously unknown to science. He earned a B.S. in environmental science from Stockton University, an M.S. in entomology from the University of Missouri and a Ph.D. in evolution and ecology from Vanderbilt University. In between his degrees, he has also worked for the Natural History Museum, London, UK and the Smithsonian Tropical Research Institute in Panama. Duran is a co-author of the book “A Field Guide to the Tiger Beetles of the United States and Canada, 2nd Edition.”