Seed source location: regional collection versus local collection

This study will explore how to restore an area most successfully by examining the effects of seed source location on a population%26#239;%26#191;%26#189;s genetic variance and fecundity. I hypothesize that restoration populations seeded with foreign genotypes will experience a greater breakdown in canalization, and, therefore, a greater increase in genetic variance than restoration populations seeded with local genotypes
I will chose my study sites in accordance with the habitat matching model to avoid a significant decrease in fitness from populations planted in nearby restoration areas to those planted in faraway restoration sites. I will use Lupinus bicolor as my study species, because it is a popular restoration species in California, and its selfing nature will decrease the possibility of genetic contamination from nearby populations. To determine fecundity I will count all seeds produced by each plant. To calculate the genetic variance of the offspring generation I will measure physiological traits, and analyze them using a parent-offspring regression.
To test my hypothesis, I will compare the difference in genetic variation between the control and each that population at each restoration site. If there is a greater increase in genetic variance between the control and the populations at the faraway restoration sites than between the control and the adjacent restoration site, my hypothesis that there is a greater breakdown of canalization in populations moved to foreign restoration sites in comparison with populations move to local restoration sites will be supported.