Hello there ^^ I’m sorry if this was already answered somewhere but I couldn’t find the information. What is the policy on observations made in restored ecosystems? Should they be classified as “wild” or “captive/cultivated”? I am thinking of specific examples, such as a small island that was def…

if the individual was planted, it is cultivated in perpetuity. If new plants self-seed from those original plants, they are wild

Thank you for your answer. The problem is, as an outside observer, how would you know ? If you are only aware of the history of the ecosystem but not of which individuals were planted. After a few years or decades it becomes very difficult or even impossible to know if the specific individual you a…

[image] ppericard: The problem is, as an outside observer, how would you know ? If you are only aware of the history of the ecosystem but not of which individuals were planted. After a few years or decades it becomes very difficult or even impossible to know if the specific individual you are lo…

It’s tricky. For gray areas like these situations, I usually pose the question, “Is this spreading beyond the original “planting”?” And you just try your best. What’s really valuable, by the way, is including, in text, any information that you do know about the history of the site, (e.g. an interpre…

[image] thebeachcomber: if the individual was planted, it is cultivated in perpetuity. If new plants self-seed from those original plants, they are wild [image] ppericard: The problem is, as an outside observer, how would you know ? This is my personal take, and it might cause some hea…

On a related note, if a bioblitz run in a (largely) natural area records an individual plant that you know was planted there, should you mark it as cultivated? In some cases, this may exclude the observation from an associated project.

My view on this it is not such a big deal whichever way you call it. Other posters here have provided examples, e.g planting endemic species as a forestry practice. Exotic,- feral species are considered wild if they are not obviously planted or maintained. If it is obvious that an organism is plante…

[image] ppericard: What is the policy on observations made in restored ecosystems? Should they be classified as “wild” or “captive/cultivated”? But considering that an ecosystem consists of more than the plants, we run into the problem of mobile cultivated organisms if we start being literal …

There is an earlier thread - truck crashed - their load of fish for reintroduction escaped. Only on iNat would we be discussing. Are the fish now Wild escapees? Or Captive but escaped?

Policy on restored ecosystems

General

twainwright September 7, 2025, 5:06am 6

Topic		Replies	Views
Trees that were planted, but growing "in wild", should be considered "wild", and additional "grade" for "grey zone" is required General	75	5196	January 14, 2022
Are restored ecosystems wild or cultivated? General	22	2051	June 14, 2021
Observations from areas under restoration General	1	911	September 10, 2019
Casual vs. Restorative General question	62	2548	February 3, 2023
Wild or Cultivated? How to tell General	56	7436	March 2, 2021

Policy on restored ecosystems

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