Abstract Translocations referred to as assisted migration, conservation translocation, managed relocation, and similar terms—which involve the intentional movement of organisms or propagative material from one area to another—can be useful for managing species and ecosystems under stress from climate change, invasive species, disease, or habitat loss. Different translocation actions carry different levels of risk, perceptions of which are confounded by translocation terms that have multiple meanings or nuanced differences in how they are used. As translocations are incorporated into policy, these terminological issues may affect decision‐making and associated outcomes. To avoid confusion and misunderstanding, we suggest a set of four best practices whenever using translocation terminology, including: (1) always define translocation terms, (2) use complete definitions that allow for unambiguous interpretations, (3) avoid identifying translocation terms as synonyms, and (4) avoid creating new translocation terms.
Falk et al. (Tue,) studied this question.