TY - JOUR
T1 - DNA-based studies and genetic diversity indicator assessments are complementary approaches to conserving evolutionary potential
AU - Hoban, Sean
AU - Paz-Vinas, Ivan
AU - Shaw, Robyn E.
AU - Castillo-Reina, Luis
AU - Silva, Jessica M.D.A.
AU - DeWoody, J. Andrew
AU - Ekblom, Robert
AU - Fedorca, Ancuta
AU - Forester, Brenna R.
AU - Funk, W. Chris
AU - Geue, Julia C.
AU - Heuertz, Myriam
AU - Hollingsworth, Peter M.
AU - Hughes, Alice C.
AU - Hunter, Margaret E.
AU - Hvilsom, Christina
AU - Ishihama, Fumiko
AU - Jordan, Rebecca
AU - Kalamujić Stroil, Belma
AU - Kershaw, Francine
AU - Khoury, Colin K.
AU - Köppä, Viktoria
AU - Laikre, Linda
AU - Macdonald, Anna J.
AU - Mastretta-Yanes, Alicia
AU - Meek, Mariah H.
AU - Mergeay, Joachim
AU - Millette, Katie L.
AU - O’Brien, David
AU - Rincón-Parra, Victor J.
AU - Rodríguez-Morales, M. Alejandra
AU - Schuman, Meredith C.
AU - Segelbacher, Gernot
AU - Sunnucks, Paul
AU - Taylor, Rebecca S.
AU - Thurfjell, Henrik
AU - Vernesi, Cristiano
AU - Grueber, Catherine E.
N1 - Funding Information:
The findings and conclusions in this article are those of the authors and do not necessarily represent the views of the US Fish and Wildlife Service. We acknowledge the efforts of the Coalition for Conservation Genetics and its component members, G-BIKE, the IUCN Conservation Genetics Specialist Group, the GEO BON Genetic Composition Working Group and the SCB Conservation Genetics Working Group, whose members have diligently worked to advance the science and practice of DNA-based studies and genetic diversity indicators, usually on a volunteer basis. We are grateful for this community. Any use of trade, firm, or product names is for descriptive purposes only and does not imply endorsement by the U.S. Government.
Funding Information:
Open Access funding enabled and organized by CAUL and its Member Institutions. We acknowledge support of the Biodiversa+ project GINAMO and the COST Action GENOA (CA23121). LL acknowledges Formas [2020-01290], Swedish Research Council [2019-05503], Swedish Environmental Protection Agency, Swedish Agency for Marine and Water Management.
Publisher Copyright:
© The Author(s) 2024. corrected publication 2024.
PY - 2024/12
Y1 - 2024/12
N2 - Genetic diversity is essential for maintaining healthy populations and ecosystems. Several approaches have recently been developed to evaluate population genetic trends without necessarily collecting new genetic data. Such “genetic diversity indicators” enable rapid, large-scale evaluation across dozens to thousands of species. Empirical genetic studies, when available, provide detailed information that is important for management, such as estimates of gene flow, inbreeding, genetic erosion and adaptation. In this article, we argue that the development and advancement of genetic diversity indicators is a complementary approach to genetic studies in conservation biology, but not a substitute. Genetic diversity indicators and empirical genetic data can provide different information for conserving genetic diversity. Genetic diversity indicators enable affordable tracking, reporting, prioritization and communication, although, being proxies, do not provide comprehensive evaluation of the genetic status of a species. Conversely, genetic methods offer detailed analysis of the genetic status of a given species or population, although they remain challenging to implement for most species globally, given current capacity and resourcing. We conclude that indicators and genetic studies are both important for genetic conservation actions and recommend they be used in combination for conserving and monitoring genetic diversity.
AB - Genetic diversity is essential for maintaining healthy populations and ecosystems. Several approaches have recently been developed to evaluate population genetic trends without necessarily collecting new genetic data. Such “genetic diversity indicators” enable rapid, large-scale evaluation across dozens to thousands of species. Empirical genetic studies, when available, provide detailed information that is important for management, such as estimates of gene flow, inbreeding, genetic erosion and adaptation. In this article, we argue that the development and advancement of genetic diversity indicators is a complementary approach to genetic studies in conservation biology, but not a substitute. Genetic diversity indicators and empirical genetic data can provide different information for conserving genetic diversity. Genetic diversity indicators enable affordable tracking, reporting, prioritization and communication, although, being proxies, do not provide comprehensive evaluation of the genetic status of a species. Conversely, genetic methods offer detailed analysis of the genetic status of a given species or population, although they remain challenging to implement for most species globally, given current capacity and resourcing. We conclude that indicators and genetic studies are both important for genetic conservation actions and recommend they be used in combination for conserving and monitoring genetic diversity.
KW - Biodiversity monitoring
KW - Genomics
KW - Population genetics
KW - Prioritisation
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=85201684816&partnerID=8YFLogxK
U2 - 10.1007/s10592-024-01632-8
DO - 10.1007/s10592-024-01632-8
M3 - Article
AN - SCOPUS:85201684816
SN - 1566-0621
VL - 25
SP - 1147
EP - 1153
JO - Conservation Genetics
JF - Conservation Genetics
IS - 6
ER -