TY - JOUR
T1 - Too simple, too complex, or just right? Advantages, challenges, and guidance for indicators of genetic diversity
AU - Hoban, Sean
AU - da Silva, Jessica M
AU - Hughes, Alice
AU - Hunter, Margaret E
AU - Kalamujić Stroil, Belma
AU - Laikre, Linda
AU - Mastretta-Yanes, Alicia
AU - Millette, Katie
AU - Paz-Vinas, Ivan
AU - Bustos, Lucia Ruiz
AU - Shaw, Robyn E
AU - Vernesi, Cristiano
N1 - Funding Information:
This publication arose from activities and events which were funded by the Cost Action G-BiKE (CA18134), supported by the European Cooperation in Science and Technology ( www.cost.eu ). Additional financial support was provided by the Swedish Environmental Protection Agency, the TRACE Network, the Morton Arboretum and the University of Sydney.
Publisher Copyright:
© 2024 Oxford University Press. All rights reserved.
PY - 2024/4/1
Y1 - 2024/4/1
N2 - Measuring genetic diversity of wild species using DNA-based data remains resource intensive and time consuming for nearly all species. However, genetic assessments are needed for global conservation commitments, including the Convention on Biological Diversity, and for governments and managers to evaluate conservation progress, as well as prioritizing species and populations to preserve and recover genetic diversity (e.g., via genetic rescue). Recently, indicators were developed for tracking and reporting genetic diversity status and trends for hundreds of species. The indicators quantify two simple proxies of within-population and among-population genetic diversity and adaptive potential: small effective population size (Ne < 500) and the loss of genetically distinct populations. The indicators must balance scientific credibility, practicality, and simplicity. In the present article, we summarize the advantages of these pragmatic indicators, address critiques by scientists for simplifying assumptions and by policymakers for complexity, and propose potential solutions and next steps. We aim to support practitioners putting indicators into policy, action, legislation, and reporting.
AB - Measuring genetic diversity of wild species using DNA-based data remains resource intensive and time consuming for nearly all species. However, genetic assessments are needed for global conservation commitments, including the Convention on Biological Diversity, and for governments and managers to evaluate conservation progress, as well as prioritizing species and populations to preserve and recover genetic diversity (e.g., via genetic rescue). Recently, indicators were developed for tracking and reporting genetic diversity status and trends for hundreds of species. The indicators quantify two simple proxies of within-population and among-population genetic diversity and adaptive potential: small effective population size (Ne < 500) and the loss of genetically distinct populations. The indicators must balance scientific credibility, practicality, and simplicity. In the present article, we summarize the advantages of these pragmatic indicators, address critiques by scientists for simplifying assumptions and by policymakers for complexity, and propose potential solutions and next steps. We aim to support practitioners putting indicators into policy, action, legislation, and reporting.
KW - conservation genetics
KW - Convention on Biological Diversity
KW - effective population size
KW - Global Biodiversity Framework
KW - international policy
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=85193020081&partnerID=8YFLogxK
U2 - 10.1093/biosci/biae006
DO - 10.1093/biosci/biae006
M3 - Article
SN - 0006-3568
VL - 74
SP - 269
EP - 280
JO - Bioscience
JF - Bioscience
IS - 4
ER -