| 1. |
- Bertola, Laura D., et al.
(author)
-
A pragmatic approach for integrating molecular tools into biodiversity conservation
- 2024
-
In: Conservation science and practice. - 2578-4854. ; 6:1
-
Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Molecular tools are increasingly applied for assessing and monitoring biodiversity and informing conservation action. While recent developments in genetic and genomic methods provide greater sensitivity in analysis and the capacity to address new questions, they are not equally available to all practitioners: There is considerable bias across institutions and countries in access to technologies, funding, and training. Consequently, in many cases, more accessible traditional genetic data (e.g., microsatellites) are still utilized for making conservation decisions. Conservation approaches need to be pragmatic by tackling clearly defined management questions and using the most appropriate methods available, while maximizing the use of limited resources. Here we present some key questions to consider when applying the molecular toolbox for accessible and actionable conservation management. Finally, we highlight a number of important steps to be addressed in a collaborative way, which can facilitate the broad integration of molecular data into conservation. Molecular tools are increasingly applied in conservation management; however, they are not equally available to all practitioners. We here provide key questions when establishing a conservation genetic study and highlight important steps which need to be addressed when these tools are globally applied.image
|
|
| 2. |
- Andersson, Anastasia, 1987-, et al.
(author)
-
Monitoring genetic diversity with new indicators applied to an alpine freshwater top predator
- 2022
-
In: Molecular Ecology. - : Wiley. - 0962-1083 .- 1365-294X. ; 31:24, s. 6422-6439
-
Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Genetic diversity is the basis for population adaptation and long-term survival, yet rarely considered in biodiversity monitoring. One key issue is the need for useful and straightforward indicators of genetic diversity. We monitored genetic diversity over 40 years (1970–2010) in metapopulations of brown trout (Salmo trutta) inhabiting 27 small mountain lakes representing 10 lake systems in central Sweden using >1200 fish per time point. We tested six newly proposed indicators; three were designed for broad, international use in the UN Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) and are currently applied in several countries. The other three were recently elaborated for national use by a Swedish science-management effort and applied for the first time here. The Swedish indicators use molecular genetic data to monitor genetic diversity within and between populations (indicators ΔH and ΔFST, respectively) and assess the effective population size (Ne-indicator). We identified 29 genetically distinct populations, all retained over time. Twelve of the 27 lakes harboured more than one population indicating that brown trout biodiversity hidden as cryptic, sympatric populations are more common than recognized. The Ne indicator showed values below the threshold (Ne ≤ 500) in 20 populations with five showing Ne < 100. Statistically significant genetic diversity reductions occurred in several populations. Metapopulation structure appears to buffer against diversity loss; applying the indicators to metapopulations suggest mostly acceptable rates of change in all but one system. The CBD indicators agreed with the Swedish ones but provided less detail. All these indicators are appropriate for managers to initiate monitoring of genetic biodiversity.
|
|
| 3. |
- Dussex, Nicolas, et al.
(author)
-
Range-wide and temporal genomic analyses reveal the consequences of near-extinction in Swedish moose
- 2023
-
In: Communications Biology. - 2399-3642. ; 6:1
-
Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Ungulate species have experienced severe declines over the past centuries through overharvesting and habitat loss. Even if many game species have recovered thanks to strict hunting regulation, the genome-wide impacts of overharvesting are still unclear. Here, we examine the temporal and geographical differences in genome-wide diversity in moose (Alces alces) over its whole range in Sweden by sequencing 87 modern and historical genomes. We found limited impact of the 1900s near-extinction event but local variation in inbreeding and load in modern populations, as well as suggestion of a risk of future reduction in genetic diversity and gene flow. Furthermore, we found candidate genes for local adaptation, and rapid temporal allele frequency shifts involving coding genes since the 1980s, possibly due to selective harvesting. Our results highlight that genomic changes potentially impacting fitness can occur over short time scales and underline the need to track both deleterious and selectively advantageous genomic variation.
|
|
| 4. |
- Hoban, Sean, et al.
(author)
-
Genetic diversity goals and targets have improved, but remain insufficient for clear implementation of the post-2020 global biodiversity framework
- 2023
-
In: Conservation Genetics. - : Springer Science and Business Media LLC. - 1566-0621 .- 1572-9737. ; 24:2, s. 181-191
-
Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Genetic diversity among and within populations of all species is necessary for people and nature to survive and thrive in a changing world. Over the past three years, commitments for conserving genetic diversity have become more ambitious and specific under the Convention on Biological Diversity’s (CBD) draft post-2020 global biodiversity framework (GBF). This Perspective article comments on how goals and targets of the GBF have evolved, the improvements that are still needed, lessons learned from this process, and connections between goals and targets and the actions and reporting that will be needed to maintain, protect, manage and monitor genetic diversity. It is possible and necessary that the GBF strives to maintain genetic diversity within and among populations of all species, to restore genetic connectivity, and to develop national genetic conservation strategies, and to report on these using proposed, feasible indicators.
|
|
| 5. |
- Hoban, Sean, et al.
(author)
-
Monitoring status and trends in genetic diversity for the Convention on Biological Diversity : An ongoing assessment of genetic indicators in nine countries
- 2023
-
In: Conservation Letters. - 1755-263X. ; 16:3
-
Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Recent scientific evidence shows that genetic diversity must be maintained, managed, and monitored to protect biodiversity and nature's contributions to people. Three genetic diversity indicators, two of which do not require DNA-based assessment, have been proposed for reporting to the Convention on Biological Diversity and other conservation and policy initiatives. These indicators allow an approximation of the status and trends of genetic diversity to inform policy, using existing demographic and geographic information. Application of these indicators has been initiated and here we describe ongoing efforts in calculating these indicators with examples. We specifically describe a project underway to apply these indicators in nine countries, provide example calculations, address concerns of policy makers and implementation challenges, and describe a roadmap for further development and deployment, incorporating feedback from the broader community. We also present guidance documents and data collection tools for calculating indicators. We demonstrate that Parties can successfully and cost-effectively report these genetic diversity indicators with existing biodiversity observation data, and, in doing so, better conserve the Earth's biodiversity.
|
|
| 6. |
- Hoban, Sean, et al.
(author)
-
Too simple, too complex, or just right? Advantages, challenges, and guidance for indicators of genetic diversity
- 2024
-
In: BioScience. - 0006-3568 .- 1525-3244.
-
Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- 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.
|
|
| 7. |
- Hössjer, Ola, 1964-, et al.
(author)
-
Assessment of the Global Variance Effective Size of Subdivided Populations, and Its Relation to Other Effective Sizes
- 2023
-
In: Acta Biotheoretica. - 0001-5342 .- 1572-8358. ; 71:3
-
Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- The variance effective population size (N-eV) is frequently used to quantify the expected rate at which a population's allele frequencies change over time. The purpose of this paper is to find expressions for the global N-eV of a spatially structured population that are of interest for conservation of species. Since N-eV depends on allele frequency change, we start by dividing the cause of allele frequency change into genetic drift within subpopulations (I) and a second component mainly due to migration between subpopulations (II). We investigate in detail how these two components depend on the way in which subpopulations are weighted as well as their dependence on parameters of the model such a migration rates, and local effective and census sizes. It is shown that under certain conditions the impact of II is eliminated, and N-eV of the metapopulation is maximized, when subpopulations are weighted proportionally to their long term reproductive contributions. This maximal N-eV is the sought for global effective size, since it approximates the gene diversity effective size N-eGD, a quantifier of the rate of loss of genetic diversity that is relevant for conservation of species and populations. We also propose two novel versions of N-eV, one of which (the backward version of N-eV) is most stable, exists for most populations, and is closer to N-eGD than the classical notion of N-eV. Expressions for the optimal length of the time interval for measuring genetic change are developed, that make it possible to estimate any version of N-eV with maximal accuracy.
|
|
| 8. |
- Jansson, Mija, 1979-, et al.
(author)
-
mPed : a computer program for converting pedigree data to a format used by the PMx-software for conservation genetic analysis
- 2013
-
In: Conservation Genetics Resources. - : Springer Science and Business Media LLC. - 1877-7252 .- 1877-7260. ; 5:3, s. 651-653
-
Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- There is a growing need for conservation genetic management of animal populations when individual relatedness data (pedigrees) are available. Such data can be used to monitor rates of inbreeding and loss of genetic diversity. Traditionally, pedigree analysis for conservationmanagement has focused on zoo populations of threatened wild animals; available software has been developed in that context. Population Management x (PMx) is a free software for estimating genetic parameters including inbreeding, kinship, founder allele contribution and survival. PMx is an accessory program to the zoo studbook platform Single Population Analysis and Records Keeping System (SPARKS) and is not easily applied outside this platform, but such use is of interest for various domestic breeds or wild populations. We developed a converter program (mPed) for making pedigrees of any studbook format fitting the input requirements of PMx. mPed can be downloaded free at www.popgen.su.se/mped.php
|
|
| 9. |
- Kershaw, Francine, et al.
(author)
-
The Coalition for Conservation Genetics : Working across organizations to build capacity and achieve change in policy and practice
- 2022
-
In: Conservation Science and Practice. - : Wiley. - 2578-4854. ; 4:4
-
Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- The Coalition for Conservation Genetics (CCG) brings together four eminent organizations with the shared goal of improving the integration of genetic information into conservation policy and practice. We provide a historical context of conservation genetics as a field and reflect on current barriers to conserving genetic diversity, highlighting the need for collaboration across traditional divides, international partnerships, and coordinated advocacy. We then introduce the CCG and illustrate through examples how a coalition approach can leverage complementary expertise and improve the organizational impact at multiple levels. The CCG has proven particularly successful at implementing large synthesis-type projects, training early-career scientists, and advising policy makers. Achievements to date highlight the potential for the CCG to make effective contributions to practical conservation policy and management that no one “parent” organization could achieve on its own. Finally, we reflect on the lessons learned through forming the CCG, and our vision for the future.
|
|
| 10. |
- Kurland, Sara, 1989-, et al.
(author)
-
Effects of subpopulation extinction on effective size (Ne) of metapopulations
- 2023
-
In: Conservation Genetics. - : Springer Science and Business Media LLC. - 1566-0621 .- 1572-9737. ; 24:4, s. 417-433
-
Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Population extinction is ubiquitous in all taxa. Such extirpations can reduce intraspecific diversity, but the extent to which genetic diversity of surviving populations are affected remains largely unclear. A key concept in this context is the effective population size (Ne), which quantifies the rate at which genetic diversity within populations is lost. Ne was developed for single, isolated populations while many natural populations are instead connected to other populations via gene flow. Recent analytical approaches and software permit modelling of Ne of interconnected populations (metapopulations). Here, we apply such tools to investigate how extinction of subpopulations affects Ne of the metapopulation (NeMeta) and of separate surviving subpopulations (NeRx) under different rates and patterns of genetic exchange between subpopulations. We assess extinction effects before and at migration-drift equilibrium. We find that the effect of extinction on NeMeta increases with reduced connectivity, suggesting that stepping stone models of migration are more impacted than island-migration models when the same number of subpopulations are lost. Furthermore, in stepping stone models, after extinction and before a new equilibrium has been reached, NeRx can vary drastically among surviving subpopulations and depends on their initial spatial position relative to extinct ones. Our results demonstrate that extinctions can have far more complex effects on the retention of intraspecific diversity than typically recognized. Metapopulation dynamics need heightened consideration in sustainable management and conservation, e.g., in monitoring genetic diversity, and are relevant to a wide range of species in the ongoing extinction crisis.
|
|
