Using DNA data to drive conservation efforts

An international panel of conservation experts has revealed how ancient and historical DNA (a/hDNA), such as genetic data from specimens preserved in natural history museums, can be used to assess population inheritance patterns and processes associated with endangered species

Publishing their findings in the journal Trends in Ecology and Evolution, the scientists say a/hDNA can be compared with contemporary data to inform conservation efforts and policy

Dr Evelyn Jensen, Lecturer in Molecular Ecology at Newcastle University's School of Natural and Environmental Sciences, who led the study, said: "While genetic diversity has grown since the first Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) in 1993, Recognized as a key component of biodiversity, yet it is rarely incorporated into conservation policies and regulations

"Our research shows that information from ancient and historical specimens can play a central role in protecting biodiversity and highlights specific conservation policies that can incorporate this data to help countries meet their CBD obligations

Experts agree that genetic indicators must be explicitly included in conservation policies in order to increase the use and impact of a/hDNA research in the conservation of biodiversity

The authors also emphasize that the greatest benefits can be realized only if the conservation community advocates for the use of genetic indicators in conservation policy

Cristiano Vernesi from the Edmund Mach Foundation in Italy, chair of the project "Cost Action G-BiKE", co-organized the workshop with Professor Tom Gilbert of the Institute of Earth Research at the University of Copenhagen, and produced the results reported in this paper

He said: "Current molecular tools allow us to consider countless historical and museum collections, such as ancient books to be read

To preserve the integrity of these books as much as possible, molecular geneticists must work closely with museum directors and the local community

Journal Reference :

1. Evelyn L.