A pragmatic approach for integrating molecular tools into biodiversity conservation

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  • Francine Kershaw
  • Isa Rita M. Russo
  • Anna J. MacDonald
  • Paul Sunnucks
  • Michael W. Bruford
  • Carlos Daniel Cadena
  • Kyle M. Ewart
  • Mark de Bruyn
  • Mark D.B. Eldridge
  • Richard Frankham
  • Juan M. Guayasamin
  • Catherine E. Grueber
  • Thierry B. Hoareau
  • Sean Hoban
  • Paul A. Hohenlohe
  • Margaret E. Hunter
  • Antoinette Kotze
  • Josiah Kuja
  • Robert C. Lacy
  • Linda Laikre
  • Nathan Lo
  • Mariah H. Meek
  • Joachim Mergeay
  • Cinnamon Mittan-Moreau
  • Linda E. Neaves
  • David O'Brien
  • Joel W. Ochieng
  • Rob Ogden
  • Pablo Orozco-terWengel
  • Mónica Páez-Vacas
  • Jennifer Pierson
  • Katherine Ralls
  • Robyn E. Shaw
  • Etotépé A. Sogbohossou
  • Adam Stow
  • Tammy Steeves
  • Cristiano Vernesi
  • Mrinalini Watsa
  • Gernot Segelbacher

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.

Original languageEnglish
Article numbere13053
JournalConservation Science and Practice
Volume6
Issue number1
Number of pages15
ISSN2578-4854
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 2024

Bibliographical note

Publisher Copyright:
© 2023 The Authors. Conservation Science and Practice published by Wiley Periodicals LLC on behalf of Society for Conservation Biology.

    Research areas

  • conservation, management, molecular tools

ID: 379031735