Editorial Material
Agriculture, Dairy & Animal Science
J. Kor Oldenbroek
Summary: The conservation of genetic diversity is a costly process, but genomic information is now essential for making choices in conservation. Genomics can accurately measure genetic distances and detect valuable rare alleles and haplotypes, aiding in the conservation of genomic regions.
Article
Agronomy
Khanyisani S. Nxumalo, Paul Grobler, Karen Ehlers, Lucky T. Nesengani, Ntanganedzeni O. Mapholi
Summary: The study aimed to assess the genetic relationship between different ecotypes of indigenous South African sheep breed Nguni using SNP markers and compare them with other selected South African breeds. The genetic differences were observed among Nguni sheep populations, with the Zulu and Swazi populations clustering together and showing distinction from the Pedi ecotype. The study also revealed genetic admixtures in the Damara and Dorper sheep, most likely as a result of recent intermixing between indigenous and commercial breeds. The study provides important baseline information for establishing conservation and breeding programs for indigenous sheep breeds.
Article
Plant Sciences
Hassan Mansour, Hameed Alsamadany, Zaki M. Al-Hasawi
Summary: A study found that Rhanterium epapposum Oliv., a medicinal shrub in the Arabian Peninsula, has low genetic diversity and high genetic differentiation among populations. The species is facing threats such as overcutting, overgrazing, and increasing human activities, which are exacerbated by climate change-induced aridification. The lack of gene migration among populations is causing a severe deficiency in genetic diversity. Measures such as seed banks, restoration of diminished populations, and monitoring and prevention of threats are urgently needed to protect and recover the remaining populations.
Article
Biodiversity Conservation
Andres Flores, Enrique Buendia Rodriguez, Tomas Pineda Ojeda, Eulogio Flores Ayala, Jorge Mendez-Gonzalez
Summary: Genetic conservation is vital for the future of forests, but they are facing various threats, as seen in Mexico's degradation of forest genetic resources over the past three decades due to deforestation. Despite being a center of pine diversity, Mexico's genetic conservation efforts are insufficient. By analyzing the species distribution at national and germplasm transfer zone levels, and evaluating them based on minimum conservation requirements and EUFORGEN indicators, we identified 13 to 15 genetic zones containing the target species. We established 173 areas for genetic conservation units, with 50% selected from areas with genetic information, 5% from seed stands, and 45% from natural forests. We also found that most forest reproductive materials are collected from seed stands, with limited use of seeds from breeding trials.
Review
Genetics & Heredity
Romesh Kumar Salgotra, Bhagirath Singh Chauhan
Summary: Plant genetic resources (PGRs) are crucial for increasing farming resilience and profit and should be conserved for sustainable food security. The diversity of genetic resources, including landraces, wild relatives, and modern varieties, contributes to maintaining sustainable biodiversity and developing new crop varieties with desirable traits. Biotechnological tools, such as next-generation sequencing and gene banks, aid in the characterization and conservation of rare species, as well as the identification and transfer of novel genes for crop breeding. This article focuses on recent advancements in maintaining genetic resource diversity, conservation, and sustainable utilization for global food security.
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Anne-Christine Monnet, Kevin Cilleros, Frederic Medail, Marwan Cheikh Albassatneh, Juan Arroyo, Gianluigi Bacchetta, Francesca Bagnoli, Zoltan Barina, Manuel Cartereau, Nicolas Casajus, Panayotis Dimopoulos, Gianniantonio Domina, Aggeliki Doxa, Marcial Escudero, Bruno Fady, Arndt Hampe, Vlado Matevski, Stephen Misfud, Toni Nikolic, Daniel Pavon, Anne Roig, Estefania Santos Barea, Ilaria Spanu, Arne Strid, Giovanni Giuseppe Vendramin, Agathe Leriche
Summary: Trees are crucial in ecosystems worldwide, but the biodiversity of Mediterranean trees is not well understood. The WOODIV database provides reliable data on occurrences, functional traits, and genetic information for 210 Euro-Mediterranean tree species, benefiting research in conservation, biogeography, and community ecology.
Review
Biodiversity Conservation
Ripfumelo Success Mabunda, Mahlako Linah Makgahlela, Khathutshelo Agree Nephawe, Bohani Mtileni
Summary: Genetic diversity studies on dog breeds, using pedigree and molecular markers, are important for increasing adaptability and survival of dog populations. Genomic tools have become the preferred method for accurate estimation and improvement of genetic diversity in recent years.
Article
Biodiversity Conservation
Xue Zhang, Liu Yang, Yuan-Huan Liu, Xiong-Li Zhou, Li-Qin Zhang, Yue-Hua Wang, Shi-Kang Shen
Summary: The study revealed that Cinnamomum chago has low genetic diversity, significant genetic structure, apparent inbreeding, low gene flow, and experienced bottleneck events in ancient populations.
GLOBAL ECOLOGY AND CONSERVATION
(2021)
Article
Biodiversity Conservation
Jinqiang Quan, Yongqing Li, Yonghui Yang, Tianliang Yang, Yuzhu Sha, Yuan Cai, Ting Jiao, Jianping Wu, Shengguo Zhao
Summary: The study analyzed the mtDNA D-loop sequences of 1163 Chinese indigenous cattle to determine their maternal origin and population genetic structure, prioritizing conservation evaluations based on a population genetic model. Three maternal origins or domestication events were identified among Chinese indigenous cattle, with various levels of genetic diversity and contributions to the richness of genetic resources. The research provides a scientific basis and effective evaluation methods for the protection of genetic resources of indigenous livestock varieties.
GLOBAL ECOLOGY AND CONSERVATION
(2021)
Review
Agriculture, Dairy & Animal Science
Tassew Mohammed Ali
Summary: This review analyzes the erosion of genetic diversity in Ethiopia's local chicken gene pool and suggests sustainable approaches for conservation and improvement. Indigenous chickens have excellent adaptive traits and high variability in performance, but their genetic diversity has been seriously threatened in the past six decades. Community-based selective breeding and improved chicken management may be the primary strategies for preserving and improving the local chickens.
WORLDS POULTRY SCIENCE JOURNAL
(2023)
Review
Agriculture, Dairy & Animal Science
Aletta Matshidiso Magoro, Bohani Mtileni, Khanyisile Hadebe, Avhashoni Zwane
Summary: This review focuses on the genetic diversity, conservation, and sustainable utilization of indigenous goat ecotypes in South Africa. The indigenous goats are valuable animal resources, as they can thrive in resource-limited production systems and challenging environmental conditions. However, there are gaps in the current knowledge, necessitating further research using genomics technologies to assess their genetic diversity and inform conservation strategies.
Review
Environmental Sciences
Jessica Lukawiecki, Jeffrey Wall, Rachel Young, Jared Gonet, Ghanimat Azhdari, Faisal Moola
Summary: The term 'biocultural' emphasizes the interconnected nature of life and human culture, and has been widely used in research on biological and cultural diversity conservation over the past few decades. It is most commonly applied in the realms of biocultural diversity, biocultural heritage, and biocultural approaches. However, the theory remains largely conceptual and there is a limited number of on-the-ground case studies.
ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE & POLICY
(2022)
Article
Evolutionary Biology
Jason G. Bragg, Jia-Yee S. Yap, Trevor Wilson, Enhua Lee, Maurizio Rossetto
Summary: This study investigates approaches for conserving genetic diversity in endangered plant populations. By analyzing SNP genotype data from two species, the researchers examined the impact of ex situ collections on genetic diversity preservation. The findings suggest that populations with optimized genetic diversity capture more alleles, highlighting the importance of careful selection in conservation efforts.
EVOLUTIONARY APPLICATIONS
(2021)
Article
Biodiversity Conservation
Qianqian Yin, Zhuo Ren, Xinyue Wen, Beibei Liu, Dazhao Song, Kai Zhang, Hailong Dou
Summary: Leopard populations on the Chinese Loess Plateau have experienced declines and are mainly scattered in fragmented habitats. Genetic analysis of faecal samples revealed moderate mitochondrial diversity and high microsatellite diversity. The Yellow River acts as a barrier, resulting in a distinct population boundary. The time of population divergence was estimated to be between 8700 and 8300 years BP. Based on these findings, it is recommended to divide the leopard population on both sides of the Yellow River into two conservation management units.
GLOBAL ECOLOGY AND CONSERVATION
(2023)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Lisa Lehnen, Pierre-Loup Jan, Anne-Laure Besnard, Damien Fourcy, Gerald Kerth, Martin Biedermann, Pierrette Nyssen, Wigbert Schorcht, Eric J. Petit, Sebastien J. Puechmaille
Summary: Genetic diversity within species is essential for population and ecosystem persistence and integrity, influenced significantly by factors such as population size and connectivity. This study highlights the importance of historic bottlenecks, contemporary colony size, and connectivity in shaping genetic diversity, with contemporary connectivity having the most profound impact at a large geographic scale. Understanding the relative importance of these factors over time is crucial for effective conservation planning.
