Integrating genetics into conservation
Lead Research Organisation:
Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh
Department Name: Genetics and Conservation
Abstract
Conservation organisations are concerned with the protection of natural habitats and species, for their intrinsic value, the services they provide humanity and for their amenity value. Under international and local statutes, conservation organisations are obliged to prevent wild habitats from becoming degraded and halt or reverse the decline of species of conservation concern. This job is increasingly difficult given the extent of degradation and fragmentation of habitats and the threat of global changes, such as climate change. Until now, conservationists have been mainly concerned with habitats and species, and have neglected to consider a third strand of biodiversity called 'genetic diversity'. Genetic diversity can be found in all species. It is variation among individuals in DNA sequences that cause differences in their physical attributes, and is responsible for the familial resemblance among relatives. Genetic diversity is relevant to conservation in a number of ways. Firstly, many populations of endangered species are isolated and consist of small numbers of individuals. These populations often have little genetic variation, and this can hamper their ability to adapt to changing environmental conditions through natural selection. Adaptation is key to success in conservation, because without it, species will be prone to extinction under environmental changes such as climate change. Secondly, small or isolated populations often consist of closely related individuals, and mating among these close-relatives can lead to inbred offspring that suffer immediate health problems. This can act as an additional burden on endangered species, making their populations more difficult to conserve. Thirdly, similar problems can occur due to inter-mating between very divergent populations. This may occur if human-aided movement of species brings previously separated populations into contact. Although these types of genetic problems are relatively well understood, there is no generic framework for assessing which species are at risk of which genetic problems, or decision-making tools to guide management actions. In addition, conservationists may be disinclined to incorporate these genetics problems into their action plans, because jargon and terminology in genetics can make the field inaccessible to conservationists without a genetics background. Our aim in this project is to enhance dialogue and the exchange of knowledge between researchers interested in genetic biodiversity, and wildlife conservationists. In doing this we will facilitate improved strategies to conserve species and enable the best use of genetic data in conservation programmes. Firstly we will develop a working group consisting of geneticists and conservationists to provide a forum for the exchange of ideas, ensuring that geneticists are aware of the key conservation challenges, and conservationists are aware of when genetic information is likely to be useful. Secondly, we will evaluate previously published genetic information to fill gaps in understanding, and to determine when genetic problems are most likely. Thirdly we will develop a mechanism to assess the risk of genetic problems faced by any individual species, and link this to a framework recommending the best course to alleviate these problems. We will then test and refine this approach using species of conservation importance in the UK. Our fourth objective will provide standard protocols for choosing the sources of individuals for human-aided movement of plants or animals from one place to another. We will develop a system for recording the success and failure of these translocations to better inform future guidelines. Finally, our key goal is to make all of this information accessible. We will produce user-friendly handbooks aimed at explaining genetic issues in conservation, and will produce web-pages to assist conservation managers develop management strategies that incorporate genetic approaches.
Organisations
- Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh (Lead Research Organisation)
- IUCN, International Union for Conservation of Nature (Collaboration)
- NatureScot (Collaboration)
- Natural Resources Wales (Project Partner)
- NatureScot (Scottish Natural Heritage) (Project Partner)
- Woodland Trust (Project Partner)
- Game & Wildlife Conservation Trust (Project Partner)
- Natural England (Project Partner)
People |
ORCID iD |
Peter Hollingsworth (Principal Investigator) |
Publications
Neaves L
(2015)
The fitness consequences of inbreeding in natural populations and their implications for species conservation - a systematic map
in Environmental Evidence
Mimura M
(2017)
Understanding and monitoring the consequences of human impacts on intraspecific variation.
in Evolutionary applications
Peter Hollingsworth
(2015)
New International and National Guidelines for Conservation Translocations
in In Practice
Stanley-Price M
(2013)
Guidelines for Reintroductions and Other Conservation Translocations
Linda Neaves
(2015)
Implications of climate change for genetic diversity and evolvability in the UK
Description | The grant was a knowledge exchange grant aimed at integrating genetic information into conservation programmes. This involved the production of systematic reviews of the evidence base, a decision making framework, and some practical guidelines for conservation translocations |
Exploitation Route | The primary evidence of use from this KE grant has been in the development of national and international guidelines for conservation translocations |
Sectors | Environment |
Description | Advice to conservation managers on how to integrate genetic thinking into conservation management The development of the IUCN guidelines for Reintroductions and Other Conservation Translocations The production of a Scottish Code for Conservation Translocations |
First Year Of Impact | 2013 |
Sector | Environment |
Impact Types | Societal |
Description | Climate Change Report Card |
Geographic Reach | National |
Policy Influence Type | Participation in a guidance/advisory committee |
URL | http://www.nerc.ac.uk/research/partnerships/lwec/products/report-cards/biodiversity/ |
Description | IUCN Reintroduction Guidelines |
Geographic Reach | Multiple continents/international |
Policy Influence Type | Citation in other policy documents |
Description | Scottish Code for Conservation Translocations |
Geographic Reach | National |
Policy Influence Type | Participation in a guidance/advisory committee |
Impact | The Scottish Translocation Code has been formally adopted by 26 organisations from the Land-use, Science and Conservation Sectors in Scotland. The Code was launched by Paul Wheelhouse MSP (Minister for the Environment and Climate Change). The Code is non-statutory in nature, but as it is aligned with the SNH licensing process for translocations is serves to guide decision making on licence applications (and hence has a statutory outcome) |
Description | Sharing Best Practice Event |
Geographic Reach | National |
Policy Influence Type | Influenced training of practitioners or researchers |
Impact | Best practice event attended by 70 people, sharing information from the Scottish Code for Conservation Translocations with practitioners. The day was focused on this output, and guided practitioners through the translocation process, sharing advice and examples of what worked and what didn't work. |
Description | CKEI Think Tank Funding |
Amount | £65,048 (GBP) |
Organisation | Government of Scotland |
Department | Scottish Government Rural and Environment Science and Analytical Services Division (RESAS) |
Sector | Public |
Country | United Kingdom |
Start | 01/2017 |
End | 03/2017 |
Description | Leverhulme Standard Grant |
Amount | £253,608 (GBP) |
Funding ID | RPG-2015-273 |
Organisation | The Leverhulme Trust |
Sector | Charity/Non Profit |
Country | United Kingdom |
Start | 03/2016 |
End | 03/2019 |
Description | IUCN Reintroduction Specialist Task Force |
Organisation | IUCN, International Union for Conservation of Nature |
Country | Switzerland |
Sector | Charity/Non Profit |
PI Contribution | Specialist genetics input and more general editorial input to the production of the new IUCN Guidelines for Reintroductions and Other Conservation Translocations |
Collaborator Contribution | Discussions, text and editorial input to collectively produce the guidelines |
Impact | Widely adopted in national conservation programmes. The new IUCN guidelines represent the international standard. They were used as the basis for the Council of Europe's recommendation on 'Conservation Translocations under Changing Climatic Conditions', which is now a formal policy for the 50 signatory governments to the Bern Convention on the Conservation of European Wildlife and Natural Habitats. |
Start Year | 2012 |
Description | Scottish Code for Conservation Translocations |
Organisation | NatureScot |
Country | United Kingdom |
Sector | Public |
PI Contribution | Lead author role in drafting the Scottish Code for Conservation Translocations and associated best practice guidlines |
Collaborator Contribution | SNH coordinates the National Species Reintroduction Forum - under whose auspices this code and guidelines were produced |
Impact | The production fo the Scottish Code for Conservation Translocations, launched by Paul Wheelhouse MSP - Minister for Environment and Climate Change in July 2014. This code determines translocation policy in Scotland. Where translocations require a licence, the code is aligned to the legislative process to guide statutory implemenetation |
Start Year | 2012 |
Description | Genetics and Conservation |
Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | International |
Primary Audience | Other academic audiences (collaborators, peers etc.) |
Results and Impact | Talk sparked questions Triggered further discussion about collaborations |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2014 |
Description | Genetics, biodiversity and conservation |
Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | Regional |
Primary Audience | Other academic audiences (collaborators, peers etc.) |
Results and Impact | Invited presentation for the Botanical Society of Scotland 'William Wright Smith Lecture' General interest from audience |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2013 |
Description | Presentation on the Scottish Code for Conservation Translocations |
Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | National |
Primary Audience | Professional Practitioners |
Results and Impact | Talk promoted discussion and questions Direct requests for further advice on translocations |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2014 |
Description | Using genetics to study plant biodiversity |
Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | National |
Primary Audience | Public/other audiences |
Results and Impact | Invited presentation at the Chelsea Physic Garden, London, UK General interest expressed in topic of genetics in conservation by audience members |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2012 |