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Global Commitments to Conserving and Monitoring Genetic Diversity Are Now Necessary and Feasible.

ABSTRACT: Global conservation policy and action have largely neglected protecting and monitoring genetic diversity-one of the three main pillars of biodiversity. Genetic diversity (diversity within species) underlies species' adaptation and survival, ecosystem resilience, and societal innovation. The low priority given to genetic diversity has largely been due to knowledge gaps in key areas, including the importance of genetic diversity and the trends in genetic diversity change; the perceived high expense and low availability and the scattered nature of genetic data; and complicated concepts and information that are inaccessible to policymakers. However, numerous recent advances in knowledge, technology, databases, practice, and capacity have now set the stage for better integration of genetic diversity in policy instruments and conservation efforts. We review these developments and explore how they can support improved consideration of genetic diversity in global conservation policy commitments and enable countries to monitor, report on, and take action to maintain or restore genetic diversity.

SUBMITTER: Hoban S

PROVIDER: S-EPMC8407967 | biostudies-literature | 2021 Sep

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature

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Global Commitments to Conserving and Monitoring Genetic Diversity Are Now Necessary and Feasible.

Hoban Sean S Bruford Michael W MW Funk W Chris WC Galbusera Peter P Griffith M Patrick MP Grueber Catherine E CE Heuertz Myriam M Hunter Margaret E ME Hvilsom Christina C Stroil Belma Kalamujic BK Kershaw Francine F Khoury Colin K CK Laikre Linda L Lopes-Fernandes Margarida M MacDonald Anna J AJ Mergeay Joachim J Meek Mariah M Mittan Cinnamon C Mukassabi Tarek A TA O'Brien David D Ogden Rob R Palma-Silva Clarisse C Ramakrishnan Uma U Segelbacher Gernot G Shaw Robyn E RE Sjögren-Gulve Per P Veličković Nevena N Vernesi Cristiano C

Bioscience 20210526 9

Global conservation policy and action have largely neglected protecting and monitoring genetic diversity-one of the three main pillars of biodiversity. Genetic diversity (diversity within species) underlies species' adaptation and survival, ecosystem resilience, and societal innovation. The low priority given to genetic diversity has largely been due to knowledge gaps in key areas, including the importance of genetic diversity and the trends in genetic diversity change; the perceived high expens ...[more]

PMID: 34475806

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Dataset Information

Global Commitments to Conserving and Monitoring Genetic Diversity Are Now Necessary and Feasible.

Publications

Global Commitments to Conserving and Monitoring Genetic Diversity Are Now Necessary and Feasible.

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