File(s) under permanent embargo
Evolving coral reef conservation with genetic information
journal contribution
posted on 2014-01-01, 00:00 authored by M Beger, K A Selkoe, Eric TremlEric Treml, P H Barber, S Von Der Heyden, E D Crandall, R J Toonen, C RiginosTargeted conservation and management programs are crucial for mitigating anthropogenic threats to declining biodiversity. Although evolutionary processes underpin extant patterns of biodiversity, it is uncommon for resource managers to explicitly consider genetic data in conservation prioritization. Genetic information is inherently relevant to management because it describes genetic diversity, population connectedness, and evolutionary history; thereby typifying their behavioral traits, physiological climate tolerance, evolutionary potential, and dispersal ability. Incorporating genetic information into spatial conservation prioritization starts with reconciling the terminology and techniques used in genetics and conservation science. Genetic data vary widely in analyses and their interpretations can be challenging even for experienced geneticists. Therefore, identifying objectives, decision rules, and implementations in decision support tools specifically for management using genetic data is challenging. Here, we outline a framework for eight genetic system characteristics, their measurement, and how they could be incorporated in spatial conservation prioritization for two contrasting objectives: biodiversity preservation vs maintaining ecological function and sustainable use. We illustrate this framework with an example using data from Tridacna crocea (Lamarck, 1819) (boring giant clam) in the Coral Triangle. We find that many reefs highlighted as conservation priorities with genetic data based on genetic subregions, genetic diversity, genetic distinctness, and connectivity are not prioritized using standard practices. Moreover, different characteristics calculated from the same samples resulted in different spatial conservation priorities. Our results highlight that omitting genetic information from conservation decisions may fail to adequately represent processes regulating biodiversity, but that conservation objectives related to the choice of genetic system characteristics require careful consideration.
History
Journal
Bulletin of marine scienceVolume
90Issue
1Pagination
159 - 185Publisher
Rosenstiel School of Marine and Atmospheric Science, University of MiamiLocation
Miami, Fla.Publisher DOI
ISSN
0007-4977eISSN
1553-6955Language
engPublication classification
C Journal article; C1.1 Refereed article in a scholarly journalCopyright notice
2014, Rosenstiel School of Marine & Atmospheric Science of the University of MiamiUsage metrics
Categories
Keywords
Science & TechnologyLife Sciences & BiomedicinePhysical SciencesMarine & Freshwater BiologyOceanographyGREAT-BARRIER-REEFEFFECTIVE POPULATION-SIZEBORING GIANT CLAMENVIRONMENTAL-FACTORSRESERVE NETWORKSCLIMATE-CHANGECOMPARATIVE PHYLOGEOGRAPHYBIODIVERSITY CONSERVATIONEVOLUTIONARY PROCESSESEMPIRICAL-EVALUATIONEcology
Licence
Exports
RefWorks
BibTeX
Ref. manager
Endnote
DataCite
NLM
DC