Genetic diversity can now be monitored worldwide

Genetic diversity - variation in the DNA code among individuals of the same species- helps species and ecosystems to adapt and survive. Whether it’s corals in warmer water, plants exposed to rising oceans, or birds experiencing new diseases, genetic diversity is the biological characteristic that may hold the solution to these challenges. But are we saving enough genetic diversity? 

In December 2022, 196 countries signed an agreement, the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework (GBF), to halt biodiversity loss by 2030.  Among the commitments was an unprecedented milestone: conserving genetic diversity and monitoring and reporting its status for all species, not just those of socio-economic and cultural value. This significant advancement aims to protect the very foundation of biodiversity, but it brings new challenges: Can we do it? Can we monitor genetic diversity at scale, affordably, and everywhere, considering that genetic studies are expensive, require advanced labs, and sufficient personnel?

An international team of 49 researchers has been working to answer this question.  Their results are now published in the journal Ecology Letters: and the answer is a clear “Yes we can.” It is feasible and indispensable to estimate and monitor genetic diversity at both national and global levels. The way to do it is by using either genetic or ecological survey data that can come from scientific studies, citizen science or local community knowledge.

The research was led by Alicia Mastretta-Yanes, from the National University of Mexico, and Jessica da Silva, from the South African National Biodiversity Institute. It also involved teams of researchers and conservation practitioners from academia, government institutions, and non-governmental organizations. In total, nine countries from all continents were involved, varying in economic status and biodiversity richness: Australia, Belgium, Colombia, France, Japan, Mexico, South Africa, Sweden, and the United States. Together, the researchers undertook the first attempt to assess genetic diversity at a country level using rapid, affordable and inclusive metrics. 

The study demonstrated that it is feasible to monitor genetic diversity by applying two genetic diversity indicators that were adopted in the GBF, one as headline A.4 (mandatory to report on) and another as a complementary indicator (optional). The headline indicator monitors if populations are large enough to sustain genetic diversity, and the complementary indicator monitors if populations (and thus the genetic diversity within them) are maintained. Interestingly, by focusing on population size and the existence of populations, these indicators provide a “shortcut” to DNA-based monitoring. This means that they do not necessarily require DNA laboratories and equipment but rather use available survey data. This makes them accessible to a wide range of countries with varying resources.

In total the authors analyzed genetic indicators for 919 species, representing more than 5271 populations. Encouragingly, 83% of species had data for at least one of the indicators, the indicators are affordable and feasible with existing data and require limited time, and they were applicable and comparable across countries, taxonomic groups, and ecosystems.

However, the indicators show many populations are at a threshold of dramatic genetic diversity decline unless action is taken. While the majority of analyzed species had maintained most of their populations, 58% of them have populations that are too small to sustain genetic diversity. Furthermore, the results indicate that the commonly used conservation assessment tool, the IUCN Red List, does not adequately represent genetic status, highlighting the critical importance of monitoring genetic diversity as well.

Five megadiverse (top in biological richness) countries were represented in the study  (Australia, Colombia, Mexico, South Africa, and the USA), three of which are also developing economies (Colombia, Mexico, and South Africa). By co-developing shared guidelines and methods useful to the different conditions of their countries, the authors demonstrated that the indicators can be estimated using diverse data sources, species, regardless of  the differing socio-economic contexts of countries. This experience can serve as a reference, enabling countries to use data that is the most relevant and accessible to them. 

By monitoring genetic diversity with the indicators adopted at the GBF, nations can respond to the urgent need of tracking and conservation of  the genetic diversity of their biodiversity. This will also contribute significantly to the global effort to monitor and preserve our planet’s nature and its capacity to adapt to climate change.

The research, entitled Multinational evaluation of genetic diversity indicators for the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework was published on the 2nd of July 2024 in the journal Ecology Letters (https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/ele.14461).

You can also learn more about how countries can include genetic diversity in National Biodiversity Strategy and Action Plans (NBSAPs) here.

Image credits (left to right, top to bottom): Capensibufo rosei (image credit: J. Shelton), Alouatta palliata (image credit: M. Sicilia), Berberis alpina (image credit: A. Mastretta-Yanes), Planorbella magnifica (image credit: USFWS), Drymarchon corais couperi (image credit: P. Pattavina), Gossypium hirsutum (image credit: A Wegier), Fagus sylvatica (image credit: A. Porté), Euphydryas anicia cloudcrofti (image credit: J. Alleman), Etheostoma osburni (image credit: R. Hagerty), Pinus albicaulis (image credit: R. Sniezko)