Abstract

The availability of public genomic resources can greatly assist biodiversity assessment, conservation, and restoration efforts by providing evidence for scientifically informed management decisions. Here we survey the main approaches and applications in biodiversity and conservation genomics, considering practical factors, such as cost, time, prerequisite skills, and current shortcomings of applications. Most approaches perform best in combination with reference genomes from the target species or closely related species. We review case studies to illustrate how reference genomes can facilitate biodiversity research and conservation across the tree of life. We conclude that the time is ripe to view reference genomes as fundamental resources and to integrate their use as a best practice in conservation genomics.

Keywords

Anthropocene; biodiversity genomics; genomic toolbox; reference genomes; conservation applications; European Reference Genome Atlas (ERGA)

Published in

Trends in Genetics
2023, Volume: 39, number: 7, pages: 545-559

SLU Authors

• Vasemägi, Anti

  • Department of Aquatic Resources (SLU Aqua), Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences
    
  • Estonian University of Life Sciences

UKÄ Subject classification

Genetics
Ecology


Publication identifier

DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.tig.2023.01.005

Permanent link to this page (URI)

https://res.slu.se/id/publ/123797