Vasemägi, Anti
- Department of Aquatic Resources (SLU Aqua), Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences
- Estonian University of Life Sciences
Review article2023Peer reviewedOpen access
How genomics can help biodiversity conservation
Theissinger, Kathrin; Fernandes, Carlos; Formenti, Giulio; Bista, Iliana; Berg, Paul R.; Bleidorn, Christoph; Bombarely, Aureliano; Crottini, Angelica; Gallo, Guido R.; Godoy, Jose A.; Jentoft, Sissel; Malukiewicz, Joanna; Mouton, Alice; Oomen, Rebekah A.; Paez, Sadye; Palsboll, Per J.; Pampoulie, Christophe; Ruiz-Lopez, Maria J.; Secomandi, Simona; Svardal, Hannes;
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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
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