Sydney plays crucial role in monitoring global genetic diversity
Associate Professor Catherine Grueber was a co-author of the study.
Australian scientists have contributed to a global study into how to monitor genetic diversity, a vital measure to check the viability of species and their ecosystems.
The research methodology, published in Ecology Letters, will allow scientists to monitor genetic variation across species and at a global scale.
Co-author of the study, Associate Professor Catherine Grueber from the School of Life and Environmental Sciences, said: “Being able to effectively measure and monitor genetic diversity over time means that species’ genetic health can be tracked and, with the right actions, losses prevented. In Australia, genetic data are helping inform current and future management of the numbat and other threatened species.”
In December 2022, 196 countries signed an historic agreement – the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework – committing countries around the world to halt biodiversity loss by 2030.
The agreement included a commitment to conserve genetic diversity and monitor its status for all species, not only those of economic value.
This commitment, however, brought about scientific challenges, namely how to monitor genetic diversity at scale and how to do so in a way that is affordable for countries of different economic status.
Associate Professor Grueber and Dr Rebecca Jordan, from CSIRO, co-led the Australian part of the global study. Associate Professor Tanya Latty from the School of Life and Environmental Sciences and Dr Glenn Shea from the Sydney School of Veterinary Science were also part of the research team.
Their research showed that it is feasible to calculate genetic diversity for the purposes of global reporting and provided an example methodology for how to do it.
Associate Professor Grueber said: “Australia is well-known for its incredibly rich biodiversity and as a home for species that are unlike any others in the world. But the devastating bushfires in 2019 and 2020 highlighted the threats faced to our precious biodiversity.
“This global paper helps us learn from others and shows us how we can protect the unique species found around the world. By preserving the genetic diversity of Australian species, it will help our environment thrive for generations.”
The research was led by Dr Alicia Mastretta-Yanes, from the Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, and Dr Jessica da Silva, from the South African National Biodiversity Institute.
The study tested two genetic indicators for more than 900 species, representing 5271 populations, and included reptiles, birds, mammals, fish, invertebrates, plants and fungi.
Dr Rebecca Jordan, CSIRO
The research involved nine countries with varying economic status and biodiversity richness: Australia, Belgium, Colombia, France, Japan, Mexico, South Africa, Sweden and the United States.
By collaborating internationally, the team was able to test methodologies across many species in multiple ecosystems and countries, providing information on how feasible these indicators would be internationally.
Most species assessed in the study have retained most of their populations. However, 58 per cent have populations too small to sustain genetic diversity.
Dr Jordan from CSIRO said: “Where populations of species aren’t large enough, genetic diversity may decrease over time. This increases the risk that those populations won’t be able to adapt and may be lost in the future.
“Our planet’s health, that we are so reliant on, is dependent on the health of species across the globe. We need to support all species to survive and thrive in a changing world.”
Declaration
The research was funded by the US Geological Survey, the Swedish Environmental Protection Agency, the Swedish Research Council, the Consejo Nacional de Humanidades and the French National Research Agency (ANR). Associate Professor Grueber is supported by the University of Sydney Robinson Fellowship.