Bridging the conservation genetics gap by identifying barriers to implementation for conservation practitioners

By H. Taylor, N. Dussex, Y. Heezik. 2017

159 citations recorded by the source corpus.

Abstract Despite its recognised importance for species’ persistence, integrating genetics into conservation management has proved problematic, creating a “conservation genetics gap”, which could widen with the advent of advanced genomic techniques. Bridging this gap requires a clear understanding of the barriers to use of genetics by conservation practitioners, but few (if any) papers on this topic involve direct consultation with practitioners themselves. We surveyed 148 conservation practitioners in New Zealand’s Department of Conservation regarding their attitude to, knowledge of, and experiences with genetics for conservation. Although practitioners were largely receptive to using genetics for conservation management, access to expertise and funding remains a barrier to use. Practitioners would like to collaborate with geneticists at universities or other institutes, but do not necessarily know who to talk to or fully understand how genetics might benefit them. We contend these barriers or similar likely exist at an international level, suggest ways they might be overcome, and emphasise the need for clearer communication between geneticists and practitioners.

Subfields: Ecological Modeling, Ecology, Management, Monitoring, Policy and Law

View Paper: https://www.semanticscholar.org/paper/f11c2fdd934af3455551653d5b2dedd2903b5684

How researchers see this paper

The researchers whose trusted networks rank it highest, strongest advocate first. Every researcher gets a different order.

In Ecological Modeling

1. M. Byrne
2. D. Coates
3. C. Moritz
4. Andrew Lowe
5. J. Scoble
6. Jane Elith
7. Catherine H. Graham

In Ecology

1. D. Coates
2. M. Byrne
3. C. Moritz

Citations in the corpus

• Genetic Diversity and Conservation Units: Dealing With the Species-Population Continuum in the Age of Genomics (2018, background): “This more limited focus on intra-species level genetic variation suggests that while conservation managers increasingly recognize the value of explicitly considering genetic information in management actions and prioritization, they often lack actionable information from biodiversity scientists (Wap”
• Genetic diversity is considered important but interpreted narrowly in country reports to the Convention on Biological Diversity: Current actions and indicators are insufficient (2021, unknown): “…means conclusive, that this increase may be attributable to increasing awareness and affordability of genetic approaches and knowledge of genetic diversity, and to numerous calls for consideration of genetics in biodiversity policy (Pierson et al., 2016; Shafer et al., 2015; Taylor et al., 2017).”