Towards community-based in situ conservation strategies: a typological analysis of Borgou cattle herding systems in northeastern Benin

Epigenetic variation, and particularly DNA methylation, is involved in plasticity and responses to changes in the environment. Conservation biology studies have focused on the measurement of this variation to establish demographic parameters, diversity levels and population structure to design the appropriate conservation strategies. However, in ex situ conservation approaches, the main objective is to guarantee the characteristics of the conserved material (phenotype and epi-genetic). We review the use of the Methylation Sensitive Amplified Polymorphism (MSAP) technique to detect changes in the DNA methylation patterns of plant material conserved by the main ex situ plant conservation methods: seed banks, in vitro slow growth and cryopreservation. Comparison of DNA methylation patterns before and after conservation is a useful tool to check the fidelity of the regenerated plants, and, at the same time, may be related with other genetic variations that might appear during the conservation process (i.e., somaclonal variation). Analyses of MSAP profiles can be useful in the management of ex situ plant conservation but differs in the approach used in the in situ conservation. Likewise, an easy-to-use methodology is necessary for a rapid interpretation of data, in order to be readily implemented by conservation managers.

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Designing conservation strategies to preserve the genetic diversity of Astragalus edulis Bunge, an endangered species from western Mediterranean region

10.7287/peerj.preprints.1496v1 ◽

2015 ◽

Author(s):

Julio Peñas ◽

Sara Barrios ◽

Javier Bobo-Pinilla ◽

Juan Lorite ◽

M. Montserrat Martínez-Ortega

Keyword(s):

Genetic Diversity ◽

Iberian Peninsula ◽

Mediterranean Region ◽

In Situ Conservation ◽

Western Mediterranean ◽

Ex Situ ◽

Conservation Strategies ◽

Distribution Area ◽

Ecological Data

Astragalus edulis (Fabaceae) is an endangered annual species from western Mediterranean region that colonized SE Iberian Peninsula, NE and SW Morocco, and the easternmost Macaronesian islands (Lanzarote and Fuerteventura). Although in Spain some conservation measures have been adopted, it is still necessary to develop an appropriate management plan to preserve genetic diversity across the entire distribution area of the species. Our main objective was to use population genetics as well as ecological and phylogeographic data to select Relevant Genetic Units for Conservation (RGUCs) as the first step in designing conservation plans for A. edulis. We identified six RGUCs for in situ conservation, based on estimations of population genetic structure and probabilities of the loss of rare alleles. Additionally, further population parameters, i.e. occupation area, population size, vulnerability, legal status of the population areas, and the historical haplotype distribution, were considered in order to establish which populations deserve conservation priority. Three populations from the Iberian Peninsula, two from Morocco, and one from the Canary Islands represent the total genetic diversity of the species and the rarest allelic variation. Ex situ conservation is recommended to complement the preservation of A. edulis, given that effective in situ population protection is not feasible in all cases. The consideration of complementary phylogeographic and ecological data is useful for management efforts to preserve the evolutionary potential of the species.

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Designing conservation strategies to preserve the genetic diversity ofAstragalus edulisBunge, an endangered species from western Mediterranean region

PeerJ ◽

10.7717/peerj.1474 ◽

2016 ◽

Vol 4 ◽

pp. e1474 ◽

Cited By ~ 7

Author(s):

Julio Peñas ◽

Sara Barrios ◽

Javier Bobo-Pinilla ◽

Juan Lorite ◽

M. Montserrat Martínez-Ortega

Keyword(s):

Genetic Diversity ◽

Iberian Peninsula ◽

Mediterranean Region ◽

In Situ Conservation ◽

Western Mediterranean ◽

Ex Situ ◽

Conservation Strategies ◽

Distribution Area ◽

Ecological Data

Astragalus edulis(Fabaceae) is an endangered annual species from the western Mediterranean region that colonized the SE Iberian Peninsula, NE and SW Morocco, and the easternmost Macaronesian islands (Lanzarote and Fuerteventura). Although in Spain some conservation measures have been adopted, it is still necessary to develop an appropriate management plan to preserve genetic diversity across the entire distribution area of the species. Our main objective was to use population genetics as well as ecological and phylogeographic data to select Relevant Genetic Units for Conservation (RGUCs) as the first step in designing conservation plans forA. edulis. We identified six RGUCs for in situ conservation, based on estimations of population genetic structure and probabilities of loss of rare alleles. Additionally, further population parameters, i.e. occupation area, population size, vulnerability, legal status of the population areas, and the historical haplotype distribution, were considered in order to establish which populations deserve conservation priority. Three populations from the Iberian Peninsula, two from Morocco, and one from the Canary Islands represent the total genetic diversity of the species and the rarest allelic variation. Ex situ conservation is recommended to complement the preservation ofA. edulis, given that effective in situ population protection is not feasible in all cases. The consideration of complementary phylogeographic and ecological data is useful for management efforts to preserve the evolutionary potential of the species.

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In-Situ and Ex-Situ Biodiversity Conservation in Ecuador: A Review of Policies, Actions and Challenges

Diversity ◽

10.3390/d12080315 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 12 (8) ◽

pp. 315 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Carlos Mestanza-Ramón ◽

Sujan M. Henkanaththegedara ◽

Paola Vásconez Duchicela ◽

Yadira Vargas Tierras ◽

Maritza Sánchez Capa ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Protected Areas ◽

Biodiversity Conservation ◽

Ex Situ Conservation ◽

In Situ Conservation ◽

Well Being ◽

Ex Situ ◽

Policy Framework ◽

Conservation Strategies ◽

Small Scale

Biodiversity is vital for the stability of the planet; its ecosystem services provide essential elements for our survival and well-being. This review analyzes the national biodiversity policies and describes the main strategies for biodiversity conservation in Ecuador, one of the “mega-diverse” countries in the world with the highest species density. It deepens an analysis of in-situ and ex-situ conservation processes. Ecuador has six clear policies for biodiversity conservation. These policies strengthen biodiversity conservation through mechanisms that improve the well-being of wildlife by ensuring human, wildlife and ecosystem health. It promotes actions for the welfare of wildlife, through technical, administrative and legal tools. The National System of Protected Areas, with 60 protected areas, is the most effective in-situ conservation instrument at the country level. Several ex-situ conservation and management means for the conservation of wild species are being utilized, including nurseries, botanical gardens, zoos, germplasm banks, aquariums, species reproduction and rehabilitation centers. Ecuador is making slow progress on ex-situ conservation despite the availability of a sound policy framework, possibly due to financial, infrastructural, and/or technological challenges, and knowledge gaps. We propose fostering international research collaborations and establishing fully funded small-scale captive breeding programs at zoos, aquariums and university research facilities to help recovery of at-risk species of reptiles, amphibians, fish and species beyond Galapagos region. We recommend utilizing citizen science programs to fill the gaps of biodiversity information and increasing efforts to revive the ex-situ conservation strategies in protecting the unique biodiversity of Ecuador.

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Genetic diversity and selection signatures in maize landraces compared across 50 years of in situ and ex situ conservation

Heredity ◽

10.1038/s41437-021-00423-y ◽

2021 ◽

Author(s):

Francis Denisse McLean-Rodríguez ◽

Denise Elston Costich ◽

Tania Carolina Camacho-Villa ◽

Mario Enrico Pè ◽

Matteo Dell’Acqua

Keyword(s):

Genetic Diversity ◽

Selection Criteria ◽

Sampling Site ◽

In Situ Conservation ◽

Genetic Distances ◽

Ex Situ ◽

Conservation Strategies ◽

Genome Wide ◽

Agrobiodiversity Conservation

AbstractGenomics-based, longitudinal comparisons between ex situ and in situ agrobiodiversity conservation strategies can contribute to a better understanding of their underlying effects. However, landrace designations, ambiguous common names, and gaps in sampling information complicate the identification of matching ex situ and in situ seed lots. Here we report a 50-year longitudinal comparison of the genetic diversity of a set of 13 accessions from the state of Morelos, Mexico, conserved ex situ since 1967 and retrieved in situ from the same donor families in 2017. We interviewed farmer families who donated in situ landraces to understand their germplasm selection criteria. Samples were genotyped by sequencing, producing 74,739 SNPs. Comparing the two sample groups, we show that ex situ and in situ genome-wide diversity was similar. In situ samples had 3.1% fewer SNPs and lower pairwise genetic distances (Fst 0.008–0.113) than ex situ samples (Fst 0.031–0.128), but displayed the same heterozygosity. Despite genome-wide similarities across samples, we could identify several loci under selection when comparing in situ and ex situ seed lots, suggesting ongoing evolution in farmer fields. Eight loci in chromosomes 3, 5, 6, and 10 showed evidence of selection in situ that could be related with farmers’ selection criteria surveyed with focus groups and interviews at the sampling site in 2017, including wider kernels and larger ear size. Our results have implications for ex situ collection resampling strategies and the in situ conservation of threatened landraces.

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Importance of Plants with Extremely Small Populations (PSESPs) in Endemic-Rich Areas, Elements Often Forgotten in Conservation Strategies

Plants ◽

10.3390/plants10081504 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 10 (8) ◽

pp. 1504

Author(s):

Donatella Cogoni ◽

Giuseppe Fenu ◽

Carlo Dessì ◽

Angela Deidda ◽

Cesario Giotta ◽

...

Keyword(s):

In Situ Conservation ◽

Conservation Strategy ◽

Conservation Strategies ◽

Small Populations ◽

Species Status ◽

Field Surveys ◽

Disjunct Populations ◽

In The Wild ◽

Threatened Habitat

The distribution of the threatened fern Ophioglossum vulgatum L., a plant with extremely small populations (PSESPs) in Sardinia, is characterized by small disjunct populations with only a few individuals, and little is known about its status in the wild. To provide information for the conservation of O. vulgatum and with the aim to develop an in situ conservation strategy, we investigated its distribution, population size, and habitat. Field surveys confirmed that the species grows in only five localities. Two representative populations were selected for this study (Funtanamela and Gedili), and in each population, all plants were mapped and monitored monthly from April to August over an 8-year period. During the study, the populations had a very low number of reproductive plants and the populations appeared to be in decline, with the total number of plants per population slightly decreased in Gedili while a sharp reduction was recorded in Funtanamela due to wild boar threat. A fence was built in order to protect the site from further damage, but no noticeable signals of recovery were observed. The most urgent conservation requirement for this species is to preserve the threatened habitat of the remnant populations. Further field surveys and research are also required for an improved understanding of the species’ status.

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The genetic structure of a wild wheat population has remained associated with microhabitats over 36 years

10.1101/2022.01.10.475641 ◽

2022 ◽

Author(s):

Tal Dahan-Meir ◽

Thomas James Ellis ◽

Fabrizio Mafessoni ◽

Hanan Sela ◽

Jacob Manisterski ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Genetic Structure ◽

In Situ Conservation ◽

Temporal Stability ◽

Co2 Concentration ◽

Conservation Strategies ◽

High Genetic Diversity ◽

Wheat Population ◽

The Face ◽

Wild Progenitors

Wild progenitors of major crops can help us understand domestication, and may also provide the genetic resources needed for ensuring food security in the face of climate change. We examined the genetic structure of a wild emmer wheat population, sampled over 36 years while both temperature and CO2 concentration increased significantly. The genotypes of 832 individuals revealed high genetic diversity over scales of tens of meters and were clustered spatially into ecological microhabitats. This pattern was remarkably stable over time. Simulations indicate that neutral processes alone are unlikely to fully explain the spatial and temporal stability of the population. These results are consistent with a role for local adaptation in shaping the fine-scale structure of plant populations, which is relevant for in-situ conservation strategies of biodiversity in nature.

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Designing conservation strategies to preserve the genetic diversity of Astragalus edulis Bunge, an endangered species from western Mediterranean region

10.7287/peerj.preprints.1496 ◽

2015 ◽

Author(s):

Julio Peñas ◽

Sara Barrios ◽

Javier Bobo-Pinilla ◽

Juan Lorite ◽

M. Montserrat Martínez-Ortega

Keyword(s):

Genetic Diversity ◽

Iberian Peninsula ◽

Mediterranean Region ◽

In Situ Conservation ◽

Western Mediterranean ◽

Ex Situ ◽

Conservation Strategies ◽

Distribution Area ◽

Ecological Data

Astragalus edulis (Fabaceae) is an endangered annual species from western Mediterranean region that colonized SE Iberian Peninsula, NE and SW Morocco, and the easternmost Macaronesian islands (Lanzarote and Fuerteventura). Although in Spain some conservation measures have been adopted, it is still necessary to develop an appropriate management plan to preserve genetic diversity across the entire distribution area of the species. Our main objective was to use population genetics as well as ecological and phylogeographic data to select Relevant Genetic Units for Conservation (RGUCs) as the first step in designing conservation plans for A. edulis. We identified six RGUCs for in situ conservation, based on estimations of population genetic structure and probabilities of the loss of rare alleles. Additionally, further population parameters, i.e. occupation area, population size, vulnerability, legal status of the population areas, and the historical haplotype distribution, were considered in order to establish which populations deserve conservation priority. Three populations from the Iberian Peninsula, two from Morocco, and one from the Canary Islands represent the total genetic diversity of the species and the rarest allelic variation. Ex situ conservation is recommended to complement the preservation of A. edulis, given that effective in situ population protection is not feasible in all cases. The consideration of complementary phylogeographic and ecological data is useful for management efforts to preserve the evolutionary potential of the species.

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Ecology and conservation of a living fossil: Australia's Wollemi Pine (Wollemia nobilis)

10.32942/osf.io/3sjwx ◽

2021 ◽

Author(s):

Berin Dylan Ewing Mackenzie ◽

Steve W. Clarke ◽

Heidi C. Zimmer ◽

Edward C. Y. Liew ◽

Maureen T. Phelan ◽

...

Keyword(s):

In Situ Conservation ◽

Public Support ◽

Fire Regimes ◽

Ex Situ ◽

Conservation Strategies ◽

Term Survival ◽

Living Fossil ◽

In The Wild

The iconic Wollemi Pine (Wollemia nobilis) is a critically endangered Australian conifer and one of the world’s rarest trees with only 46 mature individuals remaining in the wild. The species is regarded as a ‘living fossil’ and was discovered on the brink of extinction following a natural historical decline. While its discovery has enabled crucial intervention for its long-term conservation, it has also created novel threats. Wollemia nobilis is facing extinction in the wild due to its highly restricted distribution, extremely small population size, and ongoing impacts from exotic pathogens, inappropriate fire regimes, unauthorised site visitation, and anthropogenic climate change. A highly successful, collaborative program combining in situ management, ecological research and monitoring with public education and ex situ conservation strategies, such as translocation and commercial cultivation, is enhancing the species’ long-term survival. The extended longevity and slow growth and maturation of wild Wollemi Pine present unique challenges to effective in situ conservation, including the multidecadal timescales required to deliver certain conservation objectives. The continued success of the conservation program depends on strong forward planning, intergenerational commitment and collaboration, and ongoing public support.

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