A new open-source framework helps conservationists assess the representation of genetic diversity in seed banks, aiding in the protection of plant species facing extinction. This is crucial for preserving ecosystems and ensuring the resilience of our food systems.
As climate change and habitat loss accelerate, many plant species are at risk of extinction. Seed banks and botanic gardens play a vital role in preserving plant genetic diversity. However, less than 20% of wild plant species are adequately represented in these ex situ conservation efforts.
Marwa El Graoui, a doctoral researcher at the University Mohammed VI Polytechnic (UM6P) in Morocco, developed a framework to address this issue. Her method uses publicly available data, geospatial modeling, and user-friendly software to assess the representation of genetic diversity in seed banks. This allows researchers to prioritize species needing urgent conservation.
El Graoui's work focuses on the genus Vigna, but the approach can be applied to any plant group. The framework uses geographic and environmental distances between samples as proxies for genetic differentiation, especially when direct genomic data are unavailable. This approach is based on the theory of isolation by distance, where populations farther apart tend to diverge genetically.
To accurately define a species' range, El Graoui and her co-author developed an "adjusted range" method. This method combines inclusion buffers to capture documented occurrence zones and exclusion buffers to remove implausible areas predicted by species distribution models (SDMs). The team also addressed data inaccuracies in ex situ collection records, which significantly impacted conservation assessments.
The entire workflow is packaged into an open-source R library, making it accessible to researchers worldwide. Users can input occurrence coordinates and climate variables to generate a conservation score for each species. This open-source approach aligns with UM6P's vision of using digital tools and African data to address global challenges.
This innovative framework provides a practical tool for enhancing the representation of genetic diversity in seed banks. It offers a scalable and accessible solution to the pressing issue of plant conservation, benefiting both ecosystems and human society. By improving the representation of genetic diversity, we can better protect plant species and ensure the resilience of our food systems for future generations.