Journal article
Contribution of genetics to ecological restoration
Molecular Ecology, Vol.24(1), pp.22-37
2015
Abstract
Ecological restoration of degraded ecosystems has emerged as a critical tool in the fight to reverse and ameliorate the current loss of biodiversity and ecosystem services. Approaches derived from different genetic disciplines are extending the theoretical and applied frameworks on which ecological restoration is based. We performed a search of scientific articles and identified 127 articles that employed a genetic approach within a restoration context to shed light on the links between genetics and restoration. These articles were then classified on whether they examined association between genetics and fitness or the application of genetics in demographic studies, and on the way the studies informed restoration practice. Although genetic research in restoration is rapidly growing, we found that studies could make better use of the extensive toolbox developed by applied fields in genetics. Overall, 41% of reviewed studies used genetic information to evaluate or monitor restoration and 59% provided genetic information to guide pre-restoration decision-making processes. Reviewed studies suggest that restoration practitioners often overlook the importance of including genetic aspects within their restoration goals. Even though there is a genetic basis influencing the provision of ecosystem services, few studies explored this relationship. We provide a view of research gaps, future directions and challenges in the genetics of restoration.
Details
- Title
- Contribution of genetics to ecological restoration
- Authors/Creators
- J.L. Mijangos (Author/Creator)C. Pacioni (Author/Creator)P.B.S. Spencer (Author/Creator)M.D Craig (Author/Creator)
- Publication Details
- Molecular Ecology, Vol.24(1), pp.22-37
- Publisher
- Blackwell Publishing
- Identifiers
- 991005540632707891
- Copyright
- © 2014 John Wiley & Sons Ltd
- Murdoch Affiliation
- School of Veterinary and Life Sciences
- Language
- English
- Resource Type
- Journal article
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InCites Highlights
These are selected metrics from InCites Benchmarking & Analytics tool, related to this output
- Collaboration types
- Domestic collaboration
- Citation topics
- 3 Agriculture, Environment & Ecology
- 3.64 Phylogenetics & Genomics
- 3.64.71 Genetic Diversity
- Web Of Science research areas
- Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
- Ecology
- Evolutionary Biology
- ESI research areas
- Environment/Ecology