Download “Evolution and Biodiversity: The evolutionary basis of biodiversity

Contribution to the EPBRS e-conference March 2010
Title: Preserving ongoing evolutionary processes
Andreas Tribsch, Sabine Hille, Matthias Kropf, Günter Gollman, Steven Weiss and Stefan
Schindler
Austrian Platform for Biodiversity Research (BDFA), Austria
“The evolutionary basis of biodiversity - strategies to manage and preserve evolutionary
processes, and their likely impact on biodiversity”
As outcome of a national expert workshop on the three topics of the e-conference held at
the 2nd annual meeting of the Austrian Platform for Biodiversity Research (BDFA), we
present herewith the summary regarding the first topic “The evolutionary basis of
biodiversity: strategies to manage and preserve evolutionary processes, and their likely
impact on biodiversity”.
Evolutionary responses include changes in the geographical distribution of populations
and species. Such changes and resulting evolutionary processes are often related to socalled refugia, i.e. areas, where populations are able to survive climatic instabilities and
unfavourable conditions in situ. Refugia hosting reservoir populations are often located in
mountain areas resulting in high levels of biodiversity (e.g., endemism and high level of
genetic diversity). To get a better insight into these topics, we recommend:
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Studies of natural populations of all groups of organisms
Identifying evolutionary significant units (not necessarily species) including
phylogeographical methods
Studying the evolutionary potential of refugial populations by analysing
genetic variation and distribution modelling under different climate change
scenarios
Research focus on endemic and IUCN listed species that are often located in
refugia, which will result in data for targeted conservation efforts regarding
these species
The knowledge of the genetic diversity of populations is crucial for understanding
adaptive capacities of organisms to changing environments. The mechanisms to
understand how fast and effective organisms could deal with it by adaptation and selection
is still poorly understood. Especially epigenetic changes in natural (!) populations that
result in different evolutionary potentials are unknown. Therefore, we recommend:
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Studies of natural populations (e.g., along environmental gradients) by
assessing present genetic variation in order to find biodiversity indicators
representing future adaptive potential.
Identifying epigenetic mechanisms as a potential for adaptation
Phylogeographical studies have shown that genetic diversity is often unevenly distributed
over a species’ geographical distribution. Conservation priorities, however, are usually
based on ecosystem and/or species diversity. Given that intraspecific genetic diversity is
most relevant for evolution, conservation strategies should also include measures of
genetic diversity. Thus, we recommend:
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The integration of genetic variation in conservation measures (as the IUCN
demands) and monitoring of populations of target species.
The use of data on genetic diversity of multiple species for the systematic
design of conservation areas and the comparison of the resulting
conservation networks with the currently existing ones.
The understanding of evolutionary mechanisms which does also include historical
changes like environmental change is important for understanding biodiversity and the
evolutionary potential of species. Training in these research areas, especially in
identifying wild plants and animals, however, has often been cut down in universities.
Thus, it must be guaranteed to:
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Provide the educational basis in evolutionary biology and biodiversity
(organismal biology) by promoting teaching of these subjects in, but also
outside universities.