Biodiversity Genomics Research Practices Require Harmonising to Meet Stakeholder Needs in Conservation

Area of Science:

• Conservation Genomics
• Biodiversity
• Population Genetics

Background:

• Biodiversity resilience is intrinsically linked to genetic diversity, which fuels evolutionary potential in changing environments.
• Genomics offers powerful tools for assessing genetic diversity across species and populations, yet its application in conservation is hindered by inconsistent methodologies.

Purpose of the Study:

• To advocate for standardized approaches in genomic data production and analysis for biodiversity conservation.
• To extend the European Reference Genome Atlas (ERGA) community's efforts in standardization to downstream genomic analyses.
• To foster the development of harmonized methods for measuring and reporting genetic diversity using genomic data.

Main Methods:

• Reviewing and building upon existing standardization efforts within the European Reference Genome Atlas (ERGA) community.
• Identifying key opportunities and challenges in applying genomic data to biodiversity conservation.
• Conducting preliminary stakeholder mapping and examining case studies to inform framework development.

Main Results:

• A consensus on best practices for genome-wide data generation and application is essential for enhancing accuracy, interpretability, and comparability of genetic diversity metrics.
• Standardization will improve stakeholder capacity and confidence in using genomics for conservation.

Conclusions:

• An inclusive framework for best practices in applied biodiversity genomics is needed to ensure widespread adoption and meet stakeholder needs.
• Collaboration with the broader research community and end-users is vital for integrating genomic data into biodiversity conservation toolkits.