Repairing nature with DNA technology

Genomics provides some important 'weapons' in the fight to repair ecosystems -- from authenticating seed sources to improving the detection of invasive weeds or animals, says lead researcher Dr Martin Breed from Flinders University.

Australian and US researchers have compiled a roadmap for restoration ecologists to better use genomics to help address critical aspects of reviving degraded ecosystems.

Genomics offers vital support for reversing the decline of ecosystems, yet it is often a missing tool in the restoration ecologist toolbox," researchers note in a new article inPhilosophical Transactions of the Royal Society B.

"It can help improve seed sourcing practices for revegetation under climate change," says Dr Breed.

"Genomics can tell us where we should be getting our seed from, which will have a better chance of surviving climate change impacts like more frequent and more intense heat waves.

"As well, genomics is really the only way to track the return of soil microbes that support the rest of life on earth -- the plants and animals.

“还有,基因组学可以用来屏幕for whether threatened species or undesirable species like invasive plants and animals are coming back after restoration efforts."

Greater uptake of genomics has clear potential to improve the huge task ahead -- particularly in light of the UN Decade on Ecosystem Restoration declaration that supports the Bonn Challenge to restore 350 million hectares of degraded ecosystems by 2030.

The roadmap for restoration ecologists to add genomics to their toolbox includes the need for improved communication across the restoration and genomics sector. The strategy calls for:

• LEVERAGINGcommunication across various restoration specialities,
• ADOPTIONof genomics in the sector beyond the early adopters through better awareness of genomics across the restoration sector,
• IMPROVINGaccess to the complementary skills required for genomics, such as bioinformatics and computing science, and
• FOSTERINGinterdisciplinary collaborations.

Ensuring funding for research and development of ancillary elements such as bioinformatics and computing infrastructure will support this innovative approach to ecosystem restoration.

The project was funded by the Australia Research Council (grant nos. LP190100051, LP190100484, DP180100668 and DP210101932).