4.5. Minimizar la pérdida de diversidad genética en todas las especies amenazadas y conservar al menos el 95% de la diversidad genética en las especies donde ya esté agotada.
Assessing and monitoring the genetic diversity of wild species has been relatively neglected until recently. Major advances in genetic and now genomic research have significantly increased the power of molecular analyses and reduced the costs. DNA analysis relies on well-equipped laboratories and trained scientific staff. Therefore, several monitoring and reporting approaches have been developed that use proxy measures where DNA data are not available. Such proxies may include effective population size, range contraction, fragmentation, and others. The headline CBD Indicator for the genetic component of Target 4 is “the proportion of the populations of a species that have an effective population size >500”. A recent study compared five proposed methods for monitoring genetic diversity, and recommended a scorecard system as a unified reporting mechanism by (O’Brien et al. 2022).
Subactions
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4.5.1. Evaluar la pérdida de diversidad genética en poblaciones de especies amenazadas a través de herramientas genéticas y genómicas o evaluaciones por proxy.
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4.5.2. Desarrollar indicadores estandarizados de diversidad genética y mecanismos de información para los responsables de la formulación de políticas y los gestores ambientales.
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4.5.3. Utilizar análisis genéticos y genómicos para informar la gestión integrada de meta-poblaciones de poblaciones ex situ e in situ y su papel en las reintroducciones y el refuerzo.
Solutions and case studies
Comprehensive Solution for the Rescue and Conservation of the Critically Small Population of Firmiana major
Firmiana major is an endemic species of China. It was declared extinct in the wild by the IUCN in 1998. Later, it was rediscovered in the Sichuan Panzhihua Cycad National Nature Reserve. However, the population size remains extremely small, natural regeneration is limited. The species faces several threats, including low seed plumpness, challenges in seed preservation, harsh habitat conditions in the dry-hot valley, and a lack of protective policies. Integrate field surveys, artificial propagation, in situ conservation, genetic diversity research, and policy advocacy. Core measures include sowing immediately after collection, habitat management. The wild population has increased nearly 400 individuals. More than 500 seedlings have been artificially cultivated. The species has been reclassified as a National Key Protected Wild Plant (Class II), assessed as Endangered (EN) by the IUCN, and its conservation efforts have been integrated into local ecological plans.
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4.5.4. Incluir los riesgos genéticos en las evaluaciones de especies de la Lista Roja.
