Technological advances have enhanced and expanded conservation genomics research but are yet to be integrated fully into biodiversity management

Abstract

Conservation genetics and genomics examines the role of evolutionary and genetic processes in the persistence of organisms, and its research is intended to inform biodiversity management. To characterize the fields within the discipline and map their trends over time and across the globe, we used text analysis to synthesize the peer-reviewed literature (n = 36,159). We then searched for reference to this literature in government documents to determine the frequency with which research was referenced. We found dramatic shifts in research topics associated with the advent of next generation sequencing, including the emergence of environmental DNA analyses. However, we also found a lag in the uptake of these methods, leaving markers such as microsatellites still widely used. Most research was undertaken in higher-income countries, while research involving lower-income countries was typically conducted though collaboration with higher-income countries. Although the number of peer-reviewed publications in the field has increased rapidly, the number referenced in biodiversity management documents has not, instead plateauing at ~10 % of publications since 2010. This suggests a growing disconnect between genomic research and its application. Similar topics attracted both academic citations and mentions in “on-the-ground” documentation, although some of the topics with increasing prevalence in research, such as genomic technologies, appeared less frequently in practice. Promoting co-design and long-term collaboration, rather than post hoc translation of research to application, could provide a more direct pathway for integration between research and governments by ensuring that the research is embraced by, and relevant to, stakeholders and on the ground conservation actions.