Browsing by Author "Clerck, Olivier De"
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- A European biobanking strategy for safeguarding macroalgal genetic material to ensure food security, biosecurity and conservation of biodiversityPublication . Hofmann, Laurie C.; Brakel, Janina; Bartsch, Inka; Arismendi, Gabriel Montecinos; Bermejo, Ricardo; Parente, Manuela I.; Creis, Emeline; Clerck, Olivier De; Jacquemin, Bertrand; Knoop, Jessica; Lorenz, Maike; Machado, Levi Pompermayer; Orfanidis, Sotiris; Probert, Ian; Menendez, , Cecilia Rad; Ross, Michael; Rautenberger, Ralf; Schiller, Jessica; Serrao, Ester A.; Steinhagen, Sophie; Sulpice, Ronan; Valero, Myriam; Wichard, Thomas; Serrao, Ester A.; Martins, neuzaBiobanking (also known as germplasm banking) of genetic material is a well-established concept for preserving plant genetic diversity and also contributes to food security, conservation and restoration. Macroalgae currently represent a very small percentage of the strains in publicly accessible European germplasm banks, despite the increasing recognition of their contribution to achieving several of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals. There is no strategic coordination of existing macroalgal strains, which could have severe ecological and economic implications as species and their genetic diversity disappear rapidly due to local and global environmental stressors. In this opinion paper, we stress the importance of a coordinated European effort for preserving macroalgal genetic diversity and suggest the development of a three-pillared system to safeguard European macroalgal genetic material consisting of (1) a European Board of Macroalgal Genetic Resources (EBMGR) to provide supervision, support and coordination, (2) a network of germplasm banks consisting of currently existing and newly established infrastructures and (3) an interoperable databank integrating existing databanks. While it will be the task of the EBMGR to identify and coordinate priorities, we offer initial recommendations for preserving macroalgal genetic material, discuss the risks of inaction, and highlight the challenges that must be overcome.
- Global intraspecific diversity of marine forests of brown macroalgae predicted by past climate conditionsPublication . Fragkopoulou, Eliza; Serrao, Ester A.; Clerck, Olivier De; Assis, JorgeGlobal patterns of intraspecific genetic diversity are key to understanding evolutionary and ecological processes. However, insights into the distribution and drivers of genetic diversity remain limited, particularly for marine species. Here, we explain and predict the genetic diversity of cold and temperate brown macroalgae using genetic data from 29 species and a machine-learning algorithm that incorporates contemporary and past climate conditions during the Last Glacial Maximum (~20,000 years ago) based on the niche centroid hypothesis. We apply this model to the distribution of 280 species and predict their global genetic diversity. Our results show reduced genetic diversity away from the niche centroid, identifying past climate conditions as key drivers of contemporary genetic diversity. Regions with high genetic diversity for multiple species emerge, matching biogeographic patterns of species richness. The mapped diversity hotspots establish timely baselines for brown macroalgae biogeography, evolutionary potential and conservation, contributing to the Post-2020 Global Biodiversity Framework.