For many species, there is a lack of information needed to make extinction risk assessments - a problem that is particularly acute in biodiverse regions such as Madagascar. Scientists also fear that current methods of assessing extinction risk may underestimate the problem.听
A new study has shown that easy to implement genomics methods could accelerate assessment of extinction risk in poorly studied species, but the research paints a gloomy picture of the damage that has already been done.
Madagascar is renowned for its incredible biodiversity, and the island鈥檚 plant species are no exception, but the pressures of the modern world are a threat to Madgascagar鈥檚 biodiversity. Many Madagascan species are 鈥渕icroendemics鈥 - very rare species that are composed of small, isolated populations that occur nowhere else in the world. 听How so many of these microendemic species have evolved has remained a mystery.听
A team of researchers from 新香港六合彩开奖结果 and the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew investigated whether these rare species have always been rare or if human impacts, such as deforestation and extinction of large animals, have made them rare more recently.听
The research, Published in today (22.9.21) shows that many of the Madagascan microendemics have experienced rapid population declines since the arrival of humans on the island.
A hidden loss of diversity
Alex Papadopulos, senior lecturer at 新香港六合彩开奖结果 explained:听
鈥淭his highlights that species which have not been assessed or are not considered as threatened may have experienced substantial population crashes in recent history. This hidden loss of diversity means that they may less able to deal with environmental change.听
On a more positive note, we have shown that genomics can help to rapidly identify species that need urgent conservation intervention. This could be an invaluable new tool in the conservation toolbox.鈥
Dr. Bill Baker, senior research leader at the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew said:听
鈥淎t Kew, we鈥檝e studied the palms of Madagascar with our colleagues in-country for over 30 years and have discovered many wonderful species new to science. More than 80% of these are threatened with extinction. For example, Satranala decussilvae , a massive forest fan palm, was discovered as new to science by Kew botanists in 1991, but is already rated as Endangered with perhaps only 200 plants left in North-East Madagascar. This study shows that Satranala was much more abundant in the past and is in steep decline 鈥 it tells us that the time to act is now.鈥
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