Please use this identifier to cite or link to this item: http://hdl.handle.net/1893/36955
Appears in Collections:Biological and Environmental Sciences Journal Articles
Peer Review Status: Refereed
Title: Incorporating Genetic Diversity to Optimize the Plant Conservation Network in the Third Pole
Author(s): Wambulwa, Moses C.
Zhu, Guang‐Fu
Luo, Ya‐Huang
Wu, Zeng‐Yuan
Provan, Jim
Cadotte, Marc W.
Jump, Alistair S.
Wachira, Francis N.
Gao, Lian‐Ming
Yi, Ting‐Shuang
Cai, Jie
Wang, Hong
Li, De‐Zhu
Liu, Jie
Contact Email: a.s.jump@stir.ac.uk
Keywords: conservation network
ecological niche modeling
genetic diversity
genetic erosion
National Park Cluster
protected areas
systematic conservation planning
Tibetan Plateau
Issue Date: Mar-2025
Date Deposited: 24-Mar-2025
Citation: Wambulwa MC, Zhu G, Luo Y, Wu Z, Provan J, Cadotte MW, Jump AS, Wachira FN, Gao L, Yi T, Cai J, Wang H, Li D & Liu J (2025) Incorporating Genetic Diversity to Optimize the Plant Conservation Network in the Third Pole. <i>Global Change Biology</i>, 31 (3). https://doi.org/10.1111/gcb.70122
Abstract: Climate change poses a significant threat to the survival of many species. Although protected areas can slow down biodiversity loss, they often lack systematic planning and do not integrate genetic diversity. Genetic diversity is a key prerequisite for species survival and the ability to tolerate new conditions. Using population genetic and distribution data from 96 plant species in the Third Pole (encompassing the Tibetan Plateau and adjacent mountains), we mapped patterns of genetic diversity, projected climate-driven range dynamics and future genetic erosion, and designed an optimal conservation framework for the region. We identified several patches of high haplotype diversity (HD), with a relatively high number of haplotypes in southeastern Third Pole. Regression models revealed that climate and topography have interacted to shape patterns of genetic diversity, with latitude and precipitation being the best predictors for HD of cpDNA and nrDNA, respectively. Ecological niche modeling predicted an approximate 43 km northwestward and 86 m upward shift in suitable habitats under future climate scenarios, likely leading to a significant loss of up to 13.19% and 15.49% of cpDNA and nrDNA genetic diversity, respectively. Alarmingly, 71.20% of the newly identified conservation priority areas fall outside of the existing protected areas and planned National Park Clusters. Therefore, we recommend expanding the network by 2.02 × 105 km2 (5.91%) in the Third Pole, increasing the total conserved area to 1.36 × 106 km2 (39.93%) to effectively preserve the evolutionary potential of plants. This study represents an innovative attempt to incorporate genetic diversity into biodiversity conservation efforts.
DOI Link: 10.1111/gcb.70122
Rights: This is an open access article under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial License, which permits use, distribution and reproduction in any medium, provided theoriginal work is properly cited and is not used for commercial purposes. © 2025 The Author(s). Global Change Biology published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd
Licence URL(s): http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0/

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