Symposium # 26: Conservation of Ecologically Important Variation: Comparing Molecular Markers and Ecological Traits.

Organized by: J.K. McKay and K.J. Rice.
Thursday, August 10, 2000
8:00 AM to 12:00 PM
Ballroom II - Cliff Lodge

Impacts of human activity and future climate change make estimating ecologically important (non-neutral) genetic variation crucial to accurately assess the ability of species and populations to persist in the face of spatial and temporal environmental variation. Often in conservation levels of neutral or nearly neutral genetic variation are estimated using random genetic markers. Neutral genetic markers infer the present and historical population structure of taxa of concern. However, to maintain evolutionary potential we need to preserve genetic variation in ecologically important (non-neutral) traits. In particular we must preserve genetic variation in traits involved in local adaptation, such as behavioral, morphological and physiological traits, which will allow species to survive across habitats, both present and future. Testing for the presence of local adaptation is critical in conservation, e.g. stocking, translocation and restoration, however this is not possible using only molecular data. This symposium will examine the current state of understanding of the relationship between neutral and adaptive variation in natural populations, and emphasize the importance of considering ecological genetics in conservation. Content of the talks will seek a balance between theory and application, in order to communicate the need for new approaches in conservation. Given the accelerated rate in the loss of biodiversity, we need to critically evaluate current approaches to assessing evolutionary potential.