
@article {162686,
	title = {Conservation Genomics-Making a Difference.},
	journal = {Mol Ecol},
	volume = {34},
	year = {2025},
	month = {2025 Dec},
	pages = {e70191},
	abstract = {<p>Conservation genomics has increasingly transitioned from a promising concept to a science that integrates a range of advanced analytical approaches, providing new insights into inbreeding, genetic load, demographic history and adaptive divergence in species of conservation concern. Yet, questions remain about how effectively these advances translate into practical conservation action. This Special Issue, Conservation Genomics-Making a Difference, brings together 37 papers that collectively assess how genomic data are contributing to conservation science and management. The contributions encompass empirical studies, reviews, and perspectives that together demonstrate how genomic tools are now used to identify management units, quantify inbreeding, analyse inbreeding depression, reveal adaptive variation, forecast genomic vulnerability under climate change, and guide genetic rescue and assisted migration. Several papers show direct integration of genomics into conservation planning, including fisheries management, guiding restoration of endangered or habitat-forming species, and monitoring of genetic indicators under the Convention on Biological Diversity. Others highlight emerging questions in conservation, such as the significance of structural variation, and the genomic basis of invasiveness. However, persistent challenges remain, notably in bridging the gap between research and policy, uneven global distribution of genomic resources, and translating complex analyses into practical management advice. Nevertheless, the advances presented in the 37 papers show that conservation genomics is moving beyond its early theoretical and technical focus towards real-world applications. The field is maturing and is increasingly fulfilling its promise to make a real difference for populations, species, and ecosystems.</p>
},
	keywords = {Animals, Conservation of Natural Resources, Endangered Species, Genetics, Population, Genomics, Inbreeding},
	issn = {1365-294X},
	doi = {10.1111/mec.70191},
	author = {Hansen, Michael M and Edwards, Christine and Grossen, Christine and Kardos, Marty and Laikre, Linda and Ramakrishnan, Uma}
}
@article {152147,
	title = {Genetic load.},
	journal = {Curr Biol},
	volume = {34},
	year = {2024},
	month = {2024 Dec 16},
	pages = {R1216-R1220},
	abstract = {<p>We tend to assume that all genetic variation is good: the higher the variation in a population, the more diverse its gene pool, the more secure its future. Unfortunately, the relationship between genetic variation and survival of a population or a species is more complex. Some genetic variants are advantageous, increasing the survival and reproductive output of an individual, while others may be neutral now (but potentially advantageous in the future), and finally, some genetic variants are disadvantageous. All organisms carry a burden of disadvantageous genetic variants, called {\textquoteright}genetic load{\textquoteright}. This genetic load can lead to diseases or morphological abnormalities and reduce survival or reproduction. Although genetic load has been studied for decades, recent technological advances now enable a more detailed understanding of its characteristics and potential consequences in wild species.</p>
},
	keywords = {Animals, Genetic Load, Genetic Variation, Reproduction},
	issn = {1879-0445},
	doi = {10.1016/j.cub.2024.11.004},
	author = {Grossen, Christine and Ramakrishnan, Uma}
}
