Implementing Genomics in Conservation: Gaps, Disparities and Need for Interdisciplinary Collaborations and Capacity Building in the Global South

Abstract

Global biodiversity is undergoing a rapid decline, underscoring the urgent need for effective conservation strategies. Though biodiversity conservation takes many forms, approaches that incorporate genomic data into decision-making are necessary for many taxa. Genetic data play a critical role in informing conservation planning and decision-making. However, the world's most biodiverse and vulnerable areas also have the fewest resources available for generating genetic data for biodiversity protection. Genomic tools remain insufficiently incorporated into conservation programs across the Global South. In contrast to the Global North, countries in the Global South face significant constraints in funding, technical expertise, and research collaborations, leading to a marked underrepresentation of their species in genomic databases. This disparity limits the effectiveness of conservation actions in these regions. Strengthening financial support, fostering equitable collaborations, and investing in capacity-building are essential to enhance the integration of genomics into conservation efforts in the Global South.