Environmental change and the option value of genetic diversity

Alistair S. Jump; Rob Marchant; Josep Penuelas

doi:10.1016/j.tplants.2008.10.002

Environmental change and the option value of genetic diversity

Alistair S. Jump, Rob Marchant, Josep Penuelas

Environment and Geography

Research output: Contribution to journal › Literature review › peer-review

Abstract

Rapid anthropogenic environmental change is altering selection pressures on natural plant populations. However, it is difficult to predict easily the novel selection pressures to which populations will be exposed. There is heavy reliance on plant genetic diversity for future crop security in agriculture and industry, but the implications of genetic diversity for natural populations receives less attention. Here, we examine the links between the genetic diversity of natural populations and aspects of plant performance and fitness. We argue that accumulating evidence demonstrates the future benefit or' option value' of genetic diversity within natural populations when subject to anthropogenic environmental changes. Consequently, the loss of that diversity will hinder their ability to adapt to changing environments and is, therefore, of serious concern.

Original language	English
Pages (from-to)	51-58
Number of pages	8
Journal	TRENDS IN PLANT SCIENCE
Volume	14
Issue number	1
DOIs	https://doi.org/10.1016/j.tplants.2008.10.002
Publication status	Published - Jan 2009

Keywords

RAPID CLIMATE-CHANGE
POPULATION-SIZE
HETEROZYGOTE ADVANTAGE
HABITAT FRAGMENTATION
GENOTYPIC DIVERSITY
NATURAL-POPULATIONS
ADAPTIVE EVOLUTION
LOCAL ADAPTATION
FOOD SECURITY
GENOME SCANS

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10.1016/j.tplants.2008.10.002

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title = "Environmental change and the option value of genetic diversity",

abstract = "Rapid anthropogenic environmental change is altering selection pressures on natural plant populations. However, it is difficult to predict easily the novel selection pressures to which populations will be exposed. There is heavy reliance on plant genetic diversity for future crop security in agriculture and industry, but the implications of genetic diversity for natural populations receives less attention. Here, we examine the links between the genetic diversity of natural populations and aspects of plant performance and fitness. We argue that accumulating evidence demonstrates the future benefit or' option value' of genetic diversity within natural populations when subject to anthropogenic environmental changes. Consequently, the loss of that diversity will hinder their ability to adapt to changing environments and is, therefore, of serious concern.",

keywords = "RAPID CLIMATE-CHANGE, POPULATION-SIZE, HETEROZYGOTE ADVANTAGE, HABITAT FRAGMENTATION, GENOTYPIC DIVERSITY, NATURAL-POPULATIONS, ADAPTIVE EVOLUTION, LOCAL ADAPTATION, FOOD SECURITY, GENOME SCANS",

author = "Jump, {Alistair S.} and Rob Marchant and Josep Penuelas",

year = "2009",

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doi = "10.1016/j.tplants.2008.10.002",

language = "English",

volume = "14",

pages = "51--58",

journal = "TRENDS IN PLANT SCIENCE",

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TY - JOUR

T1 - Environmental change and the option value of genetic diversity

AU - Jump, Alistair S.

AU - Marchant, Rob

AU - Penuelas, Josep

PY - 2009/1

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N2 - Rapid anthropogenic environmental change is altering selection pressures on natural plant populations. However, it is difficult to predict easily the novel selection pressures to which populations will be exposed. There is heavy reliance on plant genetic diversity for future crop security in agriculture and industry, but the implications of genetic diversity for natural populations receives less attention. Here, we examine the links between the genetic diversity of natural populations and aspects of plant performance and fitness. We argue that accumulating evidence demonstrates the future benefit or' option value' of genetic diversity within natural populations when subject to anthropogenic environmental changes. Consequently, the loss of that diversity will hinder their ability to adapt to changing environments and is, therefore, of serious concern.

AB - Rapid anthropogenic environmental change is altering selection pressures on natural plant populations. However, it is difficult to predict easily the novel selection pressures to which populations will be exposed. There is heavy reliance on plant genetic diversity for future crop security in agriculture and industry, but the implications of genetic diversity for natural populations receives less attention. Here, we examine the links between the genetic diversity of natural populations and aspects of plant performance and fitness. We argue that accumulating evidence demonstrates the future benefit or' option value' of genetic diversity within natural populations when subject to anthropogenic environmental changes. Consequently, the loss of that diversity will hinder their ability to adapt to changing environments and is, therefore, of serious concern.

KW - RAPID CLIMATE-CHANGE

KW - POPULATION-SIZE

KW - HETEROZYGOTE ADVANTAGE

KW - HABITAT FRAGMENTATION

KW - GENOTYPIC DIVERSITY

KW - NATURAL-POPULATIONS

KW - ADAPTIVE EVOLUTION

KW - LOCAL ADAPTATION

KW - FOOD SECURITY

KW - GENOME SCANS

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U2 - 10.1016/j.tplants.2008.10.002

DO - 10.1016/j.tplants.2008.10.002

M3 - Literature review

SN - 1360-1385

VL - 14

SP - 51

EP - 58

JO - TRENDS IN PLANT SCIENCE

JF - TRENDS IN PLANT SCIENCE

IS - 1

ER -

Environmental change and the option value of genetic diversity

Abstract

Keywords

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