The article highlights a groundbreaking approach in species conservation – utilizing gene editing technologies to restore lost genetic diversity. An international team of scientists proposes an innovative solution to save endangered species by harnessing the power of genome engineering.

By repurposing gene editing technologies, which have been successfully used in agriculture and de-extinction projects, the researchers aim to recover lost genetic variation in species on the brink of extinction using historical samples from museum collections, biobanks, and related species. This approach offers a transformative solution for restoring genetic diversity and saving endangered species.

Conservation successes like captive breeding and habitat protection often focus on boosting population numbers but do little to replenish gene variants lost when a species’ numbers crash, leading to genomic erosion. The scientists argue that embracing new technological advances alongside traditional conservation approaches is essential to ensure the long-term survival of threatened species.

One notable example is the pink pigeon in Mauritius, which has been brought back from the brink of extinction through decades of captive-breeding and reintroduction efforts. Despite its recovery, the pigeon continues to experience substantial genomic erosion and is likely to go extinct in the next 50-100 years without intervention. Genome engineering could make this possible.

The technology has already shown promise in agriculture, with crops resistant to pests and drought covering millions of hectares worldwide. More recently, announcements of plans to bring extinct species back to life have further highlighted its potential.

The scientists outline three key applications for gene editing in conservation:

1. Recovering lost genetic diversity: Using historical samples to reintroduce DNA variation that has been lost from immune-system genes or borrowing climate-tolerance genes from closely related species.
2. Genome enhancement: Introducing beneficial traits into a species, such as disease resistance or enhanced nutritional content.
3. Conservation of rare species: Preserving the genetic diversity of endangered species to ensure their long-term survival.

The authors address the risks associated with gene editing, including off-target genetic modifications and unintentional further reductions in genetic diversity, cautioning that the approaches remain experimental. They emphasize the need for phased, small-scale trials, rigorous long-term monitoring of evolutionary and ecological impacts, and robust engagement with local communities, indigenous groups, and the wider public before broader implementation.

The scientists stress that genetic interventions must complement, not replace, habitat restoration and traditional conservation actions. Biodiversity faces unprecedented threats that demand unprecedented solutions, and genome editing is not a replacement for species protection. Its role must be carefully evaluated alongside established conservation strategies as part of a broader, integrated approach with species protection as a guiding principle.

By embracing this transformative solution, we can revitalize the genetic diversity of endangered species, ensuring their long-term survival in the face of unprecedented environmental challenges. The future of our planet depends on it.

The world’s oceans have long been thought to be a vast, plastic-free expanse. However, recent research has revealed a shocking truth – our seas are home to an estimated 27 million tons of tiny plastic particles, known as nanoplastics. This staggering amount is the result of a collaborative effort between ocean scientists and atmospheric researchers from Utrecht University.

The discovery was made possible by the work of Sophie ten Hietbrink, a master’s student who spent four weeks aboard the research vessel RV Pelagia, collecting water samples at 12 locations across the North Atlantic. Using mass spectrometry in the laboratory, she was able to detect and quantify the characteristic molecules of different types of plastics present in the ocean.

According to Helge Niemann, a researcher at NIOZ and professor of geochemistry at Utrecht University, this estimate is the first of its kind. “Until now, there were only a few publications that showed nanoplastics existed in the ocean water,” he said. “But we have never been able to estimate the amount until now.”

The consequences of this revelation are profound. Nanoplastics can penetrate deep into our bodies and have even been found in brain tissue. Now that their ubiquity in oceans has been confirmed, it’s likely they will contaminate every level of the ecosystem – from bacteria and microorganisms to fish and top predators like humans.

While cleaning up the existing nanoplastics is impossible, researchers emphasize that preventing further pollution with plastics is essential. Niemann emphasizes this crucial message: “We should at least prevent the further pollution of our environment with plastics.”

Future research will focus on understanding the different types of plastics present in nanoplastics and their distribution across other oceans. As we continue to explore the complexities of plastic pollution, it’s clear that a concerted effort is needed to protect our planet from these insidious invaders – even if they’re as small as a nanometer.

The 2014-2016 marine heatwave along the Pacific coast of North America was unprecedented in its duration and severity. This prolonged event pushed temperatures to two to six degrees above historical averages, leaving an indelible mark on the region’s marine ecosystems. Researchers from the University of Victoria’s Baum Lab have compiled a comprehensive synthesis of 331 primary studies and governmental reports, shedding light on the far-reaching ecological impacts of this heatwave.

“The marine heatwave resulted in unprecedented ecological disturbance across thousands of kilometers of North America’s west coast,” says Samuel Starko, lead author and former UVic postdoctoral fellow. “Our comprehensive synthesis helps us better understand its overall impacts and how these fit into the broader context of other marine heatwaves.”

The consequences of this heatwave were multifaceted and far-reaching:

* 240 species were found outside their typical geographic range, with many swimming further north than ever before.
* Several species, such as the northern right whale dolphin and sea slug Placida cremoniana, were discovered over 1,000 kilometers north of their usual habitat.
* Kelp forests collapsed, and widespread declines in kelp and seagrass occurred.
* Sea stars, seabirds, and marine mammals experienced unprecedented mortality events.
* Temperature-linked diseases contributed to ecosystem collapse.

The impacts of this heatwave cascaded throughout the ecosystem, affecting everything from plankton to whales. The reduced abundance and nutritional quality of forage fish caused problems for predators, while plankton communities reorganized, and offshore oceanographic productivity was altered.

The economic costs were substantial, with hundreds of millions of dollars in losses due to the closure of multiple fisheries driven by changes in species interactions, disease proliferation, and habitat loss.

“As heatwaves become more frequent and intense under climate change, the 2014-16 Northeast Pacific marine heatwave provides a critical example of how climate change is impacting ocean life,” says Julia Baum, UVic marine ecologist and special advisor on climate. “This study underscores the urgent need for proactive, ecosystem-based marine conservation strategies and climate change mitigation measures.”

The research published in Oceanography and Marine Biology: An Annual Review was supported by funding from various organizations, including the Natural Science and Engineering Research Council of Canada.

Research in the Baum Lab supports the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) No. 11 (life below water) and No. 13 (climate action).