Practical applications of genetic studies in rare plant conservation

Storyboard Contributed by: Dr. Christy Edwards and Brock Mashburn, Missouri Botanical Garden

Genetic diversity is what produces the physical and functional variation in a rare plant species. Rare plants species rely on genetic diversity to survive or adapt to disease, climate change, and other emerging threats. This video explains the importance of quantifying patterns of genetic diversity within and among rare plant populations to inform ex-situ collection strategies and other population management decisions. Genetic studies may answer a variety of questions: Are plants in a population clonal or outcrossing? Which population of a species has the highest genetic diversity? The answers to these questions can help direct limited conservation resources to most effective and timely action.