Scientists Use DNA to Outpace Climate Change's Impact on Ecosystems

Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›

Climate change is occurring at a much faster pace than the natural evolutionary process, putting many of the planet's vital ecosystems at risk. Scientists are turning to conservation genomics, the study of an organism's DNA, to better understand how species are adapting to these rapid environmental shifts and find ways to help them survive.

Why it matters

As climate change accelerates, many plant and animal species are struggling to keep up, leading to the degradation and loss of crucial habitats like California's redwood forests and seagrass meadows. Conservation genomics provides researchers with a powerful tool to monitor how species are responding on a genetic level and identify interventions to support their adaptation.

The details

Conservation genomics involves analyzing the DNA of plants and animals to track genetic changes over time. This allows scientists to detect subtle evolutionary adaptations that may be helping certain species cope with rising temperatures, changing rainfall patterns, and other climate impacts. By understanding the genomic basis of these adaptations, researchers can then explore ways to support vulnerable species, such as assisted gene flow or other conservation strategies.

• Climate change is moving at a much faster pace than the natural evolutionary process, which works over millennia.