Chapter 1
Genomics in the Discovery and Monitoring
of Marine Biodiversity
G.R. Carvalho, S. Creer, Michael J. Allen, F.O. Costa, C.S. Tsigenopoulos,
M. Le Goff-Vitry, A. Magoulas, L. Medlin, and K. Metfies
Abstract Marine biodiversity encompasses a range of hierarchical levels, including genetic, species, ecosystem and functional diversity. Interactions among such
levels determine ultimately the distribution and abundance, as well as evolutionary
potential and resilience, of marine taxa. In the face of accelerating environmental
change and ecosystem disruption, the detection and monitoring of structural and
functional components becomes increasingly urgent. Classical ecological and conservation marine studies focused on species and communities- the emphasis has now
shifted to enhancing our understanding of the relationships among the various components of biodiversity, especially their role in ecosystem services such as global
nutrient recycling and climate. Here, we highlight the significance of genomics and
genetic principles in elucidating the interactions among different biological levels of
diversity, from genetic and cellular, to community and ecosystem-level processes.
Genomic methods are especially powerful in disclosing previously undetected taxonomic (e.g. DNA barcoding), genetic (e.g. 454 sequencing) and functional (e.g.
gene expression, analysis of metabolites) diversity, including the identification of
new species and metabolic pathways.
1.1 Marine Biodiversity and Genomics – A Global Perspective
1.1.1 Marine Biodiversity: Structural and Functional Components
There are several indisputable facts about marine biodiversity: the exceptional levels
that are found in our oceans; the accelerating range of threats to which marine taxa
are exposed, and its importance in ecosystem functioning.
G.R. Carvalho (B)
Molecular Ecology and Fisheries Genetics Laboratory, School of Biological Sciences, Bangor
University, Bangor, Gwynedd LL57 2UW, UK
e-mail: g r.carvalho@bangor.ac.uk
1
J.M. Cock et al. (eds.), Introduction to Marine Genomics,
Advances in Marine Genomics 1, DOI 10.1007/978-90-481-8639-6_1,
C
Springer Science+Business Media B.V. 2010
Genomics in the Discovery and Monitoring
of Marine Biodiversity
G.R. Carvalho, S. Creer, Michael J. Allen, F.O. Costa, C.S. Tsigenopoulos,
M. Le Goff-Vitry, A. Magoulas, L. Medlin, and K. Metfies
Abstract Marine biodiversity encompasses a range of hierarchical levels, including genetic, species, ecosystem and functional diversity. Interactions among such
levels determine ultimately the distribution and abundance, as well as evolutionary
potential and resilience, of marine taxa. In the face of accelerating environmental
change and ecosystem disruption, the detection and monitoring of structural and
functional components becomes increasingly urgent. Classical ecological and conservation marine studies focused on species and communities- the emphasis has now
shifted to enhancing our understanding of the relationships among the various components of biodiversity, especially their role in ecosystem services such as global
nutrient recycling and climate. Here, we highlight the significance of genomics and
genetic principles in elucidating the interactions among different biological levels of
diversity, from genetic and cellular, to community and ecosystem-level processes.
Genomic methods are especially powerful in disclosing previously undetected taxonomic (e.g. DNA barcoding), genetic (e.g. 454 sequencing) and functional (e.g.
gene expression, analysis of metabolites) diversity, including the identification of
new species and metabolic pathways.
1.1 Marine Biodiversity and Genomics – A Global Perspective
1.1.1 Marine Biodiversity: Structural and Functional Components
There are several indisputable facts about marine biodiversity: the exceptional levels
that are found in our oceans; the accelerating range of threats to which marine taxa
are exposed, and its importance in ecosystem functioning.
G.R. Carvalho (B)
Molecular Ecology and Fisheries Genetics Laboratory, School of Biological Sciences, Bangor
University, Bangor, Gwynedd LL57 2UW, UK
e-mail: g r.carvalho@bangor.ac.uk
1
J.M. Cock et al. (eds.), Introduction to Marine Genomics,
Advances in Marine Genomics 1, DOI 10.1007/978-90-481-8639-6_1,
C
Springer Science+Business Media B.V. 2010