What is molecular ecology and how does it help in conservation?

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• Based on previous lessons learned from both inbreeding and outbreeding depression, it is evident that molecular ecology is essential for successful wildlife conservation.
• Molecular ecology is now an important part of wildlife disease management. Rapid detection of low intensities of viral, bacterial, and parasitic infections are now possible using tests based on PCR (polymerase chain reaction). This will help stop spillover events.
• Molecular ecology studies on host-pathogen interactions can help conservationists understand how some species or individuals are more tolerant, resistant, or susceptible to certain diseases.
• Molecular forensics using DNA barcoding has been used to identify species even from processed samples such as dried meat and powdered bones or horns. These help the officers who seize illegal wildlife products.

Humans are testing the limits of most species’ survival, with their planet-wide changes. As urbanisation, deforestation, loss of wildlife, and human-wildlife conflicts continue to spiral up, there is a need to use every available tool available, to help protect what is left of the natural world. Molecular ecology is one such tool for conservation and can help in wildlife disease management and forensics in illegal trade.

What is molecular ecology and how does it help in conservation?