Biodiversity Conservation Biotechnology

Earth is experiencing its sixth mass extinction, driven by habitat loss, climate change, pollution, overexploitation, and invasive species. Current species extinction rates are estimated to be 100-1000 times background rates, with potentially catastrophic consequences for ecosystem services, food security, and human well-being. Reversing these trends requires a portfolio of approaches, and biotechnology offers increasingly powerful tools to complement traditional conservation measures.

Conservation biotechnology encompasses a range of approaches: molecular monitoring of biodiversity (eDNA, metabarcoding, genomics), genetic management of small or fragmented populations, cryopreservation of genetic resources, microbiome manipulation to support species health, and emerging synthetic biology approaches. Each tool has specific applications, limitations, and ethical considerations that must be carefully evaluated.

Hrisana Journal welcomes submissions across the full spectrum of conservation biotechnology. We are particularly interested in work that bridges fundamental research and practical application, that engages with the ethical and policy dimensions of conservation intervention, and that contributes to the global effort to halt biodiversity loss.

Environmental DNA (eDNA) — genetic material shed by organisms into their environment — has revolutionized biodiversity monitoring. Water samples from rivers, lakes, and oceans contain eDNA from the species present, allowing detection without capturing or even observing the organisms. Soil and sediment samples contain eDNA from terrestrial organisms. Air samples have even been shown to contain eDNA from nearby animals and plants.

The method is sensitive enough to detect rare and elusive species — a single water sample can reveal the presence of a rare salamander or a secretive fish. It is scalable — large spatial extents can be surveyed with manageable field effort. And it is non-invasive — no organisms are disturbed or collected. These properties make eDNA particularly valuable for monitoring endangered species, detecting invasive species early, and assessing the impacts of management interventions.

Quantitative eDNA — using digital PCR or metabarcoding read counts to estimate organism abundance or biomass — is an active area of methodological development. While challenges remain (eDNA production and degradation rates vary by species and environment; transport can move eDNA away from its source), the method holds promise for population monitoring at scales impractical with traditional approaches. Hrisana Journal welcomes methodological and applied submissions in this area.

Small, isolated populations lose genetic diversity through drift and inbreeding, reducing their adaptive potential and increasing extinction risk. Conservation genomics provides tools to assess genetic health, identify genetically distinct units for management, and guide interventions such as genetic rescue — introducing individuals from other populations to increase genetic diversity.

Whole-genome sequencing of endangered species was prohibitively expensive a decade ago but is now routine. Reference genomes can be assembled for a few thousand dollars, and population-scale resequencing provides high-resolution data on genetic variation, inbreeding, and adaptive potential. These data inform management decisions: which populations to prioritize for protection, which to connect through habitat corridors, and which to consider for translocation or genetic rescue.

For species with extremely small populations, assisted gene flow — intentional translocation of individuals to increase genetic diversity — can reverse inbreeding depression. The Florida panther is a classic example: introduction of Texas pumas in the 1990s increased genetic diversity and reversed several indicators of inbreeding depression. Similar interventions have been applied to other species and should be informed by genomic data to maximize benefits and minimize risks of outbreeding depression.

Cryopreservation — storage of biological material at ultra-low temperatures (typically in liquid nitrogen) — provides a means to preserve genetic resources indefinitely. Cryobanks of seeds, gametes, embryos, somatic tissues, and cell cultures serve as insurance against species extinction and as resources for future research and restoration. The Svalbard Global Seed Vault, the San Diego Zoo Frozen Zoo, and various national cryobanks represent global investments in this approach.

For plants, seed banking is the most efficient approach for species with orthodox seeds (seeds that tolerate drying and freezing). However, many tropical species have recalcitrant seeds that cannot be dried and are killed by freezing. For these species, cryopreservation of embryos, excised embryonic axes, or somatic tissues is required, often with specialized protocols involving vitrification (preventing ice crystal formation through rapid cooling in cryoprotectant solutions).

For animals, cryopreservation of gametes and embryos is well-established for livestock and model species but more challenging for wildlife. Sperm cryopreservation is the most widely applicable approach; embryo cryopreservation requires species-specific in vitro fertilization protocols. Somatic cell cryopreservation, combined with somatic cell nuclear transfer (cloning), provides a potential route to restore individuals from cryopreserved tissue, though cloning success rates remain low for most species.

Synthetic biology approaches — gene drives, synthetic genomes, engineered gene circuits — are being explored for conservation applications. Gene drives could potentially suppress invasive rodent populations on islands, protecting native seabirds. Engineered microbes could provide resistance to diseases such as chytridiomycosis in amphibians. These technologies offer transformative potential but also raise ecological and ethical questions that demand careful consideration and inclusive decision-making.

Microbiome manipulation is an emerging tool for conservation. Corals can be inoculated with heat-tolerant symbiotic algae to enhance thermal tolerance. Amphibians can be supplemented with antifungal bacteria to resist chytrid infection. Plants can be inoculated with drought-tolerant microbial consortia to support establishment in restored habitats. These approaches work with the holobiont — the host plus its associated microbiome — recognizing that the health and resilience of organisms are fundamentally shaped by their microbial partners.

Hrisana Journal invites submissions on all aspects of conservation biotechnology, including work that engages with the ethical, social, and policy dimensions of conservation intervention. Our peer-reviewed, open-access format supports the rigorous, transparent, and inclusive discussion that conservation biotechnology demands. Visit our Submit Manuscript page to begin your submission.