Using next-generation sequencing for conservation of eelgrass
This is a suggestion for a Degree Project for Bachelor's and Master's levels at the Department of Marine 91̽»¨s. Degree projects at the Department of Marine 91̽»¨s are done independently and must be written and assessed individually.
Subject: Marine Biology
Project level: Master or Bachelor
Location: °ÕÂáä°ù²Ôö
91̽»¨ person: Marlene Jahnke
Project background
Biodiversity loss and climate change are two of the grand challenges of our time. Maintaining biodiversity, within and between species and ecosystems, will become increasingly important to avoid the worst impacts of climate change.
Despite the fact that genetic diversity is the level at which selections acts, hence influences individual and species survival, it is rarely used in environmental conservation.
The aim of the project
The project focuses on the seagrass Zostera marina (eelgrass), which is a priority species in conservation because of its large-scale decline and important role as foundation species.
Eelgrass is one of the most important habitat-forming species around the Swedish coast and is at risk of further decline due to climate change, not least in the Baltic Sea. Management to mitigate further losses must take into consideration genetic diversity of eelgrass. This is clearly demonstrated by our earlier work showing a surprising genetic complexity of eelgrass on the Swedish west coast.
In this project you will assess genetic diversity of eelgrass using next-generation sequencing techniques and will relate the results to conservation relevant questions such as providing a baseline of current genetic diversity and connectivity for future genetic monitoring, and assessing meadows’ ability to recover and adapt in the future.
91̽»¨ person
Marlene Jahnke
Email: marlene.jahnke@gu.se