Monitoring genetic diversity in Sweden with new indicators for the CBD Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework
About this report
In this report, methods are developed and applied to calculate genetic diversity indicators for over 100 species in Sweden, using already existing data from the redlisting process, species’ National Action Plans, the Swedish national biogeographic survey, citizen science data, scientific articles, reports, and taxonomic expert consultations.
In December 2022, the Fifteenth Conference of the Parties (COP 15) to the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) agreed on a new global framework for biological diversity – the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework (GBF). The GBF is associated with a monitoring framework that includes the monitoring of genetic diversity through a headline indicator (A.4): the proportion of populations within species with an effective population size (N) >500 and a complementary indicator (A.CY.22): the proportion of populations maintained within species.
As these indicators can be assessed without the use of genetic data, they are often referred to as proxy indicators. A third indicator for genetic diversity has also been proposed: the number of species and populations for which genetic diversity is monitored using DNA-based methods. International efforts are ongoing to provide guidelines for assessing these indicators at national levels.
