Achieving practical outcomes from genetic studies of rare Australian plants

An increasing number of genetic studies of rare plants are motivated by the potential contribution they can make to the conservation of the species concerned. However, while these studies frequently identify conservation implications, few have demonstrated practical conservation outcomes. In this paper, we critically evaluate the practical outcomes of our genetic study of three endangered plant species: Haloragodendron lucasii, Zieria prostrata and Wollemia nobilis. Each genetic study provided a number of conservation implications or management recommendations for the species concerned. However, for three reasons, not all of the implications actually led to practical outcomes. First, similar recommendations were already in place. Second, management recommendations, while sound, were not relevant to the current management priorities. Third, irrespective of the genetic outcome, a given recommendation prevailed as the preferred management option. In order to achieve, effective and cost-efficient recovery of threatened flora, we need to identify those cases where genetic studies are likely to produce practical outcomes for conservation management. This may best be achieved by first, assessing and critically evaluating the outcomes of genetic research already conducted, and second, evaluating the potential for practical outcomes of future research by considering the range of possible outcomes in the context of the management options available for the species.