Marine ‘Genetic Resources’ and the Potential Role of Protected Areas in Conserving Them

Abstract

Marine genetic variability has been studied at all levels within the hierarchy of biological systems, and some major findings to date are briefly reviewed in this paper. Important conclusions are that many marine populations may be quite variable genetically, and that this variability is particularly high in species-rich communities such as those of coral reefs. It is generally thought that variability does change in relation to ecological variables, and thus must contribute to adaptation to environment. At the community level there are marked geographical differences not only in the composition of marine biota, but also in their richness. While the importance of threats to genetic resources cannot be quantified in relation either to one another and to other areas of environmental concern, it is clear that long-term measures such as the establishment of protected areas must be planned with genetic considerations in mind, as these resources are related to the survival of valuable species, and to the important theme of biotic diversity.