The document discusses the 'Genes from Space' project, which utilizes advanced earth observation technology to monitor genetic diversity in ecosystems, offering a quicker and more cost-effective means of tracking population-level effects for conservation efforts. It highlights examples of monitoring forest changes and discovering penguin colonies, while also noting limitations in currently available technology for assessing genetic diversity from space. The initiative aims to enhance methodologies in measuring genetic diversity and population health using satellite data and remote sensing techniques.

1. GENES FROM SPACE
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Meredith C. Schuman &
ISSI International Team “Genes from Space”
Using advances in Earth observation to
monitor genetic diversity of ecosystems

2. GENES FROM SPACE
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Genetic diversity monitoring can be slow & expensive
2
Hoban S et al. (2022) Biological Reviews, 97, 1511-1538

3. GENES FROM SPACE
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Population-level effects are faster and cheaper to
monitor (and directly relevant for conservation)
3
Populations
that are too
small degrade
Laikre L et al. (2008) Biodiversity and Conservation, 17, 893-910; Hoban S et al. (2020) Biological Conservation, 248, 108654; Laikre L et al. (2020) Science, 367, 1083-1085

4. GENES FROM SPACE
© RSL UZH
Population-level effects are faster and cheaper to
monitor (and directly relevant for conservation)
4
Populations
that are too
small degrade
All mature individuals (Nc)
Nc:Ne
Ratio
~ 0.1
Effective size (Ne)
Their effective size Ne can be estimated with DNA
or by census
Laikre L et al. (2008) Biodiversity and Conservation, 17, 893-910; Hoban S et al. (2020) Biological Conservation, 248, 108654; Laikre L et al. (2020) Science, 367, 1083-1085

5. GENES FROM SPACE
© RSL UZH
Population-level effects are faster and cheaper to
monitor (and directly relevant for conservation)
5
Populations
that are too
small degrade
Headline Indicator
A.4, Target 4
Proportion of
populations within
species with an
effective population
size (Ne) > 500
All mature individuals (Nc)
Nc:Ne
Ratio
~ 0.1
Effective size (Ne)
Their effective size Ne can be estimated with DNA
or by census
Laikre L et al. (2008) Biodiversity and Conservation, 17, 893-910; Hoban S et al. (2020) Biological Conservation, 248, 108654; Laikre L et al. (2020) Science, 367, 1083-1085

6. GENES FROM SPACE
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Example: Global forest monitoring
6
Rondônia, Brasil, Landsat 5, 08 July 1989 (left) and Sentinel-2, 29 June 2022 (right), 30 m
See also Global Forest Watch initiative (https://www. globalforestwatch.org/)

7. GENES FROM SPACE
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Repeated Earth observations upscale monitoring
7

8. GENES FROM SPACE
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Genetic diversity is not a target for Earth observation
8
Skidmore AK et al. (2021) Nature Ecology & Evolution, 5, 896–906 Timmermans J, Kissling WD (2023) Ecological Indicators, 154, 110773
“… [T]he EBV class genetic composition (3,4)
cannot yet be remotely sensed from space
and is not considered further.”
Focus on potential of current and upcoming
technologies, genetic diversity still out-of-scope

9. GENES FROM SPACE
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We think that it should be, and it will change how we
measure genetic diversity
9
Rondônia, Brasil, Landsat 5, 08 July 1989 (left) and Sentinel-2, 29 June 2022 (right), 30 m

10. GENES FROM SPACE
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Example:
Monitoring changes in tree populations and habitats
10
Gitelson pigment indices calculated by Alexander Damm-Reiser, APEX Mission MM020_OENS_100626 (2010, Oensingen, Switzerland)
Band combination: R-G-B = 2-1-3 = Chlorophyll-Carotenoid-Anthocyanin
Schuman MC, Roeoesli C, et al. (2023) EcoEvoRxiv, doi:10.32942/X2ZP53

11. GENES FROM SPACE
© RSL UZH
Example:
Monitoring changes in tree populations and habitats
11
Gitelson pigment indices calculated by Alexander Damm-Reiser, APEX Mission MM020_OENS_100626 (2010, Oensingen, Switzerland)
Band combination: R-G-B = 2-1-3 = Chlorophyll-Carotenoid-Anthocyanin
Trait-based diversity and ecosystem function from space:
Isabelle Helfenstein, Novel Uses of Remote Sensing session @ 11:30, Grand Salon
Schuman MC, Roeoesli C, et al. (2023) EcoEvoRxiv, doi:10.32942/X2ZP53

12. GENES FROM SPACE
© RSL UZH
Example: Discovering penguin colonies from space
12
See also Fretwell PT, Trathan PN (2021) Remote Sensing in Ecology and Conservation
and Jenouvrier S et al. (2020) Global Change Biology, 26, 1170-1184

13. GENES FROM SPACE
© RSL UZH
Example: Discovering penguin colonies from space
13
See also Fretwell PT, Trathan PN (2021) Remote Sensing in Ecology and Conservation
and Jenouvrier S et al. (2020) Global Change Biology, 26, 1170-1184

14. GENES FROM SPACE
© RSL UZH
Map
population
boundaries
Populations
maintained
Proportion
with Ne>500
Monitor
change
Targeted re-
assessment
and action
14
Developing workflows to support monitoring
Spatial data,
habitat
information
Historical
satellite data
Nc (or Ne)
estimate from
area*density,
models, or
features
Change over
time (days to
weeks)
EO
contributes:
Information for
action
Schuman MC, Roeoesli C, et al. (2023) EcoEvoRxiv, doi:10.32942/X2ZP53
ISSI Genes from Space team, in preparation

15. GENES FROM SPACE
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Thank you
Linda: Stockholm University
Michael: Marc Latzel, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Meredith C. Schuman Isabelle S. Helfenstein
Ghassem R. Asrar Claudia Roeoesli
Wolke Tobón Niedfelt Clement Albergel
Katie L. Millette Cristiano Vernesi
Alicia Mastretta-Yanes
Michael E. Schaepman
Linda Laikre