Guardians of Genetic Diversity: Revive & Restore Spearheads Pioneering Biobanking Project

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Field biologists enter a restoration site for the endangered Preble’s meadow jumping mouse. Credit: Kika Tuff / Revive & Restore
Field biologists enter a restoration site for the endangered Preble’s meadow jumping mouse (Zapus hudsonius preblei). Credit: Kika Tuff / Revive & Restore

A Landmark Biobanking Initiative

In a pioneering effort to counter the escalating threats of biodiversity loss, Revive & Restore, in conjunction with the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service, has initiated the first agency-wide biobanking program for U.S. endangered species. This strategic effort intends to indefinitely preserve living cells from these species, thus conserving their invaluable genetic diversity. The technique used to conserve endangered species by storing their genetic material is known as cryopreservation.

“Biobanking gives us the chance to save irreplaceable genetic diversity,” explains Seth Willey, Deputy Assistant Regional Director at the US Fish & Wildlife Service’s Southwest Region. “If done right, it creates a marker-in-time and gives future recovery biologists options, like genetic rescue, that are only possible if we act now.”

Biobanking has three core applications:

  • Preserving Genetic Diversity: Cryopreserving cells help maintain the genetic diversity, which is crucial for future restoration projects.
  • Managing with Genomic Insight: Sequencing DNA from preserved cells can offer insights into wildlife management and restoration opportunities.
  • Genetic Rescue through Technology: By leveraging advanced biotechnologies, the stored genetic material can reintroduce genetic diversity, refine reproductive tools, and possibly recover extinct species.

The biobanking procedure consists of four phases:

  1. Collaboration: Engage with field biologists for effective tissue sample collection.
  2. Collection: Process collected samples either for primary cell culture or immediate cryopreservation.
  3. Protection: Store frozen cell lines and tissue in a national repository for long-term preservation.
  4. Application: Utilize these samples to construct a reference genome accessible to researchers for conservation activities.

Less than 14% of over 1,700 U.S. threatened or endangered species have cryopreserved living tissue. This initiative intends to change this, starting with the biobanking of 24 selected endangered mammals including the Mexican Wolf, Sonoran Pronghorn, Florida Bonneted Bat, and Preble’s Meadow Jumping Mouse.

Ryan Phelan, Executive Director of Revive & Restore, stated, “This is about creating a legacy of America’s natural history before it is lost.” The program has garnered support and participation from notable institutions like ViaGen Pets & Equine and the U.S. Department of Agriculture, among others.

Furthermore, to assist field biologists in biobanking, Revive & Restore has introduced resources like sample collection protocols and visual aids available on their project webpage.

In short, this multi-institutional partnership is poised to significantly advance the preservation of U.S. endangered species, marking a significant stride in conserving America’s rich biodiversity.

California’s New Greenhouse Gas Reporting Laws: A Higher Standard

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Oil and gas field
BLM California manages nearly 600 producing oil and gas leases covering more than 200,000 acres and 7,900 usable wells. More: Between 80% and 90% of all surface-disturbing activities related to oil and gas activities occur in the San Joaquin Valley on public lands administered by Central California District, Bakersfield Field Office. More than 95% of all Federal drilling occurs in established fields within the Kern County area of the San Joaquin Valley.

The oil and gas program in California is one of the more active in all of the western states, with 2013 onshore oil production figures ranking the State as the 3rd most productive state in the United States. In 2012, California was ranked as the 13th most productive natural gas-producing state. BLM California is responsible for managing one of the most productive individual onshore leases in the lower 48 states, and four of the nation’s top seven producing oil fields are located in Kern County. As a general rule, California’s Federal production totals average approximately 8%-10% of California’s total oil and natural gas production. Original public domain image from Flickr

On October 7, California took a bold step in combatting climate change. Governor Gavin Newsom signed two pioneering bills, SB-253 and SB-261, that not only bolster greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions reporting but also mandate prominent companies to unveil their climate-related financial risks. What makes this move especially notable is its scope; even exceeding the requirements set by the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission in 2022.

What Does SB-253 Entail?

Companies with annual revenues surpassing $1 billion in California will now be obligated to disclose their GHG emissions each year. By 2026, both direct and indirect emissions fall under this mandate. And come 2027, the requirements will be even more stringent. However, there’s a bit of leniency; companies that report scope 3 emissions, which are notoriously challenging to quantify, will face milder penalties provided they report in a genuine effort. The stakes are high; failure to comply can result in fines of up to $500,000 per year. However, to keep things in perspective, $500,000 is a mere 0.0083% of Chevron’s net income of $6.01B.

The Significance of SB-261

Marking a debut at the state level, SB-261 makes it compulsory for businesses with yearly earnings exceeding $500 million to publicly disclose their climate-related financial threats and preventive measures. This requirement kicks off on January 1, 2026, with non-compliance potentially costing companies up to $50,000 annually.

Who’s in Charge?

The responsibility of implementing these groundbreaking laws rests with the California Air Resources Board (CARB). They’re set to engage in rule-making processes in 2024 and will actively seek input from concerned stakeholders. Yet, the path might not be smooth; legal challenges are anticipated, suggesting that the future of these laws may be determined in court.

The Implications for Big Players

Corporate giants in California, such as Chevron and Apple, now find themselves under the spotlight. They need to account for broader emission sources, which include aspects like supply chains and product usage. And with these rigorous Californian regulations, the state is setting a precedent, outpacing both federal and state norms. Furthermore, global powerhouses like Apple and Microsoft are gearing up for these disclosures. While California stands strong with its firm economic position, its guidelines prove more demanding than those at the U.S. federal level.

The Bigger Picture

While reporting scope 3 emissions might be complex, it underscores vital areas of transformation. When companies consistently and transparently disclose their emissions, it can catalyze real climate action. As a testament to this, the U.K.’s emission disclosure rule led to a noteworthy 8% reduction in corporate emissions.

Understanding the Impact of Climate Change on Marine Mammals

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Mother and baby sperm whale
A mother sperm whale and her calf off the coast of Mauritius. The calf has remoras attached to its body. Credit: Gabriel Barathieu, January 26, 2013.

Our oceans are suffering the impact of climate change. From inshore environments to the deep ocean, marine ecosystems are undergoing significant transformations due to rising temperatures, increased carbon dioxide levels, and shifting environmental conditions. This research article by National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) researchers published in PLOS ONE delves into the intricate relationship between climate change and marine mammals. The study focused on the United States’ western North Atlantic (WNA), Gulf of Mexico (GOMx), and Caribbean waters.

Drivers Impacting Marine Life

Global climate change has ushered in a multitude of alterations that stem from a handful of key drivers. Rising levels of heat and carbon dioxide in the Earth’s atmosphere are at the forefront. Here’s a closer look at the other major factors:

1. Increasing Ocean Temperatures

As the Earth’s temperature rises, so too do the temperatures of our oceans. This phenomenon is particularly evident in the western North Atlantic (WNA), where sea surface temperatures have been increasing rapidly. These rising temperatures have direct and indirect consequences for marine mammals that call these waters home.

2. Rising Sea Levels

One of the most visible effects of climate change is the rise in sea levels. This phenomenon is especially pronounced in regions like the southeastern United States, Gulf of Mexico (GOMx), and the Caribbean Sea. The accelerating sea level rise poses a significant threat to coastal ecosystems and the marine life they support.

3. Decreasing Dissolved Oxygen

Climate change also contributes to declining levels of dissolved oxygen in our oceans. This is a particularly alarming trend for marine mammals, as many of them rely on oxygen-rich environments to thrive.

4. Declining Sea Ice Coverage

In polar regions, the decline in sea ice coverage is a stark indicator of climate change. This has profound implications for marine mammals like polar bears and seals, which depend on sea ice as a platform for hunting and resting.

5. Ocean Acidification

The increasing levels of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere are not only raising temperatures but also leading to ocean acidification. This can have devastating effects on marine life, particularly species with calcium carbonate shells or skeletons.

6. Shifting Precipitation Patterns

Climate change also drives changes in precipitation patterns, impacting the salinity of ocean waters. These shifts can have cascading effects on marine ecosystems and the species that inhabit them.

Impacts on Marine Mammals

The effects of climate change are not limited to the physical environment; they also dramatically affect marine communities, including marine mammals. Here are some of the key ways in which climate change impacts these majestic creatures:

1. Altered Distribution and Behavior

Marine mammal species with restricted geographical distributions and habitat tolerances are particularly vulnerable. The changing conditions of their environment leave them with limited opportunities to adapt.

2. Disrupted Prey Availability

Marine mammals rely on stable environments where prey availability is relatively predictable. Climate change can disrupt these ecosystems, leading to food scarcity and challenges in feeding.

3. Climate-Related Shifts in Distribution

Some marine mammal populations, such as ice-associated seals and subarctic cetaceans, have already shown shifts in distribution due to climate change. These changes have significant implications for their conservation and management.

4. Predictive Challenges

Predicting climate-driven changes in marine mammal distribution, phenology, and abundance is a complex task. However, advancements in modeling tools and approaches are improving our ability to make informed predictions.

Assessing Climate Vulnerability

Understanding the vulnerability of marine mammals to climate change is crucial for their conservation. Climate vulnerability assessments (CVAs) play a pivotal role in identifying species at risk. These assessments take into account factors such as exposure, sensitivity, and adaptive capacity.

Trait-Based CVAs

One approach to CVAs involves trait-based assessments, which consider the biological or ecological traits of species that are linked to climate responses. While this method provides less resolution than quantitative approaches, it offers a rapid and adaptable way to assess vulnerability.

NOAA’s Role in Marine Mammal Protection

In the United States, the NOAA has a mandate to protect and recover marine mammal species under the Endangered Species Act (ESA) and Marine Mammal Protection Act (MMPA). To address climate-related threats to marine mammals, NOAA conducts trait-based CVAs for stocks in the WNA, GOMx, and Caribbean waters.

Conclusion

Climate change presents a profound challenge to marine mammals in the United States’ WNA, GOMx, and Caribbean waters. It is a complex issue that requires a multifaceted approach to address. As the world grapples with the consequences of a changing climate, it is imperative that we prioritize the conservation and protection of these incredible creatures. NOAA’s efforts, including trait-based CVAs and vulnerability rankings, provide valuable tools for understanding and mitigating the effects of climate change on marine mammals.

By comprehensively assessing vulnerability and taking proactive measures, we can work towards safeguarding the future of our marine mammal populations.

Source: Lettrich, M.D. et al. (2023). Vulnerability to climate change of U.S. marine mammal stocks in western North Atlantic, Gulf of Mexico, and Caribbean. PLoS ONE, 18(9), e0290643.