Conservation of giant clams should factor in ecological roles and genetic data: Expert

SINGAPORE - Examining the number of species has conventionally been the main way that conservation areas are prioritised.

Her book – A Field Guide To Giant Clams Of The Indo-Pacific – cites a study published in 2022 which showed that species richness alone cannot account for the biodiversity contributions derived from the phylogenetics and ecological roles of the giant clam species. “If a species has a long evolutionary history, we will want to try and protect it. Otherwise, closely related species of giant clams could become extinct, resulting in the loss of certain ecological traits and functions that may not be found in the younger lineages,” Dr Neo explained.

“A functionally diverse community would consist of species with highly unique traits that contribute numerous ecological roles. For instance, if there are 100 species in a community, but 50 per cent to 60 per cent of them play similar functions, then it does not mean that the area is more functionally diverse,” she said.

Dr Neo Mei Lin and illustrator Adel Lee at the soft launch of their book A Field Guide To Giant Clams Of The Indo-Pacific. ST PHOTO: NG SOR LUANSingapore will contribute to regional conservation, update national biodiversity strategy

Singapore Latest News, Singapore Headlines

Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.

The Big Read: To navigate a new post-Covid world, Singapore firms need a new playbookSINGAPORE — When co-founder and director of Singapore firm EduCareerSg Michael Teo ramped up operations in Malaysia again sometime last year as the Covid-19 crisis subsided, he had least expected the proliferation of job scams there to impact his business — but it did.
Source: TODAYonline - 🏆 1. / 99 Read more »

China names US-sanctioned aerospace expert Li as defence ministerBEIJING – China has named a general sanctioned by the US to be its new defence minister, setting up a potentially awkward encounter if he is ever paired up with US Defence Secretary Lloyd Austin for a meeting. Read more at straitstimes.com.
Source: STForeignDesk - 🏆 4. / 71 Read more »

Evening Update: Today's headlines from The Straits Times on March 10Read more at straitstimes.com.
Source: straits_times - 🏆 5. / 69 Read more »

Subscriber Picks: Would bigger housing grants push up HDB resale prices? | How firms plan mass layoffsRead more at straitstimes.com.
Source: straits_times - 🏆 5. / 69 Read more »

The Big Read in short: Back on their old stomping grounds overseas, S'pore firms need to find their way againSINGAPORE — As the Covid-19 crisis waned, Mr Michael Teo decided sometime last year to ramp up operations in Malaysia again for his company EduCareerSG, which matches jobseekers with firms in Singapore that are willing to offer employment and sponsor their education. Kana stomped
Source: TODAYonline - 🏆 1. / 99 Read more »

The Big Read: To navigate the post-Covid world, Singapore firms need a new playbook to spread their wings abroadSINGAPORE — When co-founder and director of Singapore firm EduCareerSg Michael Teo ramped up operations in Malaysia again sometime last year as the Covid-19 crisis subsided, he had least expected the proliferation of job scams there to impact his business — but it did. [2/5]: While some challenges like that faced by EducareerSG came from the left field, other companies highlighted issues such as rising operational costs, manpower crunch and customers' evolving preferences in their key markets.
Source: TODAYonline - 🏆 1. / 99 Read more »