Genomic Tools in Biological Invasions: Current State and Future Frontiers

Human activities are accelerating rates of biological invasions and climate-driven range expansions globally, yet we understand little of how genomic processes facilitate the invasion process. Although most of the literature has focused on underlying phenotypic correlates of invasiveness, advances in genomic technologies are showing a strong link between genomic variation and invasion success. Here, we consider the ability of genomic tools and technologies to (i) inform mechanistic understanding of biological invasions and (ii) solve real-world issues in predicting and managing biological invasions. For both, we examine the current state of the field and discuss how genomics can be leveraged in the future. In addition, we make recommendations pertinent to broader research issues, such as data sovereignty, metadata standards, collaboration, and science communication best practices that will require concerted efforts from the global invasion genomics community

Evaluating model outputs using integrated global speleothem records of climate change since the last glacial

Although quantitative isotope data from speleothems has been used to evaluate isotope-enabled model simulations, currently no consensus exists regarding the most appropriate methodology through which to achieve this. A number of modelling groups will be running isotope-enabled palaeoclimate simulations in the framework of the Coupled Model Intercomparison Project Phase 6, so it is timely to evaluate different approaches to using the speleothem data for data–model comparisons. Here, we illustrate this using 456 globally distributed speleothem δ18O records from an updated version of the Speleothem Isotopes Synthesis and Analysis (SISAL) database and palaeoclimate simulations generated using the ECHAM5-wiso isotope-enabled atmospheric circulation model. We show that the SISAL records reproduce the first-order spatial patterns of isotopic variability in the modern day, strongly supporting the application of this dataset for evaluating model-derived isotope variability into the past. However, the discontinuous nature of many speleothem records complicates the process of procuring large numbers of records if data–model comparisons are made using the traditional approach of comparing anomalies between a control period and a given palaeoclimate experiment. To circumvent this issue, we illustrate techniques through which the absolute isotope values during any time period could be used for model evaluation. Specifically, we show that speleothem isotope records allow an assessment of a model's ability to simulate spatial isotopic trends. Our analyses provide a protocol for using speleothem isotope data for model evaluation, including screening the observations to take into account the impact of speleothem mineralogy on δ18O values, the optimum period for the modern observational baseline and the selection of an appropriate time window for creating means of the isotope data for palaeo-time-slices

Moving from contractor to owner operator: Impact on safety culture; a case study

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to investigate whether a change in staffing contractual arrangements, specific training in hazard identification, mentoring of supervisors and the introduction of a robust safety system could improve an organisation\u27s safety culture. How safety conditions change under contracted out labour compared to direct labour and the influence that contracting out has on organisational safety culture is explored. Design/methodology/approach – The study used a case study methodology to detail how the change occurred over a six month period in 2011. As part of the analysis a model of the change process and push-pull factors is offered. Findings – As a result of the change, all areas saw some improvement. Work-related injury statistics dropped significantly, supervisors were clear of their roles, actively monitoring their crews to ensure they worked in a safer manner than before, and staff were actively addressing work-place hazards. With the safety system in place the organisation should be deemed compliant and diligent by the state auditing authorities. This study has also shown that using contractor workers together with in-house workers that are managed under different safety regimes is problematic. The problems don’t occur due to the contractor\u27s safety systems being less robust than the parent company\u27s or that contract workers are themselves less safe; it is the added complexity of managing multiple safety regimes and the lack of trust of the robustness of each system that create conflict. Research limitations/implications – The paper reports on the change process of one mining organisation in Western Australia as a case study from a managerial sample and is thereby limited. Practical implications – This study demonstrates the difficulties in changing safety culture in an underground mining organisation. The paper argues the need for specialised training in identifying hazards by the staff, the mentoring of supervisory staff and the adoption of a robust safety system to support improved safety culture. Originality/value – There is little research conducted in the resources sector researching changes in human resource supply and OHS management, in particular moving from contracted labour to hiring in-house. This case provides an insight into how a change in staffing hiring arrangements, together with specific safety initiatives, has a positive impact on safety performance

Genomic tools in biological invasions: current state and future frontiers.

Acknowledgements: We wish to thank the Society for Molecular Biology and Evolution—the principal funder of the Regional Meeting on The Role of the Genome in Biological Invasion (Invasion Genomics), which was held in Hamilton, Aotearoa New Zealand from November 6–9, 2022. We also wish to thank Manaaki Whenua Landcare Research, Environmental Research Institute (Te Tumu Whakaora Taiao; The University of Waikato), Genomics Aotearoa, and The University of Waikato (Te Whare Wānanga o Waikato) for additional financial support associated with the meeting; and Portuguese National Funds (research contract 2020.00823.CEECIND/CP1601/CT0003 to A.C.). Finally, we thank all participants at the aforementioned regional meeting, who contributed thoughts and discussion that helped to shape this review.Human activities are accelerating rates of biological invasions and climate-driven range expansions globally, yet we understand little of how genomic processes facilitate the invasion process. Although most of the literature has focused on underlying phenotypic correlates of invasiveness, advances in genomic technologies are showing a strong link between genomic variation and invasion success. Here, we consider the ability of genomic tools and technologies to: (i) inform mechanistic understanding of biological invasions; and (ii) solve real-world issues in predicting and managing biological invasions. For both, we examine the current state of the field and discuss how genomics can be leveraged in the future. In addition, we make recommendations pertinent to broader research issues, such as data sovereignty, metadata standards, collaboration, and science communication best practices that will require concerted efforts from the global invasion genomics community

Genomic Tools in Biological Invasions: Current State and Future Frontiers

Acknowledgements: We wish to thank the Society for Molecular Biology and Evolution—the principal funder of the Regional Meeting on The Role of the Genome in Biological Invasion (Invasion Genomics), which was held in Hamilton, Aotearoa New Zealand from November 6–9, 2022. We also wish to thank Manaaki Whenua Landcare Research, Environmental Research Institute (Te Tumu Whakaora Taiao; The University of Waikato), Genomics Aotearoa, and The University of Waikato (Te Whare Wānanga o Waikato) for additional financial support associated with the meeting; and Portuguese National Funds (research contract 2020.00823.CEECIND/CP1601/CT0003 to A.C.). Finally, we thank all participants at the aforementioned regional meeting, who contributed thoughts and discussion that helped to shape this review.Human activities are accelerating rates of biological invasions and climate-driven range expansions globally, yet we understand little of how genomic processes facilitate the invasion process. Although most of the literature has focused on underlying phenotypic correlates of invasiveness, advances in genomic technologies are showing a strong link between genomic variation and invasion success. Here, we consider the ability of genomic tools and technologies to (i) inform mechanistic understanding of biological invasions and (ii) solve real-world issues in predicting and managing biological invasions. For both, we examine the current state of the field and discuss how genomics can be leveraged in the future. In addition, we make recommendations pertinent to broader research issues, such as data sovereignty, metadata standards, collaboration, and science communication best practices that will require concerted efforts from the global invasion genomics community

Genomic Tools in Biological Invasions: Current State and Future Frontiers

Acknowledgements: We wish to thank the Society for Molecular Biology and Evolution—the principal funder of the Regional Meeting on The Role of the Genome in Biological Invasion (Invasion Genomics), which was held in Hamilton, Aotearoa New Zealand from November 6–9, 2022. We also wish to thank Manaaki Whenua Landcare Research, Environmental Research Institute (Te Tumu Whakaora Taiao; The University of Waikato), Genomics Aotearoa, and The University of Waikato (Te Whare Wānanga o Waikato) for additional financial support associated with the meeting; and Portuguese National Funds (research contract 2020.00823.CEECIND/CP1601/CT0003 to A.C.). Finally, we thank all participants at the aforementioned regional meeting, who contributed thoughts and discussion that helped to shape this review.Human activities are accelerating rates of biological invasions and climate-driven range expansions globally, yet we understand little of how genomic processes facilitate the invasion process. Although most of the literature has focused on underlying phenotypic correlates of invasiveness, advances in genomic technologies are showing a strong link between genomic variation and invasion success. Here, we consider the ability of genomic tools and technologies to (i) inform mechanistic understanding of biological invasions and (ii) solve real-world issues in predicting and managing biological invasions. For both, we examine the current state of the field and discuss how genomics can be leveraged in the future. In addition, we make recommendations pertinent to broader research issues, such as data sovereignty, metadata standards, collaboration, and science communication best practices that will require concerted efforts from the global invasion genomics community

Genomic Tools in Biological Invasions: Current State and Future Frontiers

Acknowledgements: We wish to thank the Society for Molecular Biology and Evolution—the principal funder of the Regional Meeting on The Role of the Genome in Biological Invasion (Invasion Genomics), which was held in Hamilton, Aotearoa New Zealand from November 6–9, 2022. We also wish to thank Manaaki Whenua Landcare Research, Environmental Research Institute (Te Tumu Whakaora Taiao; The University of Waikato), Genomics Aotearoa, and The University of Waikato (Te Whare Wānanga o Waikato) for additional financial support associated with the meeting; and Portuguese National Funds (research contract 2020.00823.CEECIND/CP1601/CT0003 to A.C.). Finally, we thank all participants at the aforementioned regional meeting, who contributed thoughts and discussion that helped to shape this review.Human activities are accelerating rates of biological invasions and climate-driven range expansions globally, yet we understand little of how genomic processes facilitate the invasion process. Although most of the literature has focused on underlying phenotypic correlates of invasiveness, advances in genomic technologies are showing a strong link between genomic variation and invasion success. Here, we consider the ability of genomic tools and technologies to (i) inform mechanistic understanding of biological invasions and (ii) solve real-world issues in predicting and managing biological invasions. For both, we examine the current state of the field and discuss how genomics can be leveraged in the future. In addition, we make recommendations pertinent to broader research issues, such as data sovereignty, metadata standards, collaboration, and science communication best practices that will require concerted efforts from the global invasion genomics community

Genomic Tools in Biological Invasions: Current State and Future Frontiers

Acknowledgements: We wish to thank the Society for Molecular Biology and Evolution—the principal funder of the Regional Meeting on The Role of the Genome in Biological Invasion (Invasion Genomics), which was held in Hamilton, Aotearoa New Zealand from November 6–9, 2022. We also wish to thank Manaaki Whenua Landcare Research, Environmental Research Institute (Te Tumu Whakaora Taiao; The University of Waikato), Genomics Aotearoa, and The University of Waikato (Te Whare Wānanga o Waikato) for additional financial support associated with the meeting; and Portuguese National Funds (research contract 2020.00823.CEECIND/CP1601/CT0003 to A.C.). Finally, we thank all participants at the aforementioned regional meeting, who contributed thoughts and discussion that helped to shape this review.Human activities are accelerating rates of biological invasions and climate-driven range expansions globally, yet we understand little of how genomic processes facilitate the invasion process. Although most of the literature has focused on underlying phenotypic correlates of invasiveness, advances in genomic technologies are showing a strong link between genomic variation and invasion success. Here, we consider the ability of genomic tools and technologies to (i) inform mechanistic understanding of biological invasions and (ii) solve real-world issues in predicting and managing biological invasions. For both, we examine the current state of the field and discuss how genomics can be leveraged in the future. In addition, we make recommendations pertinent to broader research issues, such as data sovereignty, metadata standards, collaboration, and science communication best practices that will require concerted efforts from the global invasion genomics community

Genomic Tools in Biological Invasions: Current State and Future Frontiers

Acknowledgements: We wish to thank the Society for Molecular Biology and Evolution—the principal funder of the Regional Meeting on The Role of the Genome in Biological Invasion (Invasion Genomics), which was held in Hamilton, Aotearoa New Zealand from November 6–9, 2022. We also wish to thank Manaaki Whenua Landcare Research, Environmental Research Institute (Te Tumu Whakaora Taiao; The University of Waikato), Genomics Aotearoa, and The University of Waikato (Te Whare Wānanga o Waikato) for additional financial support associated with the meeting; and Portuguese National Funds (research contract 2020.00823.CEECIND/CP1601/CT0003 to A.C.). Finally, we thank all participants at the aforementioned regional meeting, who contributed thoughts and discussion that helped to shape this review.Human activities are accelerating rates of biological invasions and climate-driven range expansions globally, yet we understand little of how genomic processes facilitate the invasion process. Although most of the literature has focused on underlying phenotypic correlates of invasiveness, advances in genomic technologies are showing a strong link between genomic variation and invasion success. Here, we consider the ability of genomic tools and technologies to (i) inform mechanistic understanding of biological invasions and (ii) solve real-world issues in predicting and managing biological invasions. For both, we examine the current state of the field and discuss how genomics can be leveraged in the future. In addition, we make recommendations pertinent to broader research issues, such as data sovereignty, metadata standards, collaboration, and science communication best practices that will require concerted efforts from the global invasion genomics community

Genomic Tools in Biological Invasions: Current State and Future Frontiers

Acknowledgements: We wish to thank the Society for Molecular Biology and Evolution—the principal funder of the Regional Meeting on The Role of the Genome in Biological Invasion (Invasion Genomics), which was held in Hamilton, Aotearoa New Zealand from November 6–9, 2022. We also wish to thank Manaaki Whenua Landcare Research, Environmental Research Institute (Te Tumu Whakaora Taiao; The University of Waikato), Genomics Aotearoa, and The University of Waikato (Te Whare Wānanga o Waikato) for additional financial support associated with the meeting; and Portuguese National Funds (research contract 2020.00823.CEECIND/CP1601/CT0003 to A.C.). Finally, we thank all participants at the aforementioned regional meeting, who contributed thoughts and discussion that helped to shape this review.Human activities are accelerating rates of biological invasions and climate-driven range expansions globally, yet we understand little of how genomic processes facilitate the invasion process. Although most of the literature has focused on underlying phenotypic correlates of invasiveness, advances in genomic technologies are showing a strong link between genomic variation and invasion success. Here, we consider the ability of genomic tools and technologies to (i) inform mechanistic understanding of biological invasions and (ii) solve real-world issues in predicting and managing biological invasions. For both, we examine the current state of the field and discuss how genomics can be leveraged in the future. In addition, we make recommendations pertinent to broader research issues, such as data sovereignty, metadata standards, collaboration, and science communication best practices that will require concerted efforts from the global invasion genomics community