# Molecular Passports for Ex Situ Seed Donors: Enhanced Genetic Monitoring for Plant Conservation

## TL;DR

Molecular passports can improve genetic monitoring of ex situ seed collections to better preserve plant genetic diversity for conservation.

## Contribution

Introduces molecular passports as a standardized genetic monitoring tool for ex situ seed donor populations.

## Key findings

- Molecular passports can identify gaps in genetic preservation efforts.
- They enable tracking of evolutionary processes affecting genetic variation.
- They support optimized resource allocation for plant conservation.

## Abstract

To maintain evolutionary potential, genetic diversity, the raw material upon which natural selection acts, must be conserved. As such, ex situ seed collections remain invaluable repositories of genetic diversity. However, questions remain regarding the degree to which collections preserve genetic diversity. A molecular passport, a genetic record sampled from an individual, geo‐referenced maternal seed donor, can complement traditional passport data maintained within an ex situ seed collection. The molecular passport provides an opportunity to standardise genetic monitoring of seed donors for species of concern and can identify gaps in preservation efforts, ensuring optimised allocation of resources associated with expanding conservation efforts. Molecular passports associated with seed donor populations enable tracking of demographic, neutral and non‐neutral evolutionary processes that have influenced standing genetic variation, can quantify genetic metrics for conservation decision‐making, and identify redundancies or confirm taxonomic identities critical to conservation efforts. Ultimately, the molecular passport can improve our ability to monitor and effectively preserve genetic variation for species at risk, turning a static resource into an actionable conservation decision‐making tool.