Whole-genome sequencing projects are increasingly populating the tree of life and characterizing biodiversity1–4. Sparse taxon sampling has previously been proposed to confound phylogenetic inference5, and captures only a fraction of the genomic diversity. Here we report a substantial step towards the dense representation of avian phylogenetic and molecular diversity, by analysing 363 genomes from 92.4% of bird families—including 267 newly sequenced genomes produced for phase II of the Bird 10,000 Genomes (B10K) Project. We use this comparative genome dataset in combination with a pipeline that leverages a reference-free whole-genome alignment to identify orthologous regions in greater numbers than has previously been possible and to recognize genomic novelties in particular bird lineages. The densely sampled alignment provides a single-base-pair map of selection, has more than doubled the fraction of bases that are confidently predicted to be under conservation and reveals extensive patterns of weak selection in predominantly non-coding DNA. Our results demonstrate that increasing the diversity of genomes used in comparative studies can reveal more shared and lineage-specific variation, and improve the investigation of genomic characteristics. We anticipate that this genomic resource will offer new perspectives on evolutionary processes in cross-species comparative analyses and assist in efforts to conserve species.

No abstract

BioOne Complete (complete.BioOne.org) is a full-text database of 200 subscribed and open-access titles in the biological, ecological, and environmental sciences published by nonprofit societies, associations, museums, institutions, and presses.

3.1.1 Kenya's biodive rsity Kenya is rich in biological diversity. Around 2!\IH'M species of animal and 7,01)0 plants have SO far been recorded, along with at least 2,000 fungi and bacteria i'MK i iJW 2j An unormous range or species inhabits the country's varied habitab. I' rum its crowded and colourful coral reefs to icy alpine moorland. The biology of the vast majority of these organism*, is little known. UndoubtedK m,mv species have not even been named vet bv science. Their value to Kenya's human population, as sources ol useful genes, as food or medicine, or as vital parts oi ecological systems., has bareh been studied. \\ hat is . lear. htm ever, is thai Kenya's biodiversih ]«under serious threat. An expanding population is putting severe pressure on the environment. Impoverished people are torced to use resources unsustamably. Natural habitats continue to be cleared and converted. Land is degraded and water polluted; ecosystems are damaged and their functions impaired. Without concerted and caretulh focused action, we are likely to lose much of Kenya's diversity of life. I he wider consequences of this car, onk he guessed at. 1 he resourceto Mippovt ,ii Hon are -carce. however. We need to know where our biodiversity is and what state it is in. Which sites and habitats are the most important, which are the most threatened, and which therefore require the most urgent attention:Kenya alread\ has an extensive protected area system. Over 10% of the country's land area is presently gazetted as National Parks, National Reserves or Forest Reserves. Should this not be sufficient to conserve ourbiodh ersity? L'ntortunalek, it is not Mam protected areas (especially Forest Reserves) lace -en DUB conservation problems despite their status. Also, verj few of Kenya's protected areas were chosen to conserve biodiversity as such. Our parks and reserves exist tor a variety of reason--. I and ^as set aside because it contained good populations of 'big game' (i.e. large mammals I that might attract visitors, because it protected water catchments, because it supported valuable timber tor exploitation, or simply because at the lime ver\ tew people wanted to Jive there. There is no reason why sites selected in this way should contain exceptionally rich or distinctive fauna and flora. To select the most important sites tor biodiversih conservation, we need to focus clearly on biodiversity to begin with.Unfortunately, assessing biodiversity is difficult, expensive and extremely time-consuming (e.g. Lawton el til. 1998). By the time we obtained adequate information, it would be too late to make use of it We need to find workable ways to short-cut the process b\ using the data we already have. One wa\ to do this is to locus on birds. Using birds to assess conservation prioritiesThis directory is a contribution to identifving Kenya'? biodiversity conservation priorities, The Important Bird Areas process uses birds to select keysites for conservation. Important bird Areas {IBAs) are sites of global biodiversity conservation importance ...

1. Citizen science is gaining increasing prominence as a tool for science and engagement. However, despite being a potentially valuable tool for sustainable development, citizen science has little visibility in many developing countries.2. We undertook a collaborative prioritisation process with experts in conservation and the environment to assess the potential of environmental citizen science in East Africa, including its opportunities, benefits and barriers. This provided principles that are applicable across developing countries, particularly for large-scale citizen science.3. We found that there was great potential for citizen science to add to our scientific knowledge of natural resources and biodiversity trends. Many of the important benefits of citizen science were for people, as well as the environment directly.Major barriers to citizen science were mostly social and institutional, although projects should also consider access to suitable technology and language barriers. 4. Policy implications. Citizen science can provide data to support decision-making and reporting against international targets. Participation can also provide societal benefits, informing and empowering people, thus supporting the United Nations'This is an open access article under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License, which permits use, distribution and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited.