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Join Marlien van der Merwe, Senior Scientific Officer at the Research Centre for Ecosystem Resilience, Botanic Gardens of Sydney, for an engaging conversation about conservation genomics, genetic diversity and the future of ecosystem restoration.
About the Speaker:
Marlien van der Merwe is a Senior Scientific Officer specialising in restoration and conservation genomics at the Royal Botanic Garden Sydney's Research Centre for Ecosystem Resilience. Her work focuses on repairing damaged and degraded ecosystems and ensuring their self-sustainability for future generations.
Marlien is involved in a range of projects, including Restore and Renew, as well as developing guidelines to maximise genetic representativeness in germplasm collections. Her research uses genetic data to understand past ecological processes and inform future restoration and conservation strategies.
A key focus of Marlien's work is maintaining genetic diversity. Over thousands of years, biological diversity has accumulated, and maintaining this diversity is essential for ecosystem function and the ability of species and ecosystems to adapt to future environmental change.
Her work spans data analysis, scientific research and collaboration with field workers, alongside applying research findings to practical restoration and conservation activities. She is also fascinated by the intricate relationships between plants and other organisms, including the complex world of plant microbiomes.
Marlien's passion for plants and biodiversity extends beyond her research. One of her memorable discoveries was learning that Fritillaria meleagris, a small bulbous plant, possesses one of the largest genomes among flowering plants. For Marlien, its remarkable biology is a reminder of the extraordinary diversity of life and the importance of protecting genetic diversity for the future.
Through her research and practical conservation work, Marlien is helping develop new approaches to preserving biodiversity and creating healthier, more resilient ecosystems for generations to come.
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