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Molecular tools are increasingly applied for assessing and monitoring biodiversity and informing conservation action. While recent developments in genetic and genomic methods provide greater sensitivity in analysis and the capacity to address new questions, they are not equally available to all practitioners: There is considerable bias across institutions and countries in access to technologies, funding, and training. Consequently, in many cases, more accessible traditional genetic data (e.g., microsatellites) are still utilized for making conservation decisions. Conservation approaches need to be pragmatic by tackling clearly defined management questions and using the most appropriate methods available, while maximizing the use of limited resources. Here we present some key questions to consider when applying the molecular toolbox for accessible and actionable conservation management. Finally, we highlight a number of important steps to be addressed in a collaborative way, which can facilitate the broad integration of molecular data into conservation., Molecular tools are increasingly applied for assessing and monitoring biodiversity and informing conservation action. While recent developments in genetic and genomic methods provide greater sensitivity in analysis and the capacity to address new questions, they are not equally available to all practitioners: There is considerable bias across institutions and countries in access to technologies, funding, and training. Consequently, in many cases, more accessible traditional genetic data (e.g., microsatellites) are still utilized for making conservation decisions. Conservation approaches need to be pragmatic by tackling clearly defined management questions and using the most appropriate methods available, while maximizing the use of limited resources. Here we present some key questions to consider when applying the molecular toolbox for accessible and actionable conservation management. Finally, we highlight a number of important steps to be addressed in a collaborative way, which can facilitate the broad integration of molecular data into conservation.

This editorial summarizes the 10-year of history and main achievements of the Centro de Investigación de la Biodiversidad y Cambio Climático (BioCamb), of the Universidad Tecnológica Indoamérica (UTI). BioCamb was created on July 15, 2011, to help to know the biological diversity of Ecuador, including its interrelation with the human beings. More than 140 articles have been published in journals indexed in Scopus, in collaboration with researchers of 48 countries from 412 institutions. BioCamb's work has focused on Ecuador and the Andes and has described 53 new species. BioCamb, in conjunction with the School of Environmental Sciences, has launched the Engineering in Biodiversity and Genetic Resources, and the master's degrees in Biodiversity and Climate Change and in Environmental Management. In addition, the center has promoted citizen science, organizing BioBlitz’s and the Urban Nature Challenge in Quito, as well as with community work within research and academic projects and outreach society. In this way, BioCamb has managed to integrate the three substantive functions in higher education, teaching, research, and outreach, and has provided knowledge and professionals who work for the sustainable development of Ecuador and the conservation of its biodiversity., Este editorial resume los 10 años de historia y los principales logros del Centro de Investigación de la Biodiversidad y Cambio Climático (BioCamb), de la Universidad Tecnológica Indoamérica. El BioCamb fue creado el 15 de julio del 2011, en respuesta a la necesidad de conocer la diversidad biológica del Ecuador, incluyendo su interrelación con el ser humano. Estos años ha publicado más de 140 artículos en revistas indexadas en Scopus con investigadores de 48 países, de 412 instituciones. Estas investigaciones se han centrado en Ecuador y en los Andes y han descrito 53 nuevas especies. El BioCamb, con la Facultad de Ciencias del Medio Ambiente, puso en marcha la Ingeniería en Biodiversidad y Recursos Genéticos, y las maestrías en Biodiversidad y Cambio Climático y en Gestión Ambiental. Además, ha impulsado la ciencia ciudadana, organizando, varios BioBlitz y el Desafío Naturaleza Urbana, y trabajos comunitarios integrados en proyectos de investigación o a través de la vinculación con la sociedad. El BioCamb ha conseguido integrar las tres funciones sustantivas de la educación superior, docencia, investigación y vinculación con la sociedad, aportando con conocimiento y profesionales que trabajen por el desarrollo sostenible de Ecuador y la conservación de su biodiversidad.

INTRODUCTION. Ecuador is one of the most biodiverse countries in the world, thus the study of its diversity is a world priority. On March 16, 2020, the Ecuadorian government decreed a state of emergency, mobility restriction, suspension of the working day and closure of borders in the national territory as protection and mitigation measures in the face of the declaration of pandemic because of the COVID-19 disease. These resolutions had a direct effect on the development and progress of biodiversity studies in the country. OBJECTIVE. The aim of this research is to assess the effects of measures to tackle COVID-19 into the development of research related to the biodiversity of Ecuador. METHOD. We used quantitative methodology. A survey of 14 questions was carried out to 130 researchers within this field of study. The questionnaire was anonymous and distributed by email and social media. RESULTS. Until the time of publication, researchers are mostly carrying out scientific activities, such as writing papers (56%) and data analysis (61%). However, they project budget (55%) and scientific production reduction (46%). If we analyze the expected scientific production by gender, women anticipated to publish less (58%) than men (36%). Furthermore, up to 25% of researchers have considered ceasing the activities of their research project before its completion and this trend is higher in the case of graduate students (52%). DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSIONS. Our survey identifies an environment of uncertainty among researchers, in which a reduction in scientific production is expected, possibly affecting more women and students., INTRODUÇÃO. O Equador é um dos países mais biodiversos do mundo e, portanto, o estudo de sua diversidade é uma prioridade. Em 16 de março de 2020, o governoequatoriano decretou estado de emergência, restrição de mobilidade, suspensão do dia útil e fechamento de fronteiras no territórionacional como medidas de proteção e mitigação diante da declaração de pandemia por doença de COVID-19. A adoção dessas resoluções teve um efeito direto no desenvolvimento e progresso dos estudos sobre biodiversidade no país.OBJECTIVO. Esta pesquisa procura avaliar como a COVID-19 afetou os estudos relacionados à biodiversidade desenvolvidos no Equador. MÉTODO.Foi utilizada metodologia quantitativa. Um questionário de 14 perguntas foi respondido por 130 pesquisadores. O questionário era anônimo e foi divulgado por e-mail e redes sociais.RESULTADOS.Até o momento da publicação, amaioria depesquisadores estão, desenvolvendo atividades científicascomo redação de artigos (56%) e análise de dados (61%). No entanto, nossos resultados mostram uma redução nos orçamentos(55%)e na produção científica(46%). Se analisarmos a produção científica esperada por gênero, as mulheres esperam publicar menos (58%) do que os homens (36%). Até 25% dos pesquisadores consideraram cessar as atividades de seu projeto de pesquisa antes de sua conclusão, e essa tendência é maior no caso de estudantes de pós-graduação (52%). DISCUSSÃO E CONCLUSÕES.Nossa pesquisa identifica um ambiente de incertezaentre os pesquisadores, no qual é esperadauma redução na produção científica, possivelmente afetando mais mulheres e estudantes., INTRODUCCIÓN. El Ecuador es uno de los países más biodiversos del mundo por lo que el estudio de su diversidad es de prioridad mundial. El 16 de marzo de 2020 el gobierno ecuatoriano decretó el estado de excepción, restricción de movilidad, suspensión de la jornada laboral y cierre de fronteras en el territorio nacional como medidas de protección y mitigación ante la declaratoria de pandemia por la enfermedad del COVID-19. La toma de estas resoluciones tuvo un efecto directo en el desarrollo y avance de estudios de la biodiversidad en el país. OBJETIVO. Esta investigación busca evaluar los efectos de las medidas para enfrentar el COVID-19 en el desarrollo de investigaciones relacionadas a la biodiversidad del Ecuador. MÉTODO. Se empleó metodología cuantitativa. Se realizó un cuestionario de 14 preguntas a 130 investigadores dentro de este campo de estudio. El cuestionario fue anónimo y difundido por email y redes sociales. RESULTADOS. Hasta el momento de publicación, los investigadores se encuentran realizando en su mayoría actividades científicas, tales como escritura (56%) y análisis de datos (61%). Sin embargo, proyectan una reducción de presupuestos (55%) y producción científica (46%). Si analizamos la producción científica esperada por género, las mujeres esperan publicar menos (58%) que los hombres (36%) Hasta un 25% de los investigadores han considerado cesar las actividades de su proyecto de investigación antes de su culminación y esta tendencia es mayor en el caso de estudiantes de posgrado (52%). DISCUSIÓN Y CONCLUSIONES. Nuestra encuesta identifica un ambiente de incertidumbre entre los investigadores, en el que se espera una reducción en la producción científica, que posiblemente afecte en mayor medida a mujeres y a estudiantes.