Identifying future research needs in landscape genetics: where to from here?

Landscape genetics is an emerging interdisciplinary field that combines methods and concepts from population genetics, landscape ecology, and spatial statistics. The interest in landscape genetics is steadily increasing, and the field is evolving rapidly. We here outline four major challenges for future landscape genetic research that were identified during an international landscape genetics workshop. These challenges include (1) the identification of appropriate spatial and temporal scales; (2) current analytical limitations; (3) the expansion of the current focus in landscape genetics; and (4) interdisciplinary communication and education. Addressing these research challenges will greatly improve landscape genetic applications, and positively contribute to the future growth of this promising field. Participants of the Landscape Genetics Research Agenda Workshop, held at the 2007 World Congress of the International Association of Landscape Ecologists (IALE), in Wageningen, The Netherlands: Paul Arens, Pascal Campagne, Virginia H. Dale, Alfredo G. Nicieza, Marinus J. M. Smulders, Edoardo Tedesco, Hongfang Wang, Tzeidle Wasserman.