International Journal of Marine Science, 2025, Vol.15, No.2, 107-117 http://www.aquapublisher.com/index.php/ijms 115 8.2 Application of phylogenetic information in biodiversity conservation and ecological restoration Understanding algae diversity from a phylogenetic perspective can help guide biodiversity conservation. On the one hand, identifying key evolutionary branches (such as members of the genus phylum related to terrestrial plants) can focus on the protection of species with unique evolutionary status (Xue, 2022); on the other hand, the origin and distribution of specific ecological functions (such as nitrogen fixation, drug production) can be evaluated through phylogenetic trees, providing a basis for the diversity of conservation functions. In ecological restoration, algae lineage information can also play a role: when restoring damaged oceans and freshwater ecosystems, selecting algae species that are close to the phylogenetic development of the original ecological community can improve the recovery success rate. In addition, phylogenetic analysis can help prevent alien algae invasion: by assessing the potential risks of invasive algae by comparing with locally related species, developing targeted management strategies (Raimundo et al., 2018). 8.3 Provide an evolutionary basis for the development of algae biotechnology (such as biofuels, medicinal resources) Algae phylogenetic research has also pointed out the direction for biotechnology development. Understanding the evolutionary relationships between different groups can help screen algae species with specific traits. For example, the high-yield oil green algae or carbon-capturing dominant algae commonly used in the biofuel industry often originates from specific green algae lineages; the development of biologically active substances such as alginate and red algae polysaccharides in the medical and healthcare fields also relies on phylogenetic information to find new varieties (Landi and Esposito, 2020). Through comparative genomics, metabolic pathways and enzyme systems unique to certain groups can be discovered, and genetic engineering targeted transformation can be carried out. In addition, the mechanisms for algae to adapt to extreme environments (such as thermophilic or salty algae) are also of application value in the study of industrial enzymes and reversible environmental microorganisms. In short, algae phylogenetics provides a theoretical basis for the discovery and utilization of resource algae species, and promotes the application and development of algae in the fields of biofuels, drugs, environmental restoration, etc. Acknowledgments The authors thank Professor Li and the research team for their guidance and support during the writing of this paper, and also appreciates the reviewers' constructive comments. Conflict of Interest Disclosure The authors confirm that the study was conducted without any commercial or financial relationships and could be interpreted as a potential conflict of interest. References Brodie J., Ball S., Bouget F., Chan C., De Clerck O., Cock J., Gachon C., Grossman A., Mock T., Raven J., Saha M., Smith A., Vardi A., Yoon H., and Bhattacharya D., 2017, Biotic interactions as drivers of algal origin and evolution, The New Phytologist, 216(3): 670-681. https://doi.org/10.1111/nph.14760 Cabrera J., González P.M., and Puntarulo S.A., 2019, Oxidative effects of the harmful algal blooms on primary organisms of the food web, Repositorio Institucional CONICET Digital, 43(2): 41-50. Chan C., and Bhattacharya D., 2011, Plastid origin and evolution, Plant Physiology, 59(1): 491-517. https://doi.org/10.1002/9780470015902.A0023639 Dorrell R.G., Gile G., Mccallum G., Méheust R., Bapteste É.P., Klinger C.M., Brillet-Guéguen L., Freeman K., Richter D., and Bowler C., 2017, Chimeric origins of ochrophytes and haptophytes revealed through an ancient plastid proteome, eLife, 6: e23717. https://doi.org/10.7554/eLife.23717. Fang L., Leliaert F., Zhang Z., Penny D., and Zhong B., 2017, Evolution of the chlorophyta: insights from chloroplast phylogenomic analyses, Journal of Systematics and Evolution, 55(4): 322-332. https://doi.org/10.1111/jse.12248 Friedl T., and Rybalka N., 2012, Systematics of the green algae: a brief introduction to the current status, Springer Berlin Heidelberg, 2012: 259-280. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-642-22746-2_10 Fučíková K., Lewis P., and Lewis L., 2016, Chloroplast phylogenomic data from the green algal order Sphaeropleales (Chlorophyceae Chlorophyta) reveal complex patterns of sequence evolution, Molecular Phylogenetics and Evolution, 98: 176-183. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ympev.2016.01.022
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