title: Current stewardship practices in invasion biology limit the value and secondary use of genomic data

authors: Vaughan, Amy L.

subjects: biological invasion

abstract: Invasive species threaten native biota, putting fragile ecosystems at risk and having a large-scale impact on primary industries. Growing trade networks and the popularity of personal travel make incursions a more frequent risk, one only compounded by global climate change. With increasing publication of whole-genome sequences lies an opportunity for cross-species assessment of invasive potential. However, the degree to which published sequences are accompanied by satisfactory spatiotemporal data is unclear. We assessed the metadata associated with 199 whole-genome assemblies of 89 invasive terrestrial invertebrate species and found that only 38% of these were derived from field-collected samples. Seventy-six assemblies (38%) reported an ‘undescribed’ sample origin and, while further examination of associated literature closed this gap to 23.6%, an absence of spatial data remained for 47 of the total assemblies. Of the 76 assemblies that were ultimately determined to be field-collected, associated metadata relevant for invasion studies was predominantly lacking: only 35% (27 assemblies) provided granular location data, and 33% (n = 25) lacked sufficient collection date information. Our results support recent calls for standardized metadata in genome sequencing data submissions, highlighting the impact of missing metadata on current research in invasion biology (and likely other fields). Notably, large-scale consortia tended to provide the most complete metadata submissions in our analysis—such cross-institutional collaborations can foster a culture of increased adherence to improved metadata submission standards and a standard of metadata stewardship that enables reuse of genomes in invasion science.

text: Current stewardship practices in invasion biology limit the value and secondary use of genomic data Invasive species threaten native biota, putting fragile ecosystems at risk and having a large-scale impact on primary industries. Growing trade networks and the popularity of personal travel make incursions a more frequent risk, one only compounded by global climate change. With increasing publication of whole-genome sequences lies an opportunity for cross-species assessment of invasive potential. However, the degree to which published sequences are accompanied by satisfactory spatiotemporal data is unclear. We assessed the metadata associated with 199 whole-genome assemblies of 89 invasive terrestrial invertebrate species and found that only 38% of these were derived from field-collected samples. Seventy-six assemblies (38%) reported an ‘undescribed’ sample origin and, while further examination of associated literature closed this gap to 23.6%, an absence of spatial data remained for 47 of the total assemblies. Of the 76 assemblies that were ultimately determined to be field-collected, associated metadata relevant for invasion studies was predominantly lacking: only 35% (27 assemblies) provided granular location data, and 33% (n = 25) lacked sufficient collection date information. Our results support recent calls for standardized metadata in genome sequencing data submissions, highlighting the impact of missing metadata on current research in invasion biology (and likely other fields). Notably, large-scale consortia tended to provide the most complete metadata submissions in our analysis—such cross-institutional collaborations can foster a culture of increased adherence to improved metadata submission standards and a standard of metadata stewardship that enables reuse of genomes in invasion science.

year: 2023

title: Social conceptions versus legal protections of privacy and information security in the context of encryption

authors: Dizon, Michael

abstract: This article examines the disconnect between people’s social conceptions of privacy and information security in relation to encryption vis-à-vis the legal protections offered by law. It describes the social conceptions and expectations of participants based in New Zealand and contrasts these with the applicable laws and legal protections concerning privacy, information security and encryption. In light of incongruence between the social and the legal, the article recommends law and policy developments to better align and connect people’s social conceptions of privacy and information security with the legal protections provided by law. This includes having greater awareness of the relevance of civil and criminal procedure rights to privacy and information security in the context of encryption and providing stronger legal protections to the right against unreasonable search and seizure and the privilege against self-incrimination.

text: Social conceptions versus legal protections of privacy and information security in the context of encryption This article examines the disconnect between people’s social conceptions of privacy and information security in relation to encryption vis-à-vis the legal protections offered by law. It describes the social conceptions and expectations of participants based in New Zealand and contrasts these with the applicable laws and legal protections concerning privacy, information security and encryption. In light of incongruence between the social and the legal, the article recommends law and policy developments to better align and connect people’s social conceptions of privacy and information security with the legal protections provided by law. This includes having greater awareness of the relevance of civil and criminal procedure rights to privacy and information security in the context of encryption and providing stronger legal protections to the right against unreasonable search and seizure and the privilege against self-incrimination.

year: 2022

title: Te ahunga atu ki ngā ōhanga oranga Māori: Towards Māori economies of wellbeing - Ngā whānau i te pokapū o te oranga

authors: Spiller, Chellie

abstract: Nau mai ki tēnei kohinga o ngā whakaaro me ngā tikanga e pā ana ki te oranga ohaoha Māori. Ko tō mātou kaupapa matua ko te whānau; e hiahia ana mātou ki te whakaatu i ngā huarahi ki te ora pai mō te whānau i roto i ngā horopaki ohaoha. Ko te ao Māori tō mātou tūāpapa. E whakakao ana tēnei pukapuka i te huhua o ngā reo me ngā tirohanga nō te ao Māori, me ētahi atu wheako e hāngai ana. Kua kotahi mātou ki raro i te taumarumaru o te kaupapa tūturu kotahi: arā, te oranga pai mō ngā whānau. Ko te tūmanako ka tautoko, ka whakaohooho anō hoki tēnei pukapuka i ngā tāngata kia hōhonu atu tā rātou hono ki tēnei kaupapa whaitake, kia whai māramatanga whaihua hoki rātou.

Welcome to this collection of thoughts and practices related to Māori economic life. Our primary focus is the whānau; we want to show ways to live well for the whānau in economic contexts. Our foundation is te ao Māori. This book brings together many voices and perspectives from the Māori world and other relevant experiences. We are united in one true purpose: the good livelihood of whānau. We hope this book will support and inspire people to connect more deeply with this critical topic and gain valuable insights.

text: Te ahunga atu ki ngā ōhanga oranga Māori: Towards Māori economies of wellbeing - Ngā whānau i te pokapū o te oranga Nau mai ki tēnei kohinga o ngā whakaaro me ngā tikanga e pā ana ki te oranga ohaoha Māori. Ko tō mātou kaupapa matua ko te whānau; e hiahia ana mātou ki te whakaatu i ngā huarahi ki te ora pai mō te whānau i roto i ngā horopaki ohaoha. Ko te ao Māori tō mātou tūāpapa. E whakakao ana tēnei pukapuka i te huhua o ngā reo me ngā tirohanga nō te ao Māori, me ētahi atu wheako e hāngai ana. Kua kotahi mātou ki raro i te taumarumaru o te kaupapa tūturu kotahi: arā, te oranga pai mō ngā whānau. Ko te tūmanako ka tautoko, ka whakaohooho anō hoki tēnei pukapuka i ngā tāngata kia hōhonu atu tā rātou hono ki tēnei kaupapa whaitake, kia whai māramatanga whaihua hoki rātou.

Welcome to this collection of thoughts and practices related to Māori economic life. Our primary focus is the whānau; we want to show ways to live well for the whānau in economic contexts. Our foundation is te ao Māori. This book brings together many voices and perspectives from the Māori world and other relevant experiences. We are united in one true purpose: the good livelihood of whānau. We hope this book will support and inspire people to connect more deeply with this critical topic and gain valuable insights.

year: 2025