The Journal of Phytopharmacology 2026; 15(1):70-73 ; DOI:10.31254/phyto.2026.15109
DNA barcoding: An important tool for biodiversity conservation
1. Associate Professor, Department of Botany, Kalindi College University of Delhi-110008, India
*Author to whom correspondence should be addressed.
Received: 23rd December, 2025 / Accepted: 23rd February, 2026 / Published : 30th March, 2026
The conservation of biodiversity has emerged as one of the most crucial scientific and societal issues of the 21st century, due to rapid habitat destruction, climate change, invasive species, pollution, and the unsustainable use of natural resources. The correct identification of species is crucial for effective conservation planning, ecological research, and environmental management. Traditional taxonomic approaches, which mainly depend on morphological features, can be time consuming, needs specialized knowledge, and may find difficult to differentiate between cryptic species or various life stages. In this scenario, DNA barcoding has appeared as an effective molecular tool that greatly improves biodiversity evaluation and conservation efforts. DNA barcoding is the process of identifying species by comparing sequences to reference databases using a brief, standardized section of DNA, most frequently the mitochondrial cytochrome c oxidase I (COI) gene in mammals, rbcL and matK in plants, and ITS in fungi. Even from little or deteriorated samples, this method allows for quick, precise, and economical species identification. Its use has revolutionized the documentation and monitoring of biodiversity. DNA barcoding continues to develop with advances in sequencing technologies and bioinformatics, despite certain constraints, such as insufficient reference libraries and difficulties in particular taxonomic groupings. It is an essential tool for contemporary conservation biology because of its increasing accessibility and dependability.
PCR, Identification of Species, Conservation
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Kumari K. DNA barcoding: An important tool for biodiversity conservation. J Phytopharmacol 2026; 15(1):70-73. doi: 10.31254/phyto.2026.15109
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