The long‐standing significance of genetic diversity in conservation

Since allozymes were first used to assess genetic diversity in the 1960s and 1970s, biologists have attempted to characterize gene pools and conserve the diversity observed in domestic crops, livestock, zoos and (more recently) natural populations. Recently, some authors have claimed that the import...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Molecular ecology Vol. 30; no. 17; pp. 4147 - 4154
Main Authors: DeWoody, J. Andrew, Harder, Avril M., Mathur, Samarth, Willoughby, Janna R.
Format: Journal Article
Language:English
Published: Oxford Blackwell Publishing Ltd 01.09.2021
Subjects:
allozymes
Anthropocene
Anthropocene epoch
Biodiversity
Conservation
Conservation biology
conservation genetics
Ecosystem conservation
Evolution
genes
Genetic diversity
genetic variation
Isoenzymes
Livestock
Natural populations
population genetics – empirical
population genetics – theoretical
Populations
Strategic management
wildlife management
ISSN:0962-1083, 1365-294X, 1365-294X
Online Access:Get full text
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Summary:Since allozymes were first used to assess genetic diversity in the 1960s and 1970s, biologists have attempted to characterize gene pools and conserve the diversity observed in domestic crops, livestock, zoos and (more recently) natural populations. Recently, some authors have claimed that the importance of genetic diversity in conservation biology has been greatly overstated. Here, we argue that a voluminous literature indicates otherwise. We address four main points made by detractors of genetic diversity's role in conservation by using published literature to firmly establish that genetic diversity is intimately tied to evolutionary fitness, and that the associated demographic consequences are of paramount importance to many conservation efforts. We think that responsible management in the Anthropocene should, whenever possible, include the conservation of ecosystems, communities, populations and individuals, and their underlying genetic diversity.
Bibliography:Funding information
JAD was supported in part by USDA‐NIFA.
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ISSN:0962-1083
1365-294X
1365-294X
DOI:10.1111/mec.16051