Global meta-analysis shows action is needed to halt genetic diversity loss

Robyn E. Shaw, Katherine A. Farquharson, Michael W. Bruford, David J. Coates, Carole P. Elliott, Joachim Mergeay, Kym M. Ottewell, Gernot Segelbacher, Sean Hoban, Christina Hvilsom, Sílvia Pérez-Espona, Dainis Ruņģis, Filippos Aravanopoulos, Laura D. Bertola, Helena Cotrim, Karen Cox, Vlatka Cubric-Curik, Robert Ekblom, José A. Godoy, Maciej K. Konopiński, Linda Laikre, Isa-Rita M. Russo, Nevena Veličković, Philippine Vergeer, Carles Vilà, Vladimir Brajkovic, David L. Field, William P. Goodall-Copestake, Frank Hailer, Tara Hopley, Frank E. Zachos, Paulo C. Alves, Aleksandra Biedrzycka, Rachel M. Binks, Joukje Buiteveld, Elena Buzan, Margaret Byrne, Barton Huntley, Laura Iacolina, Naomi L. P. Keehnen, Peter Klinga, Alexander Kopatz, Sara Kurland, Jennifer A. Leonard, Chiara Manfrin, Alexis Marchesini, Melissa A. Millar, Pablo Orozco-terWengel, Jente Ottenburghs, Diana Posledovich, Peter B. Spencer, Nikolaos Tourvas, Tina Unuk Nahberger, Pim Hooft, Rita Verbylaite, Cristiano Vernesi and Catherine E. Grueber ()
Additional contact information
Robyn E. Shaw: International Union for the Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Conservation Genetics Specialist Group (CGSG)
Katherine A. Farquharson: The University of Sydney
Michael W. Bruford: International Union for the Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Conservation Genetics Specialist Group (CGSG)
David J. Coates: International Union for the Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Conservation Genetics Specialist Group (CGSG)
Carole P. Elliott: International Union for the Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Conservation Genetics Specialist Group (CGSG)
Joachim Mergeay: International Union for the Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Conservation Genetics Specialist Group (CGSG)
Kym M. Ottewell: International Union for the Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Conservation Genetics Specialist Group (CGSG)
Gernot Segelbacher: International Union for the Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Conservation Genetics Specialist Group (CGSG)
Sean Hoban: International Union for the Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Conservation Genetics Specialist Group (CGSG)
Christina Hvilsom: International Union for the Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Conservation Genetics Specialist Group (CGSG)
Sílvia Pérez-Espona: International Union for the Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Conservation Genetics Specialist Group (CGSG)
Dainis Ruņģis: European Cooperation in Science and Technology (COST), COST Action CA 18134 ‘Genomic Biodiversity Knowledge for Resilient Ecosystems (G-BiKE)’
Filippos Aravanopoulos: Aristotle University of Thessaloniki
Laura D. Bertola: International Union for the Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Conservation Genetics Specialist Group (CGSG)
Helena Cotrim: European Cooperation in Science and Technology (COST), COST Action CA 18134 ‘Genomic Biodiversity Knowledge for Resilient Ecosystems (G-BiKE)’
Karen Cox: Research Institute for Nature and Forest
Vlatka Cubric-Curik: European Cooperation in Science and Technology (COST), COST Action CA 18134 ‘Genomic Biodiversity Knowledge for Resilient Ecosystems (G-BiKE)’
Robert Ekblom: International Union for the Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Conservation Genetics Specialist Group (CGSG)
José A. Godoy: International Union for the Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Conservation Genetics Specialist Group (CGSG)
Maciej K. Konopiński: European Cooperation in Science and Technology (COST), COST Action CA 18134 ‘Genomic Biodiversity Knowledge for Resilient Ecosystems (G-BiKE)’
Linda Laikre: International Union for the Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Conservation Genetics Specialist Group (CGSG)
Isa-Rita M. Russo: International Union for the Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Conservation Genetics Specialist Group (CGSG)
Nevena Veličković: European Cooperation in Science and Technology (COST), COST Action CA 18134 ‘Genomic Biodiversity Knowledge for Resilient Ecosystems (G-BiKE)’
Philippine Vergeer: International Union for the Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Conservation Genetics Specialist Group (CGSG)
Carles Vilà: European Cooperation in Science and Technology (COST), COST Action CA 18134 ‘Genomic Biodiversity Knowledge for Resilient Ecosystems (G-BiKE)’
Vladimir Brajkovic: University of Zagreb Faculty of Agriculture
David L. Field: Macquarie University
William P. Goodall-Copestake: Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh
Frank Hailer: International Union for the Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Conservation Genetics Specialist Group (CGSG)
Tara Hopley: Royal Botanic Gardens Victoria
Frank E. Zachos: European Cooperation in Science and Technology (COST), COST Action CA 18134 ‘Genomic Biodiversity Knowledge for Resilient Ecosystems (G-BiKE)’
Paulo C. Alves: European Cooperation in Science and Technology (COST), COST Action CA 18134 ‘Genomic Biodiversity Knowledge for Resilient Ecosystems (G-BiKE)’
Aleksandra Biedrzycka: European Cooperation in Science and Technology (COST), COST Action CA 18134 ‘Genomic Biodiversity Knowledge for Resilient Ecosystems (G-BiKE)’
Rachel M. Binks: Department of Biodiversity, Conservation and Attractions
Joukje Buiteveld: European Cooperation in Science and Technology (COST), COST Action CA 18134 ‘Genomic Biodiversity Knowledge for Resilient Ecosystems (G-BiKE)’
Elena Buzan: European Cooperation in Science and Technology (COST), COST Action CA 18134 ‘Genomic Biodiversity Knowledge for Resilient Ecosystems (G-BiKE)’
Margaret Byrne: Department of Biodiversity, Conservation and Attractions
Barton Huntley: Department of Biodiversity, Conservation and Attractions
Laura Iacolina: European Cooperation in Science and Technology (COST), COST Action CA 18134 ‘Genomic Biodiversity Knowledge for Resilient Ecosystems (G-BiKE)’
Naomi L. P. Keehnen: Stockholm University
Peter Klinga: European Cooperation in Science and Technology (COST), COST Action CA 18134 ‘Genomic Biodiversity Knowledge for Resilient Ecosystems (G-BiKE)’
Alexander Kopatz: International Union for the Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Conservation Genetics Specialist Group (CGSG)
Sara Kurland: Stockholm University
Jennifer A. Leonard: Estación Biológica de Doñana (EBD-CSIC)
Chiara Manfrin: University of Trieste
Alexis Marchesini: European Cooperation in Science and Technology (COST), COST Action CA 18134 ‘Genomic Biodiversity Knowledge for Resilient Ecosystems (G-BiKE)’
Melissa A. Millar: Department of Biodiversity, Conservation and Attractions
Pablo Orozco-terWengel: International Union for the Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Conservation Genetics Specialist Group (CGSG)
Jente Ottenburghs: Wageningen University
Diana Posledovich: Stockholm University
Peter B. Spencer: Murdoch University
Nikolaos Tourvas: Aristotle University of Thessaloniki
Tina Unuk Nahberger: Slovenian Forestry Institute
Pim Hooft: Wageningen University
Rita Verbylaite: European Cooperation in Science and Technology (COST), COST Action CA 18134 ‘Genomic Biodiversity Knowledge for Resilient Ecosystems (G-BiKE)’
Cristiano Vernesi: International Union for the Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Conservation Genetics Specialist Group (CGSG)
Catherine E. Grueber: International Union for the Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Conservation Genetics Specialist Group (CGSG)

Nature, 2025, vol. 638, issue 8051, 704-710

Abstract: Abstract Mitigating loss of genetic diversity is a major global biodiversity challenge1–4. To meet recent international commitments to maintain genetic diversity within species5,6, we need to understand relationships between threats, conservation management and genetic diversity change. Here we conduct a global analysis of genetic diversity change via meta-analysis of all available temporal measures of genetic diversity from more than three decades of research. We show that within-population genetic diversity is being lost over timescales likely to have been impacted by human activities, and that some conservation actions may mitigate this loss. Our dataset includes 628 species (animals, plants, fungi and chromists) across all terrestrial and most marine realms on Earth. Threats impacted two-thirds of the populations that we analysed, and less than half of the populations analysed received conservation management. Genetic diversity loss occurs globally and is a realistic prediction for many species, especially birds and mammals, in the face of threats such as land use change, disease, abiotic natural phenomena and harvesting or harassment. Conservation strategies designed to improve environmental conditions, increase population growth rates and introduce new individuals (for example, restoring connectivity or performing translocations) may maintain or even increase genetic diversity. Our findings underscore the urgent need for active, genetically informed conservation interventions to halt genetic diversity loss.

Date: 2025
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DOI: 10.1038/s41586-024-08458-x

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