Global Study Reveals Genetic Diversity Decline, Highlights Conservation Successes

Two-thirds of species show declining genetic diversity, but targeted conservation efforts are reversing some losses.

A landmark study published in Nature analyzed genetic diversity trends in 628 species over three decades, revealing widespread declines in two-thirds of populations studied.
Researchers found that habitat loss, climate change, and other human-driven disturbances are key drivers of genetic diversity loss, even in some non-threatened species.
Conservation actions, such as species translocations, habitat restoration, and pest control, have successfully maintained or increased genetic diversity in several cases, including arctic foxes and golden bandicoots.
The study underscores the importance of genetic diversity for species' adaptability to environmental changes and highlights the need for expanded conservation efforts.
Scientists call for more proactive, genetically informed conservation strategies to mitigate further biodiversity loss and protect ecosystem resilience.