2007 Handbooks

The biological diversity of the planet is rapidly being depleted by human actions that reduce species to sizes where they become susceptible to extinction due to chance effects (environmental, demographic and genetic stochasticity). This unit is concerned with the use of genetics to minimise extinction risk. The main genetic factors leading to extinction are inbreeding and loss of genetic diversity in small populations. This unit deals with the extent of genetic diversity, the forces affecting it, the effects of population size reduction on genetic diversity and reproductive fitness, means for genetically managing wild and captive populations of endangered animals and plants, the use of genetic markers (to resolve taxonomic uncertainties, in forensics and to reveal important aspects of species biology), plus the integration of genetic and ecological concerns in conservation.