Abstract
Anthropogenic activities are increasing habitat fragmentation, as well as the number of threatened and endangered species. Thus, isolated fragments with natural remnant stands, or in situ or ex situ endangered species rescue populations, are on the rise. The most common method for assessing the “conservation health” of such populations is to determine or estimate the census size. However, while it is known that the census size of a population does not always correlate with its genetic diversity, methods for modeling how different factors can drive variation in the relationship of census size to genetic diversity in plant populations are needed. Here we use the computer program NEWGARDEN to investigate how the relationship of stand size versus genetic diversity (measured as both the percent of the founding alleles retained and FIT) can be extremely variable depending on founder number, founder density, and gene dispersal distances. Populations of endangered species that appear to have the same conservation health in terms of similar population numbers may differ greatly in their conservation health as indicated by the genetic diversity they retain. NEWGARDEN can be used to explore how different founding and intra- or interspecific life history characteristics can affect genetic diversity relative to census size. If proper historical data exist, NEWGARDEN can also be used to estimate the percent of founding genetic diversity remaining in a given stand.
Highlights
The protection of endangered plants includes maintaining viable populations while preserving their genetic diversity
We use the computer program NEWGARDEN to investigate how the relationship of stand size versus genetic diversity can be extremely variable depending on founder number, founder density, and gene dispersal distances
In the processes of fragmentation or initiation of endangered species rescue populations, populations beginning with the same number of founders can develop along many different population size change and genetic diversity trajectories, depending on gene dispersal characteristics
Summary
The protection of endangered plants includes maintaining viable populations while preserving their genetic diversity. In situ and ex situ restoration or rescue populations will often share these characteristics. Such small populations are especially susceptible to loss of genetic diversity via random genetic drift and inbreeding. The latter two processes may drive reduced fitness for individuals and populations due to inbreeding depression and genostasis (decline of genetic variability resulting in a loss of potential evolutionary responses) [1]. The monitoring and maintenance of genetic diversity in populations of endangered species are highly recommended [2]
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