Genetic diversity loss in the Anthropocene

Anthropogenic habitat loss and climate change are reducing species' geographic ranges, increasing extinction risk and losses of species' genetic diversity. Although preserving genetic diversity is key to maintaining species' adaptability, we lack predictive tools and global estimates of genetic diversity loss across ecosystems. We introduce a mathematical framework that bridges biodiversity theory and population genetics to understand the loss of naturally occurring DNA mutations with decreasing habitat. By analyzing genomic variation of 10,095 georeferenced individuals from 20 plant and animal species, we show that genome-wide diversity follows a mutations-area relationship power law with geographic area, which can predict genetic diversity loss from local population extinctions. We estimate that more than 10% of genetic diversity may already be lost for many threatened and nonthreatened species, surpassing the United Nations' post-2020 targets for genetic preservation.

Automated summary

Anthropogenic habitat loss and climate change are causing reduction in species' geographic ranges, increasing extinction risk, and loss of genetic diversity. Researchers have developed a mathematical framework that links biodiversity theory and population genetics to understand the loss of naturally occurring DNA mutations due to habitat loss. By analyzing genomic variation in 10,095 individuals from 20 plant and animal species, they found that genome-wide diversity follows a mutations-area relationship power law, which can predict genetic diversity loss from local population extinctions.