How do habitat fragmentation and degradation affect genetic diversity in populations?

Habitat fragmentation and degradation can reduce genetic diversity in populations.

Habitat fragmentation and degradation can lead to the isolation of populations, which can result in reduced gene flow between populations. This can lead to genetic drift, where chance events can cause certain alleles to become more or less common in a population. Over time, this can reduce genetic diversity within a population.

Fragmentation can also lead to smaller population sizes, which can increase the effects of genetic drift and reduce genetic diversity. Small populations are also more vulnerable to inbreeding, which can lead to the expression of deleterious recessive alleles and reduce fitness.

Degradation of habitat can also reduce genetic diversity by reducing the availability of resources and limiting the size of populations. This can lead to increased competition for resources, which can further reduce genetic diversity.

Overall, habitat fragmentation and degradation can have significant impacts on genetic diversity in populations. Conservation efforts, such as habitat restoration and the creation of wildlife corridors, can help to mitigate these effects and maintain genetic diversity in populations.