KINE 2011 Chapter Notes - Chapter 2.2: Zygosity, Microevolution, Habitat Destruction
22 Oct 2017
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Document Summary
Metapopulations: explain how knowledge of interactions can help conservation work. Metapopulation: group of interbreeding individuals that are all the same species. They are smaller, independent populations connected by migrants. Many species are forced into metapopulations because of habitat destruction. Risks to biodiversity: habitat loss and fragmentation, overharvesting. Introduced species: apply knowledge of island biogeography theory , metapopulations & habitat fragmentation to design a protective habitat. Small populations are subject to genetic drift and can lead to reduced genetic diversity by losing or fixing alleles causing the small population to become even smaller. If populations are so small they eventually will start inbreeding, which causes inbreeding depression and a loss of heterozygote advantages, which further decreases fitness. Genetic diversity is very important because then evolution can act on it and select for adaptations that help the population survive harsh conditions that would otherwise wipe them out.
