Bio 280 - Genetically Vigorous Populations

Genetically Vigorous Populations

BIO280

April 29, 2016

        Genetic diversity in populations helps determine evolutionary potential among species. Populations must be able to adapt and change as the world changes, and the species with the greatest biodiversity are more likely to evolve than those with less biodiversity (Hunter Jr. & Gibbs, 2007, Chapter 5). There are many things that can affect a population’s biodiversity. Some are naturally occurring and others are purely because of human interference. Conservation biologists study biodiversity to determine what can be done to increase a population’s biodiversity to help the species to not become extinct.                

        One way of determining a population’s biodiversity is by studying a series of quantitative values pertaining to that specific population (Hunter Jr. & Gibbs, 2007, Chapter 5). For example, if a conservation biologist is studying a type of rose bush, they might look for things like the size of the bloom, it’s hardiness in different types of weather, the amount of water it needs to thrive, and it’s ability to attract pollinating insects. Studying these values among a specific population allows humans to develop different variations of the same species for different uses. These include things like: fruits without seeds, corn for fuel and corn for eating, hybrid plants and also hybrid animals. The ability for humans to utilize the different genes of a population to produce a different variety within the species means we may be able to save many endangered plants and animals. We can also increase the area in which different plants and animals can thrive which also helps different populations’ biodiversity.

        An example of one species that is facing population problems due to genetic deficiencies are turtles. Turtle eggs’ incubation temperature is what determines the sex of the turtles that hatch. Studies have been done that show that turtles lack the genetic diversity needed to evolve to the climate changes that Earth has experienced in the last few decades. Lower incubation temperatures produce males while higher temperatures produce female turtles (Hunter Jr. & Gibbs, 2007, Chapter 5). This means if global warming continues, turtles’ eggs will start to only produce females, thus eliminating the possibility of reproducing at all. This is just one of many examples.

        There are many different types of plant species that may be facing extinction due to overexploitation by humans and also loss of habitat. Certain plants have been harvested by humans for their medicinal properties. When this happens, it makes it harder for the plants to reproduce and in turn, also hurts their biodiversity. Some examples of plants that are being overexploited for medicinal, horticultural and habitat loss include: Himalayan white lily, the western prairie fringed orchid, Georgia aster, Texas wild rice, and Arizona agave among many, many others (USDA, 2016).