Decline in Genetic Diversity Puts Animals and Plants at Risk

Research published on Wednesday reveals that two-thirds of animal and plant populations are experiencing a decline in genetic diversity, hindering their ability to adapt to environmental changes. The most significant losses in genetic variation were observed in birds and mammals. By the mid-1990s, big cats in southern Florida exhibited visible signs of inbreeding, such as kinked tails and decreased sperm counts in males. Duke University ecologist Stuart Pimm, not involved in the study, highlighted the challenges faced by isolated populations.