How does ecological disturbance influence genetic diversity?
Environmental disturbance underpins the dynamics and diversity of many of the ecosystems of the world, yet its influence on the patterns and distribution of genetic diversity is poorly appreciated. We argue here that disturbance history may be the major driver that shapes patterns of genetic diversity in many natural populations. We outline how disturbance influences genetic diversity through changes in both selective processes and demographically driven, selectively neutral processes. Our review highlights the opportunities and challenges presented by genetic approaches, such as landscape genomics, for better understanding and predicting the demographic and evolutionary responses of natural populations to disturbance. Developing this understanding is now critical because disturbance regimes are changing rapidly in a human-modified world.
The Fenner School of Environment and Society, The Australian National University, Canberra, ACT 0200, Australia; Australian Research Council Centre of Excellence for Environmental Decisions and the National Environmental Research Program Environmental Decisions Hub, The Fenner School of Environment and Society, The Australian National University, Canberra, ACT 0200, Australia. Electronic address: sam.banks@anu.edu.au.
Sam C
SC
Banks
Geoffrey J
GJ
Cary
Annabel L
AL
Smith
Ian D
ID
Davies
Don A
DA
Driscoll
A Malcolm
AM
Gill
David B
DB
Lindenmayer
Rod
R
Peakall
D017753:Ecosystem; D014644:Genetic Variation; D005828:Genetics, Population; D023281:Genomics / Q000379:methods*; D008957:Models, Genetic; D011157:Population Dynamics; D012641:Selection, Genetic