 BackResearch Article ScienceAsia 16 (1990): 117-132 |doi: 10.2306/scienceasia1513-1874.1990.16.117
GENETICS AND DEMOGRAPHY IN THE CONSERVATION OF BIODIVERSITY
DAVID S. WOODRUFFABSTRACT: Half of Thailand's remaining species of plants, animals and microorganisms are at risk of exdncdon in the next few decades. The role of genetic and demographic considerations in determining the Future ability of individual populations to survive and evolve are described. Population viability analysis (PVA) points to the need to maintain as much innate genetic variability as possible. The concepts of a minimum viable population (MVP) and of the genetically effective Population size (Ne) are described. The serious consequences of increased inbreeding and the loss of genetic variadon following range fragmentadon are discussed. Genetics is also very important in defining evolutionarily significant units (especially species) for management purpose. These considerations underscore the urgent need to complete the inventory of Thailand's biodiversity and to gather the types of genetic and demographic data required to ensure its persistence. This will necessitate more scientifically based intervention than has been required in the past. In addition, Further shifts in national natural resource policy towards sustainability and the enhancement of educational, training and research opportunities are foreseen. Department of Biology (C-016) and Center for Molecular Genedcs, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, California 92093, USA. Received 20 July 1990
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