Reacción a "Genetic diversity has decreased in more than 600 species in the last three decades"

This study published in the journal Nature shows the general decline in the genetic diversity of natural species over the last thirty years. The genetic variability of populations is fundamental to their survival in the face of environmental changes, which is why current populations are more vulnerable to extinction than they were three decades ago. This is a global trend that affects all types of living beings analysed (animals, plants, fungi and algae). Moreover, this loss of diversity seems to occur across the board, even in the absence of clear ecological disturbance and even if conservation strategies are implemented. As the authors point out, this effect may be due to the strong influence of population size on genetic diversity, and previous studies have shown a clear trend of declining natural populations globally.

The article has some limitations due to the existing literature on which it is based: there is clear evidence of a lack of data for certain geographical regions (e.g. Africa and the Middle East), as well as a strong bias towards studies on vertebrate species, even though they are not the largest group of living beings. However, these limitations do not detract from the overall conclusions of the article, and collecting genetic data from natural populations is essential for effective conservation strategies.