Gene

Demography

Philosophy

Microsatellite

Ecology

Biology

Diversity (politics)

Ecosystem diversity

Conservation genetics

Anthropology

Anthropocene

Evolutionary biology

Genetics

Genetic diversity

Environmental ethics

Population

Sociology

Conservation biology

Biodiversity

Allele

Molecular Ecology

Since allozymes were first used to assess genetic diversity in the 1960s and 1970s, biologists have attempted to characterize gene pools and conserve the diversity observed in domestic crops, livestock, zoos and (more recently) natural populations. Recently, some authors have claimed that the importance of genetic diversity in conservation biology has been greatly overstated. Here, we argue that a voluminous literature indicates otherwise. We address four main points made by detractors of genetic diversity's role in conservation by using published literature to firmly establish that genetic diversity is intimately tied to evolutionary fitness, and that the associated demographic consequences are of paramount importance to many conservation efforts. We think that responsible management in the Anthropocene should, whenever possible, include the conservation of ecosystems, communities, populations and individuals, and their underlying genetic diversity.

The long‐standing significance of genetic diversity in conservation