🤯 Did You Know (click to read)
Non-invasive DNA sampling allows scientists to assess genetic health without capturing animals.
Genetic analyses of Bornean orangutan populations reveal reduced diversity in highly fragmented landscapes. Small isolated groups experience limited gene flow, increasing the likelihood of inbreeding. Over time, reduced genetic variation can impair disease resistance and adaptability. Studies using DNA samples from feces and hair provide non-invasive insight into population structure. Fragmentation across Borneo has created pockets separated by plantations and roads. Without connectivity, genetic drift accelerates. Declining diversity threatens long-term survival even if short-term numbers appear stable.
💥 Impact (click to read)
Genetic erosion is invisible without molecular analysis yet can determine extinction risk decades later. Small populations are more vulnerable to stochastic events and disease outbreaks. Reconnecting forest patches can restore gene flow if implemented before severe decline. Genetic monitoring informs targeted conservation strategies. Maintaining diversity strengthens resilience against environmental change.
The preservation of evolutionary potential depends on protecting both habitat and connectivity. Once diversity is lost, recovery is difficult and slow. Conservation planning increasingly integrates genetics into landscape management. Safeguarding corridors today may prevent irreversible losses tomorrow. Long-term survival rests on maintaining a robust genetic foundation across Borneo.
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