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A recent study published in the Annals of Botany by Fady B. and Scotti-Saintagne C. (2025) argues that conserving genetic diversity should be a central goal in environmental management. Using the rare Salzmann’s pine (Pinus nigra ssp. salzmannii), native to southern France, as a case study, the research highlights the need to look beyond protecting habitats and species alone.

Genetic diversity is the foundation of all biological variation and is essential for adaptation to changing environments. While protected areas help conserve landscapes and species, they do not necessarily conserve the full range of genetic variation within and among populations.

Genetic tools now make it possible to detect subtle but important differences between populations that may appear identical. These methods can reveal when distinct populations need to be protected separately, when a large population is suffering from inbreeding, or how much of a population should be preserved in seed banks to avoid extinction. In ecological restoration and reforestation, choosing genetically appropriate material increases the chances of long-term success.

Salzmann’s pine, with its fragmented and declining populations, illustrates how a focus on genetic variation can inform more effective conservation actions. Without this level of attention, key evolutionary potential may be lost.

The authors call for genetic diversity to be treated as a major element in biodiversity policy, on equal footing with species and habitat protection, particularly in the context of ongoing climate change and environmental pressures.
 

Full reference

Fady B., Scotti-Saintagne C., 2025. Why conserve genetic diversity? A perspective based on a case study with a European conifer. Annals of Botany, mcaf041. https://doi.org/10.1093/aob/mcaf041.