Conservation genetics – science in the service of nature

Abstract

Conservation genetics is a subdicipline of conservation biology which deals with the extinction risk and many other problems of nature conservation by using genetic tools and techniques. Conservation genetics is a very good example of the practical use of scientific achievements in nature protection. Although its name seems to be self-defining, its specific area of interest, conceptual apparatus and methodological workshop are not widely known and recognizable. The purpose of this review is to clarify any ambiguities and inconsistencies in this respect. It explore what is conservation genetics, what research and practical issues does it deal with and how they can be solved.

Keywords

• ecogenomics
• extinction risk
• extinction vortex
• genetic load
• genomics
• inbreeding depression