The utility of effective population size in population management 1 : estimating contemporary effective size

• Estimates of effective population size (Ne) are highly desirable in managed populations because they are informative of the rate at which genetic variation is being lost through the processes of genetic drift or inbreeding. Due to the notorious difficulty of accurate Ne estimation in natural populations, myriad estimation methods have been developed over the last 50 years. Conservation practitioners and researchers who are unfamiliar with the Ne estimation literature are now faced with an overwhelming amount of choice when selecting an estimation method and, unfortunately, the resources available to help them make this decision rarely consider the practicalities of implementing these methods. This review aims to alleviate this problem by explicitly considering these practicalities while describing and comparing the most popular estimation methods available. We begin by clearly describing how estimates of Ne can be used in population management. We then go on to describe the most popular methods available for Ne estimation, stating the assumptions that are made and the data that are required. The review concludes with recommendations of the most appropriate estimation methods given specific motivations for estimating Ne and the types of data that are practical to collect.

Ämnesord

NATURVETENSKAP  -- Biologi -- Ekologi (hsv//swe)

NATURAL SCIENCES  -- Biological Sciences -- Ecology (hsv//eng)

Nyckelord

Effective population size

genetic drift

genetic variation

population management

conservation genetics

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