Hybrids Along a Natural-Anthropogenic Gradient: Improving Policy and Management Across All Levels of Biodiversity

Abstract

Hybridization has long been a central topic in evolution and conservation. Recent developments in genomics have increased the ability to detect hybridization, defined here as breeding between species, subspecies or distinct populations, and assess levels of introgression between taxa. For decades, hybrids directly or indirectly created and/or spread by humans have typically been considered as threats to conservation, reflected by current regional and national environmental policies that focus largely on potential negative effects. In the context of the latest global conservation policy goals, and increasing evidence of historic natural hybridization events, we call for science-based, reflective and context-dependent management of hybrids, applying a framework that shifts focus towards measuring the impact of hybrids, and assessing potential risks and benefits. Alongside demographic and ecological information, it is crucial for impact assessments to consider genetic information, and conservation management of hybrids needs to be more case-specific.