Effects of inbreeding in small plant populations: expectations and implications for conservation

Abstract

Examined the fitness effects of a population size reduction by using genetic computer simulations of a plant population. The fitness of a population was estimated before and after a drop in size, and this was compared to the inbreeding depression in the large population. Results imply that a stronger focus on the variance in response to inbreeding is essential for predictions of the consequences of a diminished population size. Analogous considerations apply for outbreeding depression, where selection may result in a higher hybrid fitness than suggested by the mean response estimated in an experiment, if there is genetic variation for fitness among the hybrids. The authors suggest a management procedure for controlled gene flow from one plant population into another. -from Authors