Revisiting Adaptive Potential, Population Size, and Conservation

Additive genetic variance (V) reflects the potential for evolutionary shifts and can be low for some traits or populations. High V is critical for the conservation of threatened species under selection to facilitate adaptation. Theory predicts tight associations between population size and V, but data from some experimental models, and managed and natural populations do not always support this prediction. However, V comparisons often have low statistical power, are undertaken in highly controlled environments distinct from natural habitats, and focus on traits with limited ecological relevance. Moreover, investigations of V typically fail to consider rare alleles, genetic load, or linkage disequilibrium, resulting in deleterious effects associated with favored alleles in small populations. Large population size remains essential for ensuring adaptation.