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AliciaMstt committed Jan 4, 2024
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Expand Up @@ -11,7 +11,8 @@ This is one of the most important concepts to agree on before searching for data

Briefly, ‘population’ refers to a genetically distinct group of individuals. Within populations the individuals are capable of interbreeding. Genetic distinction of populations is usually due to no or very low gene flow (movement of genes e.g. by movement of offspring) and/or significant adaptive differences, such as due to occurring in different environments (high/ low altitude, different soil types, differences in precipitation or temperature). Not every occurrence is a population (see Appendix)! The word ‘subpopulation’ may describe clusters of organisms across a landscape (including family units) which are near enough to exchange gene flow. Usually several ‘subpopulations’ are considered together as a population (also called a ‘metapopulation’). When the potential for gene flow is large, e.g., viable tree pollen that can travel tens of kilometers, ‘populations’ can range across large distances, sometimes hundreds of km.

{: .important } In IUCN Red List reports the term ‘population’ and ‘subpopulation’ are used differently than intended in this study. An ‘IUCN population’ refers to the entire species (i.e., the total number of individuals of the taxon). ‘IUCN subpopulations’ are geographically or otherwise distinct groups of the species between which there is little exchange (IUCN 1995); thus an ‘IUCN subpopulation’ is what we refer to as ‘populations’!
{: .important }
In IUCN Red List reports the term ‘population’ and ‘subpopulation’ are used differently than intended in this study. An ‘IUCN population’ refers to the entire species (i.e., the total number of individuals of the taxon). ‘IUCN subpopulations’ are geographically or otherwise distinct groups of the species between which there is little exchange (IUCN 1995); thus an ‘IUCN subpopulation’ is what we refer to as ‘populations’!

Some published reports will clearly define what a population is based on the knowledge of biodiversity and taxonomic experts. Some judgment may be required in interpreting population designation in a report, but in general the designation of a population by experts should be considered strongly. In other cases, the reports or database may not clearly designate population boundaries and will require interpretation. Visual examination of maps may result in ‘merging’ occurrences that are likely to experience extensive gene flow- ‘likely to experience extensive gene flow’ may be defined on spatial proximity e.g. close geographic distance and lack of clear barrier (mountain, fence, etc.).

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