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add links to methods
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AliciaMstt authored Apr 11, 2024
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Expand Up @@ -15,24 +15,24 @@ Many species’ populations are fairly easy to designate: a population may consi

Based on the knowledge of biodiversity and taxonomic experts, definitions of populations will be available in some biodiversity databases, published reports, or expert consultations. Designating populations may be performed by taxonomic experts, local knowledge holders, or these groups working together. In other cases, the reports or databases 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 (i.e., within the dispersal distance of the species, lack of clear barriers such as a mountain, fence, river).

There are different methods for determining if a population is distinct, and one or more methods can be used (short definitions are given followed by more detail below).
**There are different methods for determining if a population is distinct. Short definitions are given followed by more detail below.**

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Methods to define population can be combined. For instance, populations can be defined using geographic boundaries and traits, or genetic differences and ecological or biogeographic proxies.

* **Geographic boundaries**: when groups of individuals are separated by some uninhabited area which cannot easily be traversed (e.g. river, mountain, different habitat type, or other habitat types which can´t be crossed by the species). This includes human made barriers that likely disrupt movement of organisms for several of their generations (e.g. urbanization, dams).
* **[Geographic boundaries](https://ccgenetics.github.io/guidelines-genetic-diversity-indicators/docs/3_Howto_guides_examples/Howto_define_populations.html#geographic-boundaries)**: when groups of individuals are separated by some uninhabited area which cannot easily be traversed (e.g. river, mountain, different habitat type, or other habitat types which can´t be crossed by the species). This includes human made barriers that likely disrupt movement of organisms for several of their generations (e.g. urbanization, dams).

* **Dispersal buffer**: when dispersal distances are available for a given species one can create buffer polygons around observation points (occurrence points). Polygons that overlap are fused together, and the resulting polygon, along with the points falling within its area, are considered a single population.
* **[Dispersal buffer](https://ccgenetics.github.io/guidelines-genetic-diversity-indicators/docs/3_Howto_guides_examples/Howto_define_populations.html#dispersal-buffer)**: when dispersal distances are available for a given species one can create buffer polygons around observation points (occurrence points). Polygons that overlap are fused together, and the resulting polygon, along with the points falling within its area, are considered a single population.

* **Ecological or biogeographic proxies**: differences in ecological conditions represent a proxy for potential local adaptations across a species’ range. This may be especially useful for designating populations when groups of individuals occur in continuous fashion across multiple ecological zones, as there may be different local adaptations even in what seems a continuous distribution. In management this may be referred to as ecoregions, seed zones, proxies of genetic differentiation or similar terminology.
* **[Ecological or biogeographic proxies](https://ccgenetics.github.io/guidelines-genetic-diversity-indicators/docs/3_Howto_guides_examples/Howto_define_populations.html#ecological-or-biogeographic-proxies)**: differences in ecological conditions represent a proxy for potential local adaptations across a species’ range. This may be especially useful for designating populations when groups of individuals occur in continuous fashion across multiple ecological zones, as there may be different local adaptations even in what seems a continuous distribution. In management this may be referred to as ecoregions, seed zones, proxies of genetic differentiation or similar terminology.

* **Traits** (e.g., behavioral, morphological, physiological): when groups of individuals have different traits that may represent adaptations or may prevent interbreeding (such as type of song in birds or whales, adaptation to drier environments etc).
* **[Traits](https://ccgenetics.github.io/guidelines-genetic-diversity-indicators/docs/3_Howto_guides_examples/Howto_define_populations.html#traits)** (e.g., behavioral, morphological, physiological): when groups of individuals have different traits that may represent adaptations or may prevent interbreeding (such as type of song in birds or whales, adaptation to drier environments etc).

* **Genetic differences/clades/groups**: when a genetic (DNA-based) study has been performed which shows either (a) no gene flow between groups of individuals, and/or (b) a long period of time in which groups are separated (implying genetic divergence). In this case populations are normally delineated by identified genetic differences, e.g., mtDNA differences, population genetic clustering (STRUCTURE and similar), strong population division (FST), unique alleles, and other methods.
* **[Genetic differences/clades/groups](https://ccgenetics.github.io/guidelines-genetic-diversity-indicators/docs/3_Howto_guides_examples/Howto_define_populations.html#genetic-differencesclades)**: when a genetic (DNA-based) study has been performed which shows either (a) no gene flow between groups of individuals, and/or (b) a long period of time in which groups are separated (implying genetic divergence). In this case populations are normally delineated by identified genetic differences, e.g., mtDNA differences, population genetic clustering (STRUCTURE and similar), strong population division (FST), unique alleles, and other methods.

* **Evolutionary significant units (ESUs)**: an ESU is a genetic unit present within a species, more specifically it is a “lineage demonstrating highly restricted gene flow from other such lineages within the higher organizational level (lineage) of the species". It can consist of a single population or group of them.
* **[Evolutionary significant units (ESUs)](https://ccgenetics.github.io/guidelines-genetic-diversity-indicators/docs/3_Howto_guides_examples/Howto_define_populations.html#evolutionary-significant-units-esus)**: an ESU is a genetic unit present within a species, more specifically it is a “lineage demonstrating highly restricted gene flow from other such lineages within the higher organizational level (lineage) of the species". It can consist of a single population or group of them.

* **Management Units** (demography/ migration): when biologists at a management agency have identified boundaries in an otherwise continuous species range, recognizing that management (and adaptation) does need some delineation. Note that these defined units are often demographically distinct, but may sometimes just represent political or other boundaries.
* **[Management Units](https://ccgenetics.github.io/guidelines-genetic-diversity-indicators/docs/3_Howto_guides_examples/Howto_define_populations.html#management-units)** (demography/ migration): when biologists at a management agency have identified boundaries in an otherwise continuous species range, recognizing that management (and adaptation) does need some delineation. Note that these defined units are often demographically distinct, but may sometimes just represent political or other boundaries.



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