Introduction

Abstract

We are living in a time of unprecedented loss of biodiversity. Genetics and genomics can play a crucial role in protecting biodiversity. Conservation is an effort to protect the genetic and taxonomic diversity that has been produced by evolution over the past 3.5 billion years. Extinction is a demographic process, but the likelihood of extinction can be reduced by applying an understanding of genetics. Conservation genetics has origins beginning with Darwin. Although the field has become extremely broad, most published articles and applications dealing with conservation and genetics fit into one of five general categories described in this chapter. This is an exciting time to be interested in the genetics of populations. New technologies are promising to advance conservation, from managing wild and captive populations to tracking invasive species and pathogens. The application of innovative genetic technologies will play an important role in biodiversity conservation long into the future.