Genetic diversity in widespread species is not congruent with species richness in alpine plant communities

TLDR

The Convention on Biological Diversity seeks to conserve ecosystems, species, and genes, yet genetic diversity—critical for evolutionary potential and ecosystem functioning—is rarely considered and is often assumed to co‑vary with species richness, a relationship that has not been properly evaluated. This study aimed to test whether genetic diversity and species richness co‑vary across multiple species and large geographic scales. The authors examined high‑mountain flora in the Alps and Carpathians, using a large‑scale, multi‑species approach to assess genetic diversity and species richness. They found no correlation between species richness and genetic diversity, indicating that species richness cannot serve as a surrogate for genetic diversity and highlighting important implications for CBD conservation planning.

Abstract

Abstract The Convention on Biological Diversity ( CBD ) aims at the conservation of all three levels of biodiversity, that is, ecosystems, species and genes. Genetic diversity represents evolutionary potential and is important for ecosystem functioning. Unfortunately, genetic diversity in natural populations is hardly considered in conservation strategies because it is difficult to measure and has been hypothesised to co‐vary with species richness. This means that species richness is taken as a surrogate of genetic diversity in conservation planning, though their relationship has not been properly evaluated. We tested whether the genetic and species levels of biodiversity co‐vary, using a large‐scale and multi‐species approach. We chose the high‐mountain flora of the Alps and the Carpathians as study systems and demonstrate that species richness and genetic diversity are not correlated. Species richness thus cannot act as a surrogate for genetic diversity. Our results have important consequences for implementing the CBD when designing conservation strategies.