The new work should finally help scientists drawing an accurate caribou family tree, said retired zoologist Val Geist, of the University of Calgary. And that is the first step towards designing better strategies for conservation and management. Woodland caribou are in particular need of help, with 25 percent of known populations at imminent risk of extinction, thanks to clear-cutting, development and climate change. But protecting woodland caribou requires knowing which caribou actually belong to that group. "We've been suffering from very bad caribou taxonomy," Geist said. "This genetics has been absolutely heaven sent. This is a very important study in the context of caribou conservation." The study provided another ray of hope. Because mountain caribou have retained genes form both the woodland and barren-ground groups, they are walking around with an unexpected jackpot of genetic diversity that might help them adapt to a future filled with change. Related Links: |
advertisement
Put Discovery News on Your Site!
|
-
our sites
-
video
mobile
-
shop
-
stay connected
-
corporate
