Analyses, published in the journal Conservation Genetics, showed signs that populations of northern spotted owls had indeed shrunk, especially in the Cascade Mountains of Washington -- the same region where field studies have shown the sharpest population declines. The loss of genetic diversity is an added blow to the loss of individual birds. Once they're gone, gene forms don't always come back. "We knew from census data that there was a problem," Fleischer said. "We didn't know it was something that we would see in genetic variation at this stage." On the plus side, knowing what's happening to a species' DNA can help with conservation efforts. For example, Fleischer said, it's now more important than ever to maintain the spotted owl's threatened status, if not bump it up a notch. "It's important to document declines and continued declines," Fleischer said. "This is also something that will bring more people back to the plight of the owl, so that hopefully there will be more steps taken to recover it." Related Links: Animal Planet: Suing Over Spotted Owl Endangered Species Act |
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