Genetic diversity
Genetic diversity is the variation in inherited characteristics among individuals, populations, and species, including differences in genes and other heritable material. It is one level of biodiversity, alongside diversity between species and among ecosystems, and helps populations retain a range of traits that may influence reproduction, resilience, and adaptation.
In simple terms
Individuals of the same species are not genetically identical, and populations can hold different combinations of inherited traits. This variation is part of Biodiversity, together with variation among species and Ecosystems. It can be shaped by mutation, reproduction, migration, selection, population size, isolation, and human management. A count of species alone therefore does not describe genetic diversity. Monitoring may use direct genetic information or carefully selected proxies, depending on the organism, purpose, available data, and ethical or legal conditions governing samples.
Why it matters
Low genetic diversity can reduce the range of responses available when disease, climate, habitat, or management conditions change. Conserving variation supports wild populations, crops, livestock, forestry, and food security. Land-use change and fragmented habitats can separate populations, so conservation decisions need to consider diversity within species as well as the number of species present.
Example
A seed bank collects multiple locally adapted varieties of the same crop rather than storing one commercial variety. It records where samples originated and works with farming communities under applicable access and benefit-sharing arrangements, preserving a wider pool of inherited traits for future breeding and cultivation.
How it differs
Biodiversity
Biodiversity covers variation within species, between species, and among ecosystems; genetic diversity is specifically the inherited variation within and among populations or species.