Genes are the building blocks of all life on Earth, and the reason behind the incredible diversity we see in species and ecosystems. A reduction in genetic diversity is caused by, and confounds, the pressures being placed on species; inbreeding can lead to health problems, and a lack of genetic variation could mean that a species is less able to adapt to changes in its environment.
The need to maintain genetic diversity is not limited to wildlife; domestic plants and animals are invaluable for food and agriculture, and safeguarding genetic variation within these species is extremely important. Genetic diversity allows farmers to select stock or develop new breeds or varieties in response to environmental change or threats of diseases, and as such contributes to food security.
IUCN works on the issues of genetic diversity through the World Initiative for Sustainable Pastoralism, whose immediate objective is to engage in capacity building in support of pastoral sustainable land management, through a partnership between pastoralists, donors, NGOs, UN agencies and the private sector.
