LAUSR

Description A mathematical framework may help inform conservation efforts Preservation of genetic diversity is critical to the resilience of species in the face of global change. To meet international calls to preserve at least 90% of species’ genetic diversity, researchers and conservationists need a way to reliably predict genetic diversity loss resulting from human activities (1). On page 1431 of this issue, Exposito-Alonso et al. present a mathematical framework that elegantly bridges biodiversity and population genetics theory to model the relationship between genetic diversity and habitat loss (2). This approach builds on methods already used by biodiversity policy experts for predicting species extinctions based on habitat loss (3) and should be useful to those tasked with setting goals for preserving genetic diversity.