Data from: Fenced and fragmented: conservation value of managed metapopulations

Population fragmentation is threatening biodiversity worldwide. Species
that once roamed vast areas are increasingly being conserved in small,
isolated areas. Modern management approaches must adapt to ensure the
continued survival and conservation value of these populations. In South
Africa, a managed metapopulation approach has been adopted for several
large carnivore species, all protected in isolated, relatively small,
reserves that are fenced. As far as possible these approaches are based on
natural metapopulation structures. In this network, over the past 25
years, African lions (Panthera leo) were reintroduced into 44 fenced
reserves with little attention given to maintaining genetic diversity. To
examine the situation, we investigated the current genetic provenance and
diversity of these lions. We found that overall genetic diversity was
similar to that in a large national park, and included a mixture of four
different southern African evolutionarily significant units (ESUs). This
mixing of ESUs, while not ideal, provides a unique opportunity to study
the impact of mixing ESUs over the long term. We propose a strategic
managed metapopulation plan to ensure the maintenance of genetic diversity
and improve the long-term conservation value of these lions. This managed
metapopulation approach could be applied to other species under similar
ecological constraints around the globe.