Airports for the genetic rescue of a former agricultural pest

We aimed to compare estimates of individual heterozygosity in individuals from different habitats to determine whether populations inhabiting an airport fields are a potentially suitable source of genetic rescue for European ground squirrel colonies in a fragmented landscape. High-resolution genomic datasets have revealed the important role of airport ecosystems in conserving and maximising the genetic diversity of an endangered species. The results of our study highlight the potential of airports as valuable sources of individuals for genetic rescue programmes (e.g., reintroductions) targeting the European ground squirrel in the region. This admixture strategy will optimise genetic diversity and enhance the adaptive potential within genetically eroded colonies in natural habitats.