Michael Akresh, Core Faculty in Environmental Studies at Antioch University’s New England campus, co-authored an article published in BMC Biology titled, “Signals of corresponding genetic diversity loss in four warbler species exhibiting regional or range-wide declines.“
The study tracked genetic diversity across four warbler species over roughly the last two centuries. Using DNA from museum specimens (1789–1955) alongside contemporary samples (2001–2020), the research team found consistent declines in nucleotide diversity and heterozygosity across all four species (blackpoll, black-throated blue, yellow-rumped, and prairie warblers), with increased inbreeding signals in three of them. The findings suggest genetic diversity loss from historic population declines can persist for 50–100 years—even when more recent population trends stabilize—underscoring the value of long-term genetic monitoring in conservation planning.
To read the article, click here.
To learn more about Akresh’s work, click here.
