The study of adaptation in African mammal diversity is essential, especially as many species face extinction. This continent’s rich biodiversity is significantly reducing due to climate change, habitat loss, habitat fragmentation, unsustainable harvesting for cultural, ceremonial and medicinal use, poaching, etc. Future projections show that Africa will be hotter than it is today. This diversity requires urgent evidence-based conservation and management actions.
The current research uses whole-genome sequence data to study local adaptation in mammals inhabiting the desert region of southwest Africa. This area is the most vulnerable to climate change and other factors, and local adaptation presents a unique opportunity to fine-tune the ongoing conservation efforts and sheds light on possible strategies that can be utilised to increase the probability of saving Africa’s biodiversity from extinction.
Funding
Collaboration Partners
coming soon
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