Hybrids along a natural‐anthropogenic gradient: Improving policy and management across all levels of biodiversity

Galbusera, Peter, Bertola, Laura D., Ball, Alexander D., Bishop von Wettberg, Eric, Bruford, Michael W. ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-6357-6080, Helsen, Philippe, Hoban, Sean, Fienieg, Elmar, Quinzin, Maud C., Russo, Isa‐Rita M. ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-9504-3633, Segelbacher, Gernot, Ting, Nelson, Waits, Lisette P., Stronen, Astrid Vik and Kopatz, Alexander 2025. Hybrids along a natural‐anthropogenic gradient: Improving policy and management across all levels of biodiversity. Conservation Letters 18 (6) , e13158. 10.1111/conl.13158

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Abstract

Hybridization has long been a central topic in evolution and conservation. Recent developments in genomics have increased the ability to detect hybridization, defined here as breeding between species, subspecies or distinct populations, and assess levels of introgression between taxa. For decades, hybrids directly or indirectly created and/or spread by humans have typically been considered as threats to conservation, reflected by current regional and national environmental policies that focus largely on potential negative effects. In the context of the latest global conservation policy goals, and increasing evidence of historic natural hybridization events, we call for science‐based, reflective and context‐dependent management of hybrids, applying a framework that shifts focus towards measuring the impact of hybrids, and assessing potential risks and benefits. Alongside demographic and ecological information, it is crucial for impact assessments to consider genetic information, and conservation management of hybrids needs to be more case‐specific.

Item Type:	Article
Date Type:	Published Online
Status:	Published
Schools:	Schools > Biosciences
Additional Information:	License information from Publisher: LICENSE 1: URL: http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/
Publisher:	Wiley
ISSN:	1755-263X
Date of First Compliant Deposit:	17 November 2025
Date of Acceptance:	30 September 2025
Last Modified:	17 Nov 2025 17:00
URI:	https://orca.cardiff.ac.uk/id/eprint/182467

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