NAISS
SUPR
NAISS Projects
SUPR
Landscape genomics for pollinator conservation
Dnr:

NAISS 2026/3-158

Type:

NAISS Medium

Principal Investigator:

Maj Rundlöf

Affiliation:

Lunds universitet

Start Date:

2026-02-24

End Date:

2026-09-01

Primary Classification:

10611: Ecology

Secondary Classification:

10609: Genetics and Genomics (Medical aspects at 30107 and agricultural at 40402)

Allocation

Abstract

Habitat loss is a major cause of insect declines, but little is known about the impact of spatial extent and arrangement of remaining habitat, particularly for genetic aspects. Much of the conservation genomic work has focused on small populations of threatened mammals with insect populations largely unstudied. In this project we build on our previous findings of reduced genetic diversity in the grassland specialist butterflies, resulting from the loss of grassland habitat following agricultural intensification. Here we aim to explore habitat extent and arrangement in relation to functional connectivity and genetic diversity, as well as if the type of non-habitat land cover between habitats influence the outcome. This project will identify aspects of habitat configuration and land use that are important for maintaining the gene flow and genetic diversity needed for long-term persistence of grassland butterflies, to support effective implementation of conservation and restoration strategies under the EU nature restoration regulation.