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Spotted Owls Face Genetic Bottleneck
The northern spotted owl has been a controversial conservation icon for years -- ever since large swaths of old-growth forest in the Pacific Northwest were set aside to protect the threatened bird 15 years ago. That decision angered logging companies and forced them to take a financial hit.
Still, despite the extra protection, spotted owl populations have continued to decline. A new study helps explain why: With a drop in numbers, the birds have lost genetic diversity.
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In addition to habitat loss and competition from other owl species, this type of genetic bottleneck makes the species more vulnerable to inbreeding problems and less resilient in the face of disease, climate change, and other challenges.