A new global study co-authored by DivjaLabs scientist Dr. Astrid Vik Stronen challenges long-held views on hybrids in biodiversity management. Published in Conservation Letters, the paper calls for science-based, case-by-case approaches that recognize that although hybrids often represent to native species, they might, at time be potential contributors to resilience and adaptation.
By the DivjaLabs team
A new international study, published this week in Conservation Letters, urges scientists, policymakers, and conservation managers to rethink how we view hybrids — organisms born from the crossing of different species, subspecies, or distinct populations. The paper, titled “Hybrids Along a Natural–Anthropogenic Gradient: Improving Policy and Management Across All Levels of Biodiversity,” brings together leading researchers from around the world, including Dr. Astrid Vik Stronen, co-founder and principal scientist at DivjaLabs.
For decades, conservation practice has largely regarded hybrids only as a threat, a genetic contamination that blurs species boundaries and undermines biodiversity. However, this new work challenges that blanket assumption. The authors argue for a science-based, context-dependent approach to managing hybrids, emphasizing that case-by-case assessments are needed that also carefully consider whether hybrids could enhance resilience, restore genetic diversity, and support adaptation to rapid environmental change.
“Hybrids can be more than ‘freaks of nature’, As genomic tools become more powerful, we’re discovering that hybridization has played important roles in evolution and ecosystem function throughout history.”
lead author Dr. Peter Galbusera
The grey zone of conservation
Hybrids often sit in a legal and ethical grey zone. Current conservation frameworks — including the IUCN Red List — mostly ignore or exclude hybrids, focusing on maintaining “pure” species. Yet, as human influence reshapes ecosystems, such boundaries are increasingly difficult to define.
The study highlights that not all hybridization is equal. While some cases can threaten rare populations through genetic or demographic swamping, others — such as the well-known genetic rescue of the Florida panther — have demonstrably increased population viability. Understanding this balance requires new tools, frameworks, and mindsets.
A framework for evidence-based hybrid management
To move from debate to action, the authors propose a practical framework to guide conservation and policy decisions about hybrids. The process, inspired by the IUCN’s “Assess–Plan–Act” model, focuses on measuring impact — ecological, demographic, and genetic — rather than labeling hybrids as inherently good or bad.
Their four-step process includes:
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Analyze – Collect genetic, ecological, and demographic data on hybrids and parental taxa.
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Assess – Evaluate risks and benefits to long-term survival and ecosystem function.
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Act – Decide on management actions (e.g., monitoring, protection, or control) based on evidence.
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Monitor – Track outcomes over generations to refine strategies as new data emerge.
This case-by-case approach allows managers to weigh complex trade-offs and make adaptive decisions grounded in both science and ethics.
Why this matters now
As Dr. Stronen notes, “We’re entering an era where ecosystems are changing faster than ever — through climate shifts, species movements, and human land use. Hybrids are part of that reality. Ignoring them could mean losing valuable genetic diversity that might help species persist.”
At DivjaLabs, we share this perspective. Our work explores how genomics, data science, and evolutionary principles can inform smarter, more flexible conservation strategies. Understanding hybridization — and its potential benefits as well as risks — is key to managing biodiversity in the Anthropocene. An example of such work includes genomic analysis of canid samples from the Netherlands.
A step toward smarter policy
The study calls for better alignment between international treaties and national conservation laws, which currently vary widely in how they handle hybrids. The authors also emphasize the importance of clear terminology, cautioning against simplistic labels like “pure” and “mixed,” which can be politically charged and scientifically misleading.
Ultimately, this research offers a vision for conservation that embraces complexity over simplicity, and evidence over assumption.
Read the full open-access article:
Galbusera, P. et al. (2025) Hybrids Along a Natural–Anthropogenic Gradient: Improving Policy and Management Across All Levels of Biodiversity. Conservation Letters, 18:e13158.