genetic bottleneck

A genetic bottleneck occurs when a population's size dramatically decreases due to events like natural disasters or human activities. This sharp reduction results in a loss of genetic diversity because only a limited number of individuals survive to reproduce. Consequently, the remaining gene pool is less representative of the original population's genetic variation. This reduction can make the population more vulnerable to diseases, environmental changes, and reduce its ability to adapt over time. After recovery, the population may grow again, but it will carry only a subset of the original genetic traits.