Overexploitation and anthropogenic disturbances threaten the genetic diversity of an economically important neotropical palm

The Caatinga biome is one of the largest areas South American seasonally dry tropical forest that has been severely affected by unsustainable natural resource use. Furthermore, identified as an ecologically sensitive region particularly susceptible to climate changes. One most economically important native palm tree for traditional communities from semi-arid carnauba palm, Copernicia prunifera, which offers diverse resources, yet its populations suffer intense exploitation. To inform conservation and population management strategies, we sought determine if remaining this species in intensively exploited area Northeast Brazil displayed evidence negative genetic impacts because exploitation how might interact with expected environmental Mantel’s test revealed a positive significant correlation between geographic distances, suggesting are structured isolation distance, while also experiencing barriers through Monmonier's algorithm. studied showed bottlenecks, future scenarios suggest potentially suitable habitats C. prunifera within range will be reduced. Significant differentiation among resulted three distinct groups consistent ecological niche modelling. In addition need situ minimize loss alleles, creation germplasm banks ex strategies developing planted productive forests urgently required maintain ensure sustainability resources communities.