subpopulation

A subpopulation is a subset of individuals within a larger population that exhibits distinct characteristics or occupies a separate, identifiable part of the population. Distinctions may be geographic, genetic, behavioral, or social, and subpopulations can form when movement between groups is limited or when individuals preferentially assort.

In ecology and conservation, subpopulations arise in fragmented habitats or metapopulations. Each subpopulation may have different growth rates, mortality, and local extinction risks, and gene flow among subpopulations influences overall population persistence. The concept is central to management units and, in some cases, Evolutionarily Significant Units.

In population genetics, subpopulations are groups with limited interbreeding. Differentiation among subpopulations is quantified by statistics such as F_ST, and patterns of gene flow and drift can lead to local adaptation or divergence.

In epidemiology and public health, subpopulations may differ in risk exposure, susceptibility, and response to interventions. Identifying these groups helps tailor prevention and treatment strategies.

In statistics and demography, subpopulations are defined by conditioning variables (age, sex, region) and are used in stratified analyses, sampling designs, and demographic projections.

Identification methods include genetic assays, tagging and tracking, census or survey data, and spatial clustering. Subpopulations are dynamic, with boundaries that can shift due to migration, environmental change, or social factors.