What is bottle neck effect?

The bottleneck effect is a genetic phenomenon that occurs when a population's size is significantly reduced for at least one generation, often due to environmental events like natural disasters or human activities. This drastic reduction can lead to a loss of genetic diversity, as only a small number of individuals contribute to the future gene pool. As a result, the surviving population may exhibit reduced adaptability and increased vulnerability to extinction. Over time, the genetic characteristics of the population may diverge from the original population, leading to distinct evolutionary paths.