What effect does inbreeding have on a population?

Inbreeding typically reduces genetic diversity within a population by increasing the likelihood that individuals will inherit identical alleles from a common ancestor. This lack of genetic variation can lead to the expression of deleterious recessive traits, which can negatively impact the overall fitness of the population. As related individuals mate, the chances of inheriting harmful genetic traits increase, leading to a decline in health, reproductive success, and adaptability to environmental changes. Consequently, the fitness of the population is decreased, making it less resilient to diseases and environmental stressors, which can ultimately threaten the population's survival.