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Figure 1.
Eco-evolutionary dynamics describe interactions between ecology and evolution occurring on contemporary time scales
The attributes of populations, communities, and ecosystems influence phenotypes via selection and plasticity (green arrows). Selection is translated into evolutionary change via genetic inheritance (blue arrows). The resulting phenotypes can then influence the attributes of populations, communities, and ecosystems (red arrows). These effects can cascade among levels of ecological organization via ecological effects such as trophic interactions (black arrows). Note that plasticity can influence ecology by shaping phenotypes in the absence of genetic change. Eco-evolutionary feedbacks describe the effects of contemporary evolution on ecological dynamics and the reciprocal effects of ecology on the trajectory of evolution (loops represented by different dashed lines). Evidence for eco-evolutionary feedbacks comes from (a) butterflies (Melitaea cinxia) at the population level [10,11], (b) fish (Alosa pseudoharengus) at the community level [15-17], and (c) trees (Populus spp.) at the ecosystem level [13,23]. Most studies to date have relied on evolutionary inferences drawn from phenotypes. It remains a major challenge to more fully integrate molecular genetic data into the study of eco-evolutionary dynamics in the wild (but see [10,11]). Photo credits: (a) Tari Haahtela, (b) Brian Gratwicke, and (c) Joe Bailey. |
