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Resurrection of Dormant Daphnia magna: Protocol and Applications
Published on: January 19, 2018
Interacting effects of phenotypic plasticity and evolution on population persistence in a changing climate
Thomas E Reed1, Daniel E Schindler, Robin S Waples
1School of Aquatic and Fishery Sciences, University of Washington, 1122 NE Boat Street, Seattle, WA 98105, U.S.A. tomreed@u.washington.edu
Summary
Climate change impacts organisms and populations by altering traits and dynamics. Understanding plasticity, evolution, and demography is crucial for predicting species persistence in a changing environment.
Area of Science:
- Ecology
- Evolutionary Biology
- Climate Change Science
Background:
- Climate change profoundly affects individual organisms (development, physiology, behavior, fitness) and populations (genetics, vital rates, dynamics).
- Ecological and evolutionary responses are critical for understanding population persistence under changing climate conditions.
Purpose of the Study:
- To clarify the interconnectedness of selection, phenotypic plasticity, and demography in the context of climate change.
- To identify key factors influencing population persistence under climate change.
Main Methods:
- Synthesized theoretical frameworks and recent empirical studies on plants and animals.
- Identified critical ecological and evolutionary factors for population persistence.
Main Results:
- Key factors include the rate and pattern of climate change, organismal life history, phenotypic plasticity, adaptive genetic variation, dispersal, and subpopulation connectivity.
- Current understanding of plasticity limits and evolutionary potential, and their feedback with demographic responses, is insufficient.
Conclusions:
- Integrated knowledge of coupled ecological and evolutionary mechanisms is essential for predicting population and species resilience and persistence.
- Further research is needed to understand the limits of adaptation and the interplay between ecological and evolutionary processes.
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