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Genetic variations accumulating within populations over generations give rise to biological evolution. Evolutionary changes can result in the formation of novel varieties and entire new species. These changes are responsible for the diverse forms of life inhabiting the planet. The evidence for evolution suggests that all living organisms descended from common ancestors.
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Evolutionary origins for ecological patterns in space.

Mark C Urban1,2, Sharon Y Strauss3, Fanie Pelletier4

  • 1Department of Ecology & Evolutionary Biology, University of Connecticut, Storrs, CT 06278; mark.urban@uconn.edu.

Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America
|July 10, 2020
PubMed
Summary
This summary is machine-generated.

Evolution and ecology interact across spatial scales, influencing population abundances and ecosystem properties. Most often, evolution dampens environmental gradients, smoothing nature's heterogeneity.

Keywords:
eco-evolutionary dynamicslocal adaptationspatial ecology

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Area of Science:

  • Ecology
  • Evolutionary Biology
  • Eco-evolutionary Dynamics

Background:

  • Historically, evolution and ecology were considered independent processes due to assumed vast spatial scales for evolution.
  • Emerging evidence shows evolution operates across spatial scales, including fine scales, suggesting frequent eco-evolutionary interactions.
  • Spatial ecological patterns are influenced by mechanisms that also drive evolutionary divergence.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To synthesize 500 eco-evolutionary studies.
  • To develop a predictive framework for understanding how evolution influences spatial ecological patterns.
  • To determine when evolution amplifies, dampens, or creates ecological patterns.

Main Methods:

  • Meta-analysis of 500 eco-evolutionary studies.
  • Development of a predictive framework for eco-evolutionary interactions.
  • Identification of mechanisms mediating evolutionary effects on spatial ecology.

Main Results:

  • Local adaptation significantly alters spatial variations in population abundances and ecosystem properties.
  • 14 mechanisms identified that mediate the impact of evolution on spatial ecological patterns.
  • Evolution can amplify environmental variation (e.g., resource uptake, patch selection) or create patterns via keystone species.
  • Most frequently, evolution dampens environmental gradients by evening out fitness across environments.

Conclusions:

  • Evolution generally smooths ecological heterogeneity, making natural systems appear less variable.
  • Eco-evolutionary interactions are crucial for a comprehensive understanding of biological patterns in space and time.
  • Future research should focus on integrating eco-evolutionary dynamics for predictive biological models.