Evolution between two competing macrophyte populations along a resource gradient leads to collapse in a bistable lake...

Area of Science:

• Ecology
• Evolutionary Biology
• Environmental Science

Background:

• Shallow lake ecosystems can abruptly shift from clear to turbid states due to eutrophication.
• The influence of evolutionary processes and trait variation on these ecological tipping points is not well understood.
• Eco-evolutionary feedbacks are crucial for understanding transitions in bistable ecosystems.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the role of eco-evolutionary feedbacks in shallow lake ecosystems.
• To analyze how trait evolution in macrophytes affects competition for light and nutrients.
• To understand the impact of trait variation on ecological tipping points and alternative stable states.

Main Methods:

• Utilized Adaptive Dynamics and a structured population model.
• Analyzed the evolution of growth depth in submerged and floating macrophyte populations.
• Examined asymmetric competition for nutrients and light along a nutrient diffusion gradient.

Main Results:

• Trait evolution can drive complex dynamics such as evolutionary oscillations, diversification, and evolutionary suicide.
• Co-evolution between competing macrophyte populations has a stabilizing effect.
• The dynamics were not significantly altered when only one population evolved compared to co-evolution.

Conclusions:

• Evolutionary processes play a significant role in the dynamics of shallow lake ecosystems.
• Trait evolution can influence the stability and thresholds of alternative states in bistable systems.
• Understanding eco-evolutionary dynamics is key to managing and predicting ecological shifts.