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Plasticity in climate change responses
Angelika Stollewerk1, Pavel Kratina1, Arnaud Sentis2
1Department of Biology, School of Biological and Behavioural Sciences, Queen Mary University of London, Mile End Rd, London, E1 4NS, UK.
Summary
Phenotypic plasticity helps organisms adapt to climate change, but its role is complex and may decrease under future warming. This review explores plasticity mechanisms and proposes a framework for future research on its adaptive significance.
Area of Science:
- Ecology
- Evolutionary Biology
- Climate Change Science
Background:
- Climate change induces and modulates phenotypic plasticity.
- Understanding phenotypic plasticity's adaptive role in climate change is limited.
- Plasticity impacts individuals, populations, and communities.
Purpose of the Study:
- Dissect mechanisms and impact of phenotypic plasticity under climate change.
- Propose a conceptual framework for studying plasticity across biological levels.
- Identify research gaps to advance understanding of plasticity and climate change.
Main Methods:
- Literature review and synthesis.
- Conceptual framework development.
- Identification of research questions.
Main Results:
- Phenotypic plasticity influences individual, population, and community dynamics.
- Climate change alters the role and pathways of phenotypic plasticity.
- Certain plasticity pathways (e.g., irreversible, anticipatory) may be reduced by climate change.
Conclusions:
- Phenotypic plasticity is a key response to climate change, but its adaptive capacity may be constrained.
- An integrated framework is needed to study plasticity across organizational levels.
- Further research is crucial to understand plasticity's role in climate change adaptation.
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