Population genetics and demography unite ecology and evolution

Trends in Ecology and Evolution
By: , and 

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Abstract

The interplay of ecology and evolution has been a rich area of research for decades. A surge of interest in this area was catalyzed by the observation that evolution by natural selection can operate at the same contemporary timescales as ecological dynamics. Specifically, recent eco-evolutionary research focuses on how rapid adaptation influences ecology, and vice versa. Evolution by non-adaptive forces also occurs quickly, with ecological consequences, but understanding the full scope of ecology–evolution (eco–evo) interactions requires explicitly addressing population-level processes – genetic and demographic. We show the strong ecological effects of non-adaptive evolutionary forces and, more broadly, the value of population-level research for gaining a mechanistic understanding of eco–evo interactions. The breadth of eco-evolutionary research should expand to incorporate the breadth of evolution itself.

Publication type Article
Publication Subtype Journal Article
Title Population genetics and demography unite ecology and evolution
Series title Trends in Ecology and Evolution
DOI 10.1016/j.tree.2016.12.002
Volume 32
Issue 2
Year Published 2017
Language English
Publisher Elsevier
Contributing office(s) Northern Rocky Mountain Science Center
Description 12 p.
First page 141
Last page 152
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