Climate change, adaptation, and phenotypic plasticity: the problem and the evidence

Evolutionary Applications, Journal Year: 2014, Volume and Issue: 7(1), P. 1 - 14

Published: Jan. 1, 2014

Abstract Many studies have recorded phenotypic changes in natural populations and attributed them to climate change. However, controversy uncertainty has arisen around three levels of inference such studies. First, it proven difficult conclusively distinguish whether are genetically based or the result plasticity. Second, not change is adaptive usually assumed rather than tested. Third, inferences that specific causal agent rarely involved testing – exclusion other potential drivers. We here review various ways which above been attempted, evaluate strength support each approach can provide. This methodological assessment sets stage for 11 accompanying articles attempt comprehensive syntheses what currently known about responses a variety taxa theory. Summarizing relying on results these reviews, we arrive at conclusion evidence genetic adaptation found some systems, but still relatively scarce. Most importantly, clear more needed must employ better inferential methods before general conclusions be drawn. Overall, hope present paper special issue provide inspiration future research guidelines best practices its execution.

Language: Английский

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Evolutionary and plastic responses to climate change in terrestrial plant populations

Evolutionary Applications, Journal Year: 2013, Volume and Issue: 7(1), P. 123 - 139

Published: Oct. 14, 2013

Abstract As climate change progresses, we are observing widespread changes in phenotypes many plant populations. Whether these phenotypic directly caused by change, and whether they result from plasticity or evolution, active areas of investigation. Here, review terrestrial studies addressing questions. Plastic evolutionary responses to clearly occurring. Of the 38 that met our criteria for inclusion, all found plastic responses, with 26 showing both. These however, may be insufficient keep pace as indicated eight 12 examined this directly. There is also mixed evidence adaptive, contemporary climatic changes. We discuss factors will likely influence extent including patterns environmental changes, species’ life history characteristics generation time breeding system, degree direction gene flow. Future standardized methodologies, especially those use direct approaches assessing over time, sharing data through public databases, facilitate better predictions capacity populations respond rapid change.

Language: Английский

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Adaptive responses of animals to climate change are most likely insufficient

Nature Communications, Journal Year: 2019, Volume and Issue: 10(1)

Published: July 23, 2019

Abstract Biological responses to climate change have been widely documented across taxa and regions, but it remains unclear whether species are maintaining a good match between phenotype environment, i.e. observed trait changes adaptive. Here we reviewed 10,090 abstracts extracted data from 71 studies reported in 58 relevant publications, assess quantitatively phenotypic associated with adaptive animals. A meta-analysis focussing on birds, the taxon best represented our dataset, suggests that global warming has not systematically affected morphological traits, advanced phenological traits. We demonstrate these advances for some species, imperfect as evidenced by consistent selection earlier timing. Application of theoretical model indicates evolutionary load imposed incomplete ongoing may already be threatening persistence species.

Language: Английский

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Body shrinkage due to Arctic warming reduces red knot fitness in tropical wintering range

Science, Journal Year: 2016, Volume and Issue: 352(6287), P. 819 - 821

Published: May 12, 2016

Consequences conferred at a distance Migratory animals have adapted to life in multiple, sometimes very different environments. Thus, they may show particularly complex responses as climates rapidly change. Van Gils et al. that body size red knot birds has been decreasing their Arctic breeding ground warms (see the Perspective by Wikelski and Tertitski). However, real toll of this change appears not changing northern part range but apparently more stable tropical wintering range. The resulting smaller, short-billed difficulty reaching major food source, deeply buried mollusks, which decreases survival born during warm years. Science , issue p. 819 ; see also 775

Language: Английский

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Shared morphological consequences of global warming in North American migratory birds

Ecology Letters, Journal Year: 2019, Volume and Issue: 23(2), P. 316 - 325

Published: Dec. 4, 2019

Increasing temperatures associated with climate change are predicted to cause reductions in body size, a key determinant of animal physiology and ecology. Using four-decade specimen series 70 716 individuals 52 North American migratory bird species, we demonstrate that increasing annual summer temperature over the 40-year period predicts consistent size across these diverse taxa. Concurrently, wing length - an index shape impacts numerous aspects avian ecology behaviour has consistently increased species. Our findings suggest warming-induced reduction is general response change, reveal similarly unexpected shift shape. We hypothesise represents compensatory adaptation maintain migration as have metabolic cost flight. An improved understanding morphological changes important for predicting biotic responses global change.

Language: Английский

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Evolutionary and plastic responses of freshwater invertebrates to climate change: realized patterns and future potential

Evolutionary Applications, Journal Year: 2013, Volume and Issue: 7(1), P. 42 - 55

Published: Oct. 10, 2013

Abstract We integrated the evidence for evolutionary and plastic trait changes in situ response to climate change freshwater invertebrates (aquatic insects zooplankton). The synthesis on expected reductions hydroperiod increases salinity indicated little adaptive, plastic, genetic local adaptation. With respect responses temperature, there are many studies temporal phenology body size wild that believed be driven by temperature increases, but is a general lack of rigorous demonstration whether these genetically based, causally change. Current proof under stems from limited set common garden experiments replicated time. Experimental thermal evolution warming associated with space‐for‐time substitutions along latitudinal gradients indicate besides changes, also phenotypic plasticity likely contribute observed aquatic invertebrates. Apart adjustments, photoperiod adjustments widespread may even dominate phenological shifts.

Language: Английский

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Climate change and mammals: evolutionary versus plastic responses

Evolutionary Applications, Journal Year: 2013, Volume and Issue: 7(1), P. 29 - 41

Published: Dec. 13, 2013

Phenotypic plasticity and microevolution are the two primary means by which organisms respond adaptively to local conditions. While these mechanisms not mutually exclusive, their relative magnitudes will influence both rate of, ability sustain, phenotypic responses climate change. We review accounts of recent changes in wild mammal populations with purpose critically evaluating following: (i) whether change has been identified as causal mechanism producing observed change; (ii) is adaptive; (iii) influences evolution and/or underlying The available data for mammals scant. found twelve studies that report phenology, body weight or litter size. In all cases, response was primarily due plasticity. Only one study (of advancing parturition dates American red squirrels) provided convincing evidence contemporary evolution. Subsequently, however, shown be this shift. also summarize have evolutionary potential (i.e. trait heritable under selection) traits putative associations discuss future directions need undertaken before a conclusive demonstration plastic can made.

Language: Английский

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Impacts of recent climate change on terrestrial flora and fauna: Some emerging Australian examples

Austral Ecology, Journal Year: 2018, Volume and Issue: 44(1), P. 3 - 27

Published: Nov. 20, 2018

Abstract The effects of anthropogenic climate change on biodiversity are well known for some high‐profile Australian marine systems, including coral bleaching and kelp forest devastation. Less well‐published the impacts being observed in terrestrial ecosystems, although ecological models have predicted substantial changes likely. Detecting attributing to factors is difficult due importance extreme conditions, noisy nature short‐term data collected with limited resources, complexities introduced by biotic interactions. Here, we provide a suite case studies that considered possible systems. Our intention diverse collection stories illustrating how flora fauna likely responding direct indirect change. We aim raise awareness rather than be comprehensive. include covering canopy dieback forests, compositional shifts vegetation, positive feedbacks between climate, vegetation disturbance regimes, local extinctions plants, size birds, phenological reproduction shifting interactions threaten communities endangered species. Some these clear cut, others less clearly connected change; however, all important providing insights into future state ecosystems. also highlight management issues relevant conserving ecosystems face

Language: Английский

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Archiving Primary Data: Solutions for Long-Term Studies

Trends in Ecology & Evolution, Journal Year: 2015, Volume and Issue: 30(10), P. 581 - 589

Published: Sept. 25, 2015

Language: Английский

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Responses of large mammals to climate change

Temperature, Journal Year: 2014, Volume and Issue: 1(2), P. 115 - 127

Published: July 21, 2014

Most large terrestrial mammals, including the charismatic species so important for ecotourism, do not have luxury of rapid micro-evolution or sufficient range shifts as strategies adjusting to climate change. The rate change is too fast genetic adaptation occur in mammals with longevities decades, typical and landscape fragmentation population by humans widespread allow spontaneous leaving only expression latent phenotypic plasticity counter effects includes anatomical variation within same species, changes phenology, employment intrinsic physiological behavioral capacity that can buffer an animal against Whether will be realized unknown, because little known about efficacy plasticity, particularly mammals. Future research biology requires measurement characteristics many identified free-living individual animals long periods, probably us detect whether cope

Language: Английский

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