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Eco-evolutionary dynamics of range expansion
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Understanding the movement of species’ ranges is a classic ecological problem
that takes on urgency in this era of global change. Historically treated as a purely ecological
process, range expansion is now understood to involve eco-evolutionary feedbacks due to spatial
genetic structure that emerges as populations spread.We synthesize empirical and theoretical
work on the eco-evolutionary dynamics of range expansion, with emphasis on bridging
directional, deterministic processes that favor evolved increases in dispersal and demographic
traits with stochastic processes that lead to the random fixation of alleles and traits. We
develop a framework for understanding the joint influence of these processes in changing the
mean and variance of expansion speed and its underlying traits. Our synthesis of recent laboratory
experiments supports the consistent role of evolution in accelerating expansion speed on
average, and highlights unexpected diversity in how evolution can influence variability in
speed: results not well predicted by current theory. We discuss and evaluate support for three
classes of modifiers of eco-evolutionary range dynamics (landscape context, trait genetics, and
biotic interactions), identify emerging themes, and suggest new directions for future work in a
field that stands to increase in relevance as populations move in response to global change. -
- Date created
- 2020-01-01
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- Type of Item
- Article (Published)