Evolution and behavioural responses to human‐induced rapid environmental change

Abstract

Almost all organisms live in environments that have been altered, to some degree, by human activities. Because behaviour mediates interactions between an individual and its environment, the ability of organisms to behave appropriately under these new conditions is crucial for determining their immediate success or failure in these modified environments. While hundreds of species are suffering dramatically from these environmental changes, others, such as urbanized and pest species, are doing better than ever. Our goal is to provide insights into explaining such variation. We first summarize the responses of some species to novel situations, including novel risks and resources, habitat loss/fragmentation, pollutants and climate change. Using a sensory ecology approach, we present a mechanistic framework for predicting variation in behavioural responses to environmental change, drawing from models of decision-making processes and an understanding of the selective background against which they evolved. Where immediate behavioural responses are inadequate, learning or evolutionary adaptation may prove useful, although these mechanisms are also constrained by evolutionary history. Although predicting the responses of species to environmental change is difficult, we highlight the need for a better understanding of the role of evolutionary history in shaping individuals’ responses to their environment and provide suggestion for future work.

Ecological traps: current evidence and future directions

“…For example, catchment disturbance, water resource development and agriculture, forestry (10) exotic species (3) human structures (9) hunting, fishing (2) restoration (6) mammal (2) bird (15) arthropod (8) amphibian, reptile (4) cause of ecological trap focal taxa . Animals that encounter multiple forms of HIREC or agents of change are likely to face complex challenges [40,41]. Given these potential complexities, a more mechanistic approach is required to understand why more severe traps are worse for animals, in terms of identifying the cues used to select habitats, and examining how different HIREC activities/agents of change affect preference and fitness in isolation and in combination.…”

Developmental plasticity in vision and behavior may help guppies overcome increased turbidity

“…Human-induced rapid environmental change (HIREC) necessitates similarly rapid adaptive phenotypic shifts in affected organisms (Sih et al 2011). Phenotypic plasticity is the most common mechanism through which organisms achieve phenotypic shifts in response to HIREC (Hendry et al 2008), largely due to the quick responsiveness of highly plastic traits, such as behavior, to environmental input (Sih et al 2010).…”

Ecological effects of pharmaceuticals in aquatic systems—impacts through behavioural alterations

“…The ability of potential prey to correctly assess predation risk is therefore crucial for fitness. Dispersal and migration are also examples of behaviours that have direct importance for population persistence, especially in the face of rapid environmental change [11], as individuals that express more active, bold and/or asocial behaviours tend to be more prone to disperse or migrate [12][13][14][15]. Lastly, among fish, schooling-a behaviour tightly linked to sociality-is directly important [16], as it confuses the predator and thereby increases each schooling individual's chance of survival [17].…”