Feedbacks in ecology and evolution

Pausas, Juli G.; Bond, William J.

doi:10.1016/j.tree.2022.03.008

Cited by 29 publications

(23 citation statements)

References 73 publications

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“…Very much in parallel to the literature focusing on simultaneously fast ecological and evolutionary dynamics, eco‐evolutionary interactions have also been studied when both ecological and evolutionary dynamics are slow (for a recent review see Pausas & Bond, 2022). Here, the ecological dynamics occur at much longer timescales than demography because they are defined by slow geological and geomorphological settings that impact abiotic ecosystem properties.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Building on Hutchinson's theatre analogy, time is now the ‘theatre’ in which ecology and evolution are two interacting players (see also Reznick, 2016). In its extremes, this time space includes: (a) fast eco‐evolution sensu Bassar et al (2021) where evolution is fast enough to impact fast ecology (demography) and (d) slow eco‐evolution, such as when geomorphological conditions provide an ecological opportunity for new species to emerge and impact geomorphology in a feedback loop (Butterfield, 2017; Corenblit et al, 2011; Pausas & Bond, 2022). Two additional extreme cases with mismatching timescales exist: (b) classical ecosystem ecology where evolution is too slow to immediately impact fast ecological dynamics (ecology is the main player) and (c) evolution is faster than ecology which could imply rapid adaptation to relatively slower environmental changes and, ultimately, neutral evolutionary dynamics (evolution is the main player).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Eco‐evolution from deep time to contemporary dynamics: The role of timescales and rate modulators

Fronhofer,

Corenblit,

Deshpande

et al. 2023

Ecology Letters

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Eco‐evolutionary dynamics, or eco‐evolution for short, are often thought to involve rapid demography (ecology) and equally rapid heritable phenotypic changes (evolution) leading to novel, emergent system behaviours. We argue that this focus on contemporary dynamics is too narrow: Eco‐evolution should be extended, first, beyond pure demography to include all environmental dimensions and, second, to include slow eco‐evolution which unfolds over thousands or millions of years. This extension allows us to conceptualise biological systems as occupying a two‐dimensional time space along axes that capture the speed of ecology and evolution. Using Hutchinson's analogy: Time is the ‘theatre’ in which ecology and evolution are two interacting ‘players’. Eco‐evolutionary systems are therefore dynamic: We identify modulators of ecological and evolutionary rates, like temperature or sensitivity to mutation, which can change the speed of ecology and evolution, and hence impact eco‐evolution. Environmental change may synchronise the speed of ecology and evolution via these rate modulators, increasing the occurrence of eco‐evolution and emergent system behaviours. This represents substantial challenges for prediction, especially in the context of global change. Our perspective attempts to integrate ecology and evolution across disciplines, from gene‐regulatory networks to geomorphology and across timescales, from today to deep time.

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Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Eco‐evolution from deep time to contemporary dynamics: The role of timescales and rate modulators

Fronhofer,

Corenblit,

Deshpande

et al. 2023

Ecology Letters

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“…Plants modify their environment creating feedbacks that enhance their persistence (niche construction; Pausas & Bond, 2022). This enhanced persistence is likely at the extremes of the consumer–resource regulation continuum where there is specialisation (flammable grasses persist because of fire; shade‐tolerant plants persist because of shade).…”

Section: Principles From Savanna Ecologymentioning

confidence: 99%

“…The ecology of open ecosystems has undergone a conceptual transformation during the last 20 years (see Bond, 2019). Alternative stable state theory is a key development that emphasises the dynamism between open and closed systems, highlights the importance of stabilising feedback processes and stresses the functional differences that arise due to contrasting regulatory processes in each state (Pausas & Bond, 2022). However, the forest–savanna dichotomy, as presented under the alternative stable state framework (Fig.…”

Section: Forest or Closed‐canopy Woodland?mentioning

confidence: 99%

Solutions to fire and shade: resprouting, growing tall and the origin of Eurasian temperate broadleaved forest

Adie

Lawes

2022

Biological Reviews

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Tree species of Eurasian broadleaved forest possess two divergent trait syndromes with contrasting patterns of resource allocation adapted to different selection environments: short‐stature basal resprouters that divert resources to a bud bank adapted to frequent and severe disturbances such as fire and herbivory, and tall trees that delay reproduction by investing in rapid height growth to escape shading. Drawing on theory developed in savanna ecosystems, we propose a conceptual framework showing that the possession of contrasting trait syndromes is essential for the persistence of broadleaved trees in an open ecosystem that burns. Consistent with this hypothesis, trees of modern Eurasian broadleaved forest bear a suite of traits that are adaptive to surface and crown‐fire regimes. We contend that limited opportunities in grassland restricts recruitment to disturbance‐free refugia, and en masse establishment creates a wooded environment where shade limits the growth of light‐demanding savanna plants. Rapid height growth, which involves investment in structural support and the switch from a multi‐stemmed to a monopodial growth form, is adaptive in this shaded environment. Although clustering reduces surface fuel loads, these establishment nuclei are vulnerable to high‐intensity crown fires. The lethal effects of canopy fire are avoided by seasonal leaf shedding, and aerial resprouting enhances rapid post‐fire recovery of photosynthetic capacity. While these woody formations satisfy the structural definition of forest, their constituents are clearly derived from savanna. Contrasting trait syndromes thus represent the shift from consumer to resource regulation in savanna ecosystems. Consistent with global trends, the diversification of most contemporary broadleaved taxa coincided with the spread of grasslands, a surge in fire activity and a decline in wooded ecosystems in the late Miocene–Pliocene. Recognition that Eurasian broadleaved forest has savanna origins and persists as an alternative state with adjacent grassy ecosystems has far‐reaching management implications in accordance with functional rather than structural criteria. Shade is a severe constraint to the regeneration and growth of both woody and herbaceous growth forms in consumer‐regulated ecosystems. However, these ecosystems are highly resilient to disturbance, an essential process that maintains diversity especially among the species‐rich herbaceous component that is vulnerable to shading when consumer behaviour is altered.

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“…Plants show plastic trait responses to many shifts in environmental conditions (Fransen et al, 1998; Gratani, 2014; Tobner et al, 2013; Valverde‐Barrantes et al, 2013; Weemstra et al, 2020), and especially to variations in soil nutrient levels (Adams et al, 2013; Cahill & McNickle, 2011) and spatial distribution (Cahill et al, 2010; Drew, 1975; Hodge, 2004). It is generally assumed that soil microbes mediate species root traits (Baxendale et al, 2014; Cortois et al, 2016; Rutten & Allan, 2022; Rutten & Gómez‐Aparicio, 2018) and play key role in ecological succession, species invasion or communities dynamics (Mack et al, 2019; Mohan et al, 2014; Pausas & Bond, 2022; Rigg et al, 2016). However, it is difficult to capture such plastic plant trait responses and disentangle the signals from mycorrhizal symbiont availability or soil fertility.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Contrasted root trait responses between saplings of an arbuscular and an ectomycorrhizal tree species in open field compared to forest conditions

et al. 2023

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1. Plant nutrient acquisition strategies range along a spectrum from autonomous foraging to investment in cooperative foraging through mycorrhizal associations.However, in temperate ecosystems, many plant species encounter contrasted levels of symbiont availability in open fields versus closed forests. Little is known about how fungal partner availability may be associated with intraspecific variation in other root foraging traits in natural settings.2. Here, we addressed this issue by sampling saplings from two tree species: the arbuscular mycorrhizal (AM) Acer rubrum and the ectomycorrhizal (ECM) Quercus rubra from open fields (AM dominated) and adjacent forest plots (ECM dominated). For each species and environment, we measured morphological, architectural and symbiotic root traits. 3.For the open field, Quercus had greater specific root length (SRL) while Acer had higher AM colonization and root diameter. In the closed forest, the opposite pattern was observed, namely Quercus had higher ECM colonization and Acer greater SRL.4. Both species showed evidence of a shift towards autonomous root foraging in the habitat with low expected symbiont abundance (open field for Quercus and forest for Acer). Although the confounding effects of site abiotic properties could not be strictly controlled in this study, these results suggest that plants might adjust root foraging traits according to local habitat conditions. 5. Synthesis: Our results shed new light on the intraspecific variation in plant position along the so-called 'collaboration gradient', and suggest that mycorrhizal symbiont availability, along with other factors such as competition and site properties, may contribute to this variation.

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Feedbacks in ecology and evolution

Cited by 29 publications

References 73 publications

Eco‐evolution from deep time to contemporary dynamics: The role of timescales and rate modulators

Eco‐evolution from deep time to contemporary dynamics: The role of timescales and rate modulators

Solutions to fire and shade: resprouting, growing tall and the origin of Eurasian temperate broadleaved forest

Contrasted root trait responses between saplings of an arbuscular and an ectomycorrhizal tree species in open field compared to forest conditions

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