Reshaping the Tree of Life: ecological implications of evolution in the Anthropocene

Abstract

Novel in their scope and intensity, human‐mediated changes in genetic diversity through directed gene transfer technologies and longer standing human‐driven selective pressures, such as land‐use change, species introductions, mass extinctions, and broad application of antibiotics, are combining to reorganize mechanisms of evolution. The evolutionary consequences of anthropogenic change can be observed across levels of biological organization and are influencing the rate of micro‐ and macroevolutionary changes, as well as feedback among them. This may have large‐scale effects on the provisioning of ecosystem services, food security, and human health. Here, we summarize several of the ecological implications of human modification of evolutionary dynamics, focusing specifically on emerging molecular technologies, to highlight some of the challenges in predicting subsequent changes in the world’s ecosystems.

Trends of Eurasian Perch (Perca fluviatilis) mtDNA ATP6 Region Genetic Diversity within the Hydro-Systems of the Eastern Part of the Baltic Sea in the Anthropocene

“…The 21st century is the peak of the Anthropocene, as all terrestrial and aquatic ecosystems in the world are directly or indirectly affected by various human activities [1,2]. One of the most noticeable anthropogenic activities is associated with the exploitation of energy resources [3,4].…”