Eco-evolutionary dynamics

Evolution has traditionally been considered a slow process. In recent years, however, examples of rapid evolution have begun to accumulate, suggesting that evolutionary dynamics (genotype frequency changes) can occur on time scales comparable to ecological dynamics (population size changes), and that both processes can influence each other in what are known as “eco-evolutionary dynamics”. 

A challenge in studying eco-evolutionary dynamics is identifying the conditions under which evolutionary responses will, or will not, impact population dynamics (and vice versa). The gap in our understanding of when selection will or will not drive patterns of eco-evolutionary dynamics hinders our ability to predict whether and how populations will adapt to the rapid environmental change currently faced by many organisms. The group's current primary research focuses on understanding the links between natural selection, micro-evolution and population demography, and their interactions with environmental conditions.

So far, we have investigated these questions using data from a natural population of common terns (Sterna hirundo) located at the Banter See (Germany). However, we are expanding our research to other model systems, such as red flour beetles (Tribolium castaneum), where we test for eco-evolutionary dynamics by means of artificial selection and experimental evolution studies.