Eco-evolutionary dynamics in freshwater systems

Abstract

There is an increasing recognition that evolutionary dynamics may occur at timescales that are sufficiently rapid to impact ecological responses to environmental change and influence ecological dynamics. In the development of the emerging paradigm of eco-evolutionary dynamics, studies of freshwater organisms have been very important. Here we highlight a number of key observations and achievements, and point to remaining challenges.

Keywords

• eco-evolutionary feedbacks, evolving metacommunities, rapid evolution, population dynamics, community ecology, aquatic systems.